Which of the following correctly describes the typical sling angle guideline for common loads?

• A. 0 degrees from horizontal
• B. 30 degrees or greater from horizontal or 60 degrees or less from vertical
• C. 90 degrees from horizontal
• D. Any angle is acceptable

Answer: (B)

When lifting with a sling, the angle of the sling legs relative to the horizontal (or, equivalently, relative to the vertical) directly affects the tension each leg must carry. The wider the spread of the legs, the higher the tension required in each leg to hold the same load. That’s why keeping the angle within a safe range is essential.

For common loads, the guideline is to have the sling angle at least 30 degrees from horizontal. This is the same as keeping the legs within 60 degrees of being vertical. By staying within this range, the tension in each leg stays within the sling’s working-load limit. If the angle from horizontal gets too small (closer to horizontal), the required tension grows rapidly and can exceed the sling’s capacity. A vertical arrangement (90 degrees from horizontal) is not inherently unsafe, but it does not alone define the guideline; the critical point is avoiding angles too shallow from horizontal. The option describing 30 degrees or greater from horizontal (or 60 degrees or less from vertical) matches this safe, standard practice.