When sling rigging a load, what happens to the sling leg load if the sling angle is decreased?

When sling rigging a load, decreasing the sling angle increases the tension in the sling legs. This occurs because as the angle becomes smaller, the vertical component of the load that the sling must support becomes larger. The load is distributed over a smaller angle, which requires the sling to carry more tension to maintain stability and control of the load.

This increase in tension can lead to a higher overall force exerted on the rigging system, which is critical for the lineman to understand in order to ensure safety and proper lifting techniques. Proper calculation and adjustments are necessary to handle the increased tension to avoid potential equipment failure or accidents.

Maintaining proper sling angles is vital for effective load handling, as too acute an angle can lead to excessive wear on the sling and create hazards during lifting operations.