How can excessive lifting angles affect sling performance?

Excessive lifting angles can significantly reduce a sling's load capacity due to the increased forces exerted on the sling. When a sling is used at a steep angle, it places additional stress on both the sling material and its connection points, which can lead to a higher risk of failure. This phenomenon occurs because, as the lifting angle increases beyond the optimal range, the effective weight that the sling can support diminishes.

For example, if a sling is rated to lift a certain weight at a standard angle (like 60 degrees or less), using it at a much steeper angle may effectively decrease the amount of weight it can safely lift. This reduction in capacity is often quantified by a "sling angle factor," which indicates that at angles greater than optimal, the load capacity drops substantially, sometimes to less than half of its rated capacity. Therefore, understanding how lifting angles affect sling performance is crucial for ensuring safe and effective rigging practices.