The capacity metric describing the total weight a sling can lift is called the

• A. Working Load Limit
• B. Breaking Strength
• C. Safety Factor
• D. Strain Limit

Answer: (A)

This question is about how lifting gear capacity is described in practical terms: the Safe Working Load, or working load limit, is the maximum weight the sling can lift under normal use. The WLL is defined by safety standards and manufacturer specifications and is typically calculated by dividing the sling’s breaking strength by a chosen safety factor. This distinguishes it from the breaking strength, which is the ultimate load the sling can withstand before failure, and from the safety factor itself, which is the ratio used to derive the WLL. A common example helps: if a sling’s breaking strength is 10,000 pounds and the safety factor is 5, the WLL would be 2,000 pounds. The term “strain limit” isn’t the standard rating used for slings.