Textile slings for multi-purposes, made of Polyester are soft and easy to handle whilst offering rigidity across their width. These qualities make them ideal for handling loads which require some support when being lifted as the load is spread across the full width, thus avoiding point contact as is the case with chains or ropes.

Chain slings represent a highly versatile, durable and safe means of connecting loads to lifting appliances. The majority of chain slings in service are grade 8 or grade 80 (or T). Although not yet standardised in many parts of the world, grade 10, or higher, chain slings are available and gaining in popularity.

Wire rope slings give the user a versatile and safe means of connecting loads to lifting appliances, provided that they are used in the correct manner and dangerous lifting practices and service damage are avoided. In many cases the use of a wire rope sling in preference to, for example, a chain sling is a matter of the personal choice of the user.

Plate clamps are widely used, particularly in the steel fabrication industry, for handling a variety of work including individual pieces of plate, fabricated assemblies and bundles of plates. Clamps are subdivided into those used to lift the plate in the vertical position only and those which lift from the horizontal to the vertical or viceversa.

Magnets will only work on a magnetic material which usually means a ferrous metal although some other materials such as cobalt or nickel are capable of being lifted magnetically. As there is no positive connection between the lifting device and the load, the ability of the magnetic lifter to safely lift a particular load needs to be carefully considered.

Lifting beams, spreaders and frames are usually designed either for a specifc purpose or as general purpose beams for a specifed range of lifts. They are attached to the load suspension point of a lifting machine or crane and can therefore be considered to be portable.

Eyebolt and shackles for lifting purposes are one of the most widely used items of lifting gear. They are normally forged from various grades of steel, mostly from higher tensile steel which gives them a higher working load limit than those made in mild steel.