Natural fiber rope slings are not to be used for overhead lifting.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for light loads
• D. Only with protective sleeves

Answer: (A)

Natural fiber rope slings are not suitable for overhead lifting because they have limited strength and durability compared with other sling types. They absorb moisture, rot, and deteriorate from heat, UV exposure, and abrasion, which can drastically reduce their rated load and reliability. In overhead lifting, loads can impose dynamic peaks and edge damage that natural fibers can’t reliably withstand, increasing the risk of sudden failure. For that reason, standards keep natural fiber rope slings out of overhead duty and restrict them to non-overhead service with appropriate ratings. Protective sleeves don’t fix these fundamental material limitations, so they don’t make overhead use acceptable.