A rigging plan requires lifting a 4,000 kg structural steel beam. The available slings are wire rope slings with a vertical WLL of 2,500 kg each. The plan calls for a two-leg bridle hitch with an included angle of 90 degrees. Can these slings be used safely?

Question: A rigging plan requires lifting a 4,000 kg structural steel beam. The available slings are wire rope slings with a vertical WLL of 2,500 kg each. The plan calls for a two-leg bridle hitch with an included angle of 90 degrees. Can these slings be used safely?

Answer options:

• Yes, as the combined WLL is sufficient. ✅ No, the sling tension will exceed the WLL of each sling.
• Yes, because the angle is less than 120 degrees.
• No, wire rope slings are not suitable for structural steel.

Correct answer: No, the sling tension will exceed the WLL of each sling.

Explanation: To calculate the tension on each sling leg for a two-leg bridle hitch, the formula is (Load Weight / Number of Slings) / cos(angle from vertical). Here, the included angle is 90 degrees, meaning each sling is at 45 degrees from the vertical. So, (4,000 kg / 2) / cos(45°) = 2,000 kg / 0.707 = 2,828 kg. Since the tension (2,828 kg) exceeds the WLL of each sling (2,500 kg), these slings cannot be used safely. Distractor A is incorrect because you must consider the angle, not just simply sum the WLLs.