Industry Update ▸ Why HFS Single Slings Are the Next Must-Have Hands-Free Tool for Safer Manual Handling
The global push toward hands-free / hands-off working has accelerated over the past two years, driven by stricter HSE targets and a sharp rise in lost-time incidents linked to manual handling. Valve clusters, pups, chicksans and miscellaneous rig-floor hardware still have to be moved every day—but the old habit of “just grab it” is no longer acceptable.
HFS Safety’s Single Sling range answers this challenge, giving crews a lightweight, certified and easy-to-deploy tool that keeps fingers out of the danger zone while maintaining total control over awkward loads.
Why Single Slings Matter Now
1. Closing the “Minor” Injury Gap
Hand & finger injuries remain the #1 recordable across energy, mining and heavy-manufacturing sites. A simple sling that lets personnel cradle and carry parts eliminates the pinch-points that cause these “minor” incidents—which often turn into major downtime.
2. One-Person Efficiency
Unlike double or choke slings that require two operators, a Single Sling lets a lone technician move a 2″ valve or pup joint safely. That means fewer personnel in the red zone and faster deck housekeeping between lifts.
3. Better Body Mechanics
Weight is distributed through the sling, so operators stand upright instead of stooping to grab the load. Fewer micro-strains translate to lower long-term lost-time costs.
4. Asset Protection
Soft webbing + wrap-around cradle = no metal-on-metal scarring of threaded ends, gauge faces or polished bores—extending the service life of expensive components.
Typical Industrial Use-Cases
Rig Floor & Pipe Yards – guiding valve clusters, IBOPs, pups, collars.
Chemical Plants – swapping out small process valves in tight racks.
Maintenance Workshops – lifting pump housings or gearboxes onto benches.
Logistics & Warehousing – repositioning fragile instruments packed on pallets.
Utilities & Municipal Works – handling hydrant parts or small actuators in confined pits.
Best-Practice Safety Tips
Inspect Before Each Use – look for cuts, heat glazing or chemical attack on the web.
Mind the Orientation – keep the stitched eye upright and load centred in the cradle.
Stay Below WLL – 50 kg is plenty for most small-bore hardware; never “push it just this once.”
Store Clean & Dry – hang slings away from UV and hydrocarbon splash to maximise life.
Conclusion
As the industry trends toward zero-touch lifting, HFS Single Slings provide a quick win: lower incident rates, faster workflows and longer-lasting equipment—all wrapped up in a tool that weighs barely a few ounces.
Ready to upgrade your manual-handling kit? Explore specs, datasheets and ordering options here ➜ HFS Single Slings Product Page.