Webbing Slings

Webbing anchor slings

Flexible webbing slings that wrap around a structural member (beam, column, railing) to create a temporary anchor point. The go-to solution where a fixed anchor plate isn't practical — during construction, for maintenance work on existing buildings, or anywhere the anchor needs to be packed up and moved at the end of the job. AS/NZS 1891.1-compliant anchor slings are an entirely different product to the lifting slings sold under AS 1353 — never mix them up.

Anchor slings vs lifting slings

Critical distinction:

• Anchor slings (AS/NZS 1891.1) — rated for personal fall-arrest. Single-user 15 kN minimum. Marked "fall arrest" or "AS/NZS 1891" on the label. Used to create an anchor point for a person's harness/lanyard system.
• Lifting slings (AS 1353 / EN 1492) — rated for lifting loads. SWL (safe working load) marked in kilograms or tonnes. Used to rig cranes, hoists, and lifting gear. Not rated for fall arrest — the safety factors and shock-loading tolerances are different.

Using a lifting sling as a fall-arrest anchor is a common site mistake and a documented cause of failures. Always check the label.

Sling configurations

• Endless (round) slings — continuous loop of webbing sewn into a circle. Very flexible for wrap-around anchorage, can be choked (passed through itself) for tighter grip on the structure.
• Eye-and-eye (flat) slings — webbing with a sewn loop at each end. Connects to karabiners at each end for rigging a horizontal or diagonal anchor line.
• Anchor strap — short anchor sling with a D-ring at one end, used for connecting a harness or lanyard directly to a wrapped structure.

Length selection

Most anchor slings are 1 m, 1.5 m, or 2 m. Choose long enough to wrap the structural member twice (for choker-style rigging) or to span between two anchor points. Too-long slings introduce slack and potentially swing-fall risk; too-short slings won't wrap bulky beams.

Structural member suitability

• Steel I-beams and RHS columns — ideal for anchor slings; smooth surfaces with defined corners that don't cut webbing.
• Timber beams and trusses — acceptable if the timber is sound and load-rated for the arrest force. Check for rot and split ends.
• Concrete edges and sharp steel — use edge protectors (sleeves of thick rubber or nylon) to prevent the webbing being cut. A standard anchor sling over a sharp edge can be severed during a fall.
• Scaffolding tube — acceptable only with specific scaffold-sling products that prevent rotation. Round-tube slinging with a plain webbing sling is not reliable.

Pre-use inspection

Inspect the webbing for cuts, abrasion, UV fading, chemical damage, or heat damage along the full length. Check the sewn terminations for pulled or broken stitches — load-bearing stitches are usually a contrasting colour for easy visual inspection. Check the label is still legible (cert info, manufacturer, date of manufacture). Retire at 10 years regardless of condition.

Standards & compliance

Anchor slings in this range are certified to AS/NZS 1891.1 (anchor webbing for personal fall-arrest). Six-monthly documented inspection is required under AS/NZS 1891.4. Any sling subject to a fall-arrest event is retired immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a 1-tonne lifting sling as an anchor for my harness?

No — lifting slings are rated under AS 1353 for lifting loads, not for personal fall-arrest. A lifting sling may be physically strong enough, but its safety factor, shock-loading behaviour, and quality-control standards are different from anchor slings. Always use AS/NZS 1891.1-rated anchor slings for fall-arrest.

How do I rig an anchor sling around a sharp edge?

Use an edge protector — a nylon or thick-rubber sleeve that slides over the sling where it contacts the edge. Edge-protector kits are stocked alongside the slings. Without one, the webbing can be cut through during a fall.

Can I leave an anchor sling rigged on a structure between jobs?

Not recommended — UV exposure degrades webbing faster than rigging loads. If permanent anchorage is needed, install a UV-stable fixed anchor plate instead. Reserve anchor slings for temporary rigging and pack them away between uses.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts receive 5% off RRP on anchor slings. Case-quantity pricing available for structural-construction crews and rigger-fit-out programs. Apply for a trade account →