Free template · PDF
Free chain sling inspection checklist
Free chain sling inspection checklist covering link wear, pitch elongation, end fittings and discard per AS 3775, AS 2321 and ASME B30.9.
Loading PDF page...
Read the form fields
27 checks · 6 sections · Sign-off
27 checks
The fields in the printable form, in a view that fits your screen.
- Site / Gear box ID
- Chain sling serial
- Configuration (legs)
- Chain grade (80/100/120)
- WLL by hitch type
- Manufacturer
- Competent person name
- Inspection date
Identification & rating
Sling configuration
Chain wear measurement
Damage & deformation
Master link & end fittings
Retirement & records
Declaration & Sign-Off
I confirm that all items have been inspected/completed as indicated above. Any defects or concerns have been noted and reported.
Completed By
Printed name · Signature · Date
Reviewed / Approved By
Printed name · Signature · Date
The MapTrack chain sling inspection checklist contains 27 checks across 6 sections.
Commercial Director
Make this form your own
Add your fields and logo. Give your team a form they can use on site.
Free 30-day trial. No credit card. Work email needed.
Customise & use this form now for free
“MapTrack beat them all in every aspect.”
Vincent Stone · HSEQ Advisor, Concept TanksAfter signup: customise the template, then save and publish it for your team.
General guidance only. Check the form against your equipment manual, site procedures and local requirements before using it.
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack chain sling inspection checklist contains 27 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Identification & rating, Sling configuration, Chain wear measurement, Damage & deformation, Master link & end fittings, Retirement & records.
- Chain sling identification: master link tag with WLL by hitch type and number of legs, chain grade (80/100/120), manufacturer mark, batch and serial number, certification standard, all clearly legible
- Sling configuration confirmation: single-leg, two-leg, three-leg or four-leg, leg lengths, end-fittings (sling hook, foundry hook, oblong link, shortener, connecting link) confirmed against the rated configuration
- Chain link wear at bearing surface: vernier or chain wear gauge measurement at the bearing point of each link against the OEM nominal link bar diameter, with 10 percent reduction as the typical discard threshold
What is a chain sling inspection checklist?
A chain sling inspection checklist is the component-level record used by a competent person to inspect each lifting chain sling in service and decide whether it stays in the gear box, goes on the watch list, or is retired and destroyed. The inspection covers single-leg, two-leg, three-leg and four-leg chain sling assemblies built from grade 80, grade 100 or grade 120 alloy steel chain, with mechanical end-fittings including master links, hooks, oblong links, shorteners and connecting links. Identification is the first step because a sling without a legible manufacturer mark, WLL by hitch type and number of legs, chain grade, batch number and certification standard is non-compliant under AS 3775 regardless of measurable condition. Key technical measurements include link wear at the bearing surface where a 10 percent reduction against the original link bar diameter is the typical discard threshold, pitch elongation over a 5-link or 11-link reference length where a 5 percent elongation is the typical discard threshold, link gouging, weld defects, master link wear, end-fitting condition for hooks, oblong links and shorteners, and a visual walk for twisted or bent links, heat exposure marks and chain straightness on multi-leg slings where leg balance must be confirmed.
AS 3775 (Chain slings - Grade T) is the Australian standard for grade T (80/100) chain slings, AS 2321 (Round-link steel chain for lifting purposes) covers the chain material itself, ASME B30.9 (Slings) is the international reference that most OEM and import chain sling manufacturers point to and covers webbing, round and chain slings together, and WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 carries the PCBU plant inspection duty. A chain sling retired from service is physically destroyed by cutting through the master link or a chain link with hydraulic cutters because the chain sling is a load-bearing assembly and the cost of a retired sling re-entering service is catastrophic. Heat exposure marks on the chain are an immediate discard criteria because the heat affects the alloy steel temper in ways that cannot be guaranteed by visual inspection. A printed checklist supports the rigger inspector at the gear box, and a digital record in MapTrack ties each chain sling to its serial so the inspection cadence runs on the sling itself rather than the batch, which matches how chain slings are typically registered.
Learn more about compliance and inspections in MapTrack.
Choose the format that fits your team
Download the PDF
Use the original printable form for a paper workflow. Check it against your equipment and site procedure before the job.
Keep completed copies in your own record system and arrange any follow-up through your normal process.
Download free PDFCustomise a form in MapTrack
Start a free trial, adjust the digital form to your workflow, then save and publish it for your team to use.
Your account uses the digital template. Sample answers on this page and completed PDF records aren't imported automatically.
Customise & use this form now for freeFree 30-day trial. No credit card. Work email needed.
Benefits of using this chain sling inspection checklist
- Discard-criteria accountability: Each sling decision is signed against the competent inspector who measured link wear and pitch elongation, not a generic gear-box signature
- AS 3775 and ASME B30.9 alignment: The checklist captures the exact discard criteria from both standards so audits and OEM warranty claims are straightforward
- Per-sling traceability: Chain slings are inspected by individual serial rather than batch because they are higher-value assemblies that warrant per-asset tracking
- Heat exposure interception: Heat exposure marks on the alloy chain are an immediate discard criteria and the checklist makes this explicit
- Multi-leg balance assurance: On two, three and four-leg slings the leg balance and master link condition is verified per inspection
- Destruction discipline: Retired slings are cut through the master link or a chain link with hydraulic cutters and photographed before disposal
- Audit-ready evidence: A stamped, dated per-sling record satisfies the WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 expectation for a competent-person inspection layer over operator pre-starts
What to include in a chain sling inspection checklist
- Chain sling identification: master link tag with WLL by hitch type and number of legs, chain grade (80/100/120), manufacturer mark, batch and serial number, certification standard, all clearly legible
- Sling configuration confirmation: single-leg, two-leg, three-leg or four-leg, leg lengths, end-fittings (sling hook, foundry hook, oblong link, shortener, connecting link) confirmed against the rated configuration
- Chain link wear at bearing surface: vernier or chain wear gauge measurement at the bearing point of each link against the OEM nominal link bar diameter, with 10 percent reduction as the typical discard threshold
- Pitch elongation: measurement over a 5-link or 11-link reference length against the OEM nominal, with 5 percent elongation as the typical discard threshold per AS 3775
- Twisted or bent links: visual walk along each leg looking for twisted, bent, sprung or distorted links indicating shock load or side load damage
- Gouging, nicking and weld defects: surface damage on each link inspected against discard criteria with weld splatter, arc burn, gouging and cracked welds all flagged
- Heat exposure marks: paint discolouration, blue or straw colour, scale formation or any indication of heat exposure above the chain temper limit is immediate grounds for retirement
- Master link condition: master link inspected for wear, deformation, cracking and pin or weld defects, with the same wear criteria as the chain links
- End-fitting condition: sling hook (latch function, throat opening, hook twist), foundry hook, oblong link, shortener and connecting link inspected against their respective discard criteria
- Multi-leg leg balance: on two, three and four-leg slings, leg balance confirmed with all legs of equal length unloaded and no twist or asymmetry under tension
- Lubrication and corrosion: light lubrication coverage to manufacturer specification, corrosion documented and graded against discard criteria
- End-of-life decision: keep in service, watch list with shorter interval, or retire and destroy now (cut through master link or chain link with hydraulic cutters)
How to use this chain sling inspection checklist
1. Plan the inspection and set up the bench
pull the chain sling register including serial numbers, install dates and previous inspection records, set up a clean inspection bench with a flat surface, OEM specification sheet, vernier callipers, chain wear gauge, camera, retirement tag stickers and hydraulic cutters for destruction of retired slings
2. Identify each sling and check tag legibility
confirm master link tag with WLL by hitch type and number of legs, chain grade (80/100/120), manufacturer mark, batch and serial number, certification standard are all legible without doubt, retire any sling where any one of these marks is unreadable, photograph the tag for the register
3. Confirm sling configuration
confirm single-leg, two-leg, three-leg or four-leg, leg lengths and end-fittings (sling hook, foundry hook, oblong link, shortener, connecting link) against the rated configuration, flag any sling being used outside its rated configuration
4. Measure link wear at bearing surface
lay the sling flat and use vernier callipers or a chain wear gauge to measure the link bar diameter at the bearing point of each link against the OEM nominal, retire the sling where any link is at or beyond the 10 percent reduction threshold
5. Measure pitch elongation
measure over a 5-link or 11-link reference length against the OEM nominal, with 5 percent elongation as the typical discard threshold per AS 3775, repeat the measurement at multiple positions along each leg and trend against the previous inspection
6. Walk the chain for twisted, bent and damaged links
visually walk each leg looking for twisted, bent, sprung or distorted links indicating shock or side load damage, surface gouging, nicking, weld splatter, arc burn and cracked welds, retire on any indication that meets discard criteria
7. Inspect for heat exposure
look for paint discolouration, blue or straw colour, scale formation or any indication of heat exposure above the chain temper limit, retire the sling immediately on any heat exposure indication regardless of measurable wear because the alloy temper is compromised
8. Inspect master link and end-fittings
inspect the master link for wear, deformation, cracking and pin or weld defects using the same wear criteria as the chain links, inspect each end-fitting (sling hook latch function, throat opening, hook twist) against the relevant discard criteria, confirm leg balance on multi-leg slings
9. Make the end-of-life decision and destroy retired slings
mark each sling as fit for service, watch list with a shorter inspection interval, or retire and destroy, cut through the master link or a chain link with hydraulic cutters on any retired sling, photograph the destroyed sling for the record, update the chain sling register in MapTrack and set the next inspection date
How often should you complete this inspection checklist?
AS 3775, ASME B30.9 and AS 2321 set the inspection cadence the chain sling inspector should follow. The rigger runs a visual pre-use check before every lift, looking for obvious twisted or bent links, heat marks, end-fitting condition and tag legibility. A monthly visual inspection by a trained rigger covers each sling in the gear box for obvious damage and tag legibility. A quarterly inspection by a competent person measures link wear at the bearing surface, pitch elongation over a reference length and end-fitting condition against discard criteria. A 12 monthly major inspection by a competent person covers every chain sling in every gear box on site and sits inside the annual rigging gear audit. Any shock load, dropped object, heat exposure, chemical contamination or near-miss event triggers an out-of-cycle inspection of the affected sling. In MapTrack the chain sling inspection schedule sits against the serial number because chain slings are higher-value assemblies that warrant per-asset tracking.
Make this form your own
From your template to your team.
Start with this template, adjust it for your equipment and site, then save and publish the digital form for your team.
- 01
Start your free trial
Use your work email to create your MapTrack account.
- 02
Customise, save and publish
Adjust the template fields and branding for your site.
- 03
Complete it on the job
Record checks, add photos and export a branded PDF.
Keep working offline
Load the form before you lose reception. Complete it offline and sync when you're back online.
Scan the asset. Open its form.
Use an asset's QR code to find and complete the forms that belong to it.
Show what you found
Capture photos and attach files so the next person has the details they need.
Take a branded PDF with you
Download completed forms as PDF reports with your company logo.
The trial uses a digital template. Completed paper records aren't imported automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.
AS 3775 (Chain slings - Grade T) is the Australian standard for grade T (80/100) chain slings and sets dimensions, identification, marking and discard criteria. AS 2321 (Round-link steel chain for lifting purposes) covers the chain material itself. ASME B30.9 (Slings) is the international reference that most OEM and import chain sling manufacturers point to and covers webbing, round and chain slings together. WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 makes chain sling condition part of the PCBU plant inspection duty and treats a sling without legible WLL, grade and serial as non-compliant regardless of measurable condition.
Link to this answerAS 3775 and ASME B30.9 require a chain sling to be retired when the link bar diameter at the bearing point of any link has reduced by 10 percent or more from the OEM nominal. The measurement is taken at the bearing point of each link with vernier callipers or a chain wear gauge. Link wear at the bearing surface is the indication that the sling has accumulated abrasion, gouging or wear that compromises the WLL. A sling at or beyond the threshold on any link is retired and destroyed by cutting through the master link or a chain link with hydraulic cutters. No grinding, heat-treatment or weld repair is permitted to bring the chain back into service.
Link to this answerAS 3775 requires a chain sling to be retired immediately on any indication of heat exposure above the chain temper limit. Indications include paint discolouration, blue or straw colour on the chain surface, scale formation or any colour change consistent with heat treatment. Heat exposure affects the alloy steel temper in ways that cannot be guaranteed by visual inspection because the chain may appear sound while having lost a significant proportion of its rated WLL. The sling is retired regardless of measurable wear and destroyed by cutting through the master link or a chain link with hydraulic cutters before disposal.
Link to this answerA visual pre-use check before every lift by the rigger covers obvious twisted or bent links, heat marks, end-fitting condition and tag legibility. A monthly visual inspection by a trained rigger covers each sling in the gear box. A quarterly inspection by a competent person measures link wear at the bearing surface, pitch elongation over a reference length and end-fitting condition against discard criteria. A 12 monthly major inspection covers every chain sling in every gear box on site and sits inside the annual rigging gear audit. Any shock load, dropped object, heat exposure, chemical contamination or near-miss event triggers an out-of-cycle inspection of the affected sling.
Link to this answerA chain sling at or beyond a discard threshold is retired and physically destroyed by cutting through the master link or a chain link with hydraulic cutters before disposal. No grinding, plating, weld repair, heat-treatment or straightening is permitted under AS 3775 because the chain is a heat-treated alloy steel component and the cost of a retired sling re-entering service is catastrophic. End-fittings such as sling hooks, oblong links and shorteners can be replaced with OEM equivalent components by an authorised assembler where the chain itself remains within criteria, but no field repair is permitted.
Link to this answerYes. This chain sling inspection checklist is completely free to download and use - open the HTML file in any browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. It suits riggers and competent persons inspecting grade 80, 100 and 120 chain slings against AS 3775 across the gear box. If you later want to move off paper and spreadsheets, MapTrack turns this into a live digital register: link wear and pitch elongation recorded against each sling serial, leg balance and end-fitting condition captured with photos, the inspection schedule held per sling, and automated reminders for the monthly, quarterly and annual tiers with a complete timestamped audit trail. Start free at maptrack.com/free-trial or book a demo.
Link to this answerApplicable regulatory standards
This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.
- AS 3775 (Chain slings - Grade T)
- ASME B30.9 (Slings)
- AS 2321 (Round-link steel chain for lifting purposes)
- WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5
- Safe Work Australia Code of Practice 2018: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
- Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace (Safe Work Australia)
- Model WHS Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.
The numbers behind this chain sling inspection checklist
Every figure below is sourced and dated, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without having to chase the original report.
Cite this template
Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.
The MapTrack chain sling inspection checklist contains 27 checks across 6 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Chain Sling Inspection Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/chain-sling-inspection-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Chain Sling Inspection Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/chain-sling-inspection-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/chain-sling-inspection-checklist.
Embed this free template on your website
Run an industry blog, trade association site, or training resource? Drop a preview of this free chain sling inspection checklist straight into your page. The snippet is self-contained, needs no scripts, and links readers back to the full free template.
<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Chain Sling Inspection Checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Chain sling identification: master link tag with WLL by hitch type and number of legs, chain grade (80/100/120), manufacturer mark, batch and serial number, certification standard, all clearly legible</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Sling configuration confirmation: single-leg, two-leg, three-leg or four-leg, leg lengths, end-fittings (sling hook, foundry hook, oblong link, shortener, connecting link) confirmed against the rated configuration</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Chain link wear at bearing surface: vernier or chain wear gauge measurement at the bearing point of each link against the OEM nominal link bar diameter, with 10 percent reduction as the typical discard threshold</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Pitch elongation: measurement over a 5-link or 11-link reference length against the OEM nominal, with 5 percent elongation as the typical discard threshold per AS 3775</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Twisted or bent links: visual walk along each leg looking for twisted, bent, sprung or distorted links indicating shock load or side load damage</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Gouging, nicking and weld defects: surface damage on each link inspected against discard criteria with weld splatter, arc burn, gouging and cracked welds all flagged</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/chain-sling-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Chain Sling Inspection Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
About the author
Commercial Director
Jarrod has spent over a decade in technology consulting and asset management, including roles at Accenture (mining and heavy industry) and CGI as an Asset Management Consultant. He joined MapTrack in 2018 and has spent the past 8+ years building and scaling the platform, conducting 300+ user research sessions with field teams to shape the product. His consulting background gives him deep insight into the operational and compliance challenges facing asset-intensive Australian businesses.
View LinkedIn profile →Ready for your next job?
Keep the PDF handy, or customise the digital form for your team.