Steel Pipe Lifting Straps: White vs. Colored – Which Should You Choose?
When it comes to material handling in the construction and manufacturing industries, selecting the right equipment isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about safety. If you are tasked with moving heavy steel pipes, you’ve likely noticed a variety of lifting slings on the market.
A common question arises: Should a steel pipe lifting strap be white or colored? The short answer is that colored straps are the industry standard for general lifting, while white straps are typically reserved for specific, specialized environments. Here is a deep dive into why color matters and how to choose the right one for your project.
1. Colored Steel Pipe Lifting Straps: The Industry Standard
Most synthetic webbing slings (made of polyester or nylon) used for lifting steel pipes are color-coded. This isn’t for aesthetics; it is a critical safety feature governed by international standards like EN 1492-1.
Why Color Coding Matters
The color of a lifting strap indicates its Working Load Limit (WLL). This allows riggers and crane operators to identify the capacity of a sling at a glance without having to find the physical tag.
| Color | Capacity (Metric Tonnes) |
| Violet | 1 Tonne |
| Green | 2 Tonnes |
| Yellow | 3 Tonnes |
| Grey | 4 Tonnes |
| Red | 5 Tonnes |
| Brown | 6 Tonnes |
| Blue | 8 Tonnes |
| Orange | 10+ Tonnes |
Best for Steel Pipes: Since steel pipes are incredibly heavy and often handled in rugged outdoor environments, colored polyester slings are preferred. They are UV resistant, durable, and the color coding reduces the risk of accidental overloading.
2. White Steel Pipe Lifting Straps: The “One-Way” or Specialized Option
If you see a white lifting strap, it usually falls into one of two categories:
Disposable “One-Way” Slings
White straps are often “One-Way” slings. These are designed to be attached to a load (like a bundle of steel pipes) at the point of manufacture and remain with the load until it reaches its final destination. Once the load is positioned, the strap is cut and discarded. They are not intended for repeated use.
Specialized Environments
In some cases, white straps are made of polypropylene. These are used in environments where resistance to specific chemicals (like acids or alkalis) is required, or in “clean” industries where dye transfer from a colored strap could contaminate the product.
Warning: Never reuse a white “one-way” strap for general site lifting. They do not have the same safety factors or durability as standard colored slings.
3. Conclusion: Which Steel Pipe Lifting Straps is Better?
For 95% of applications involving steel pipe, colored lifting straps are the superior choice. They offer:
- Safety: Instant recognition of weight capacity.
- Durability: Designed for multiple uses and harsh weather.
- Compliance: They meet OSHA and international rigging standards.
White straps should only be used if you are receiving a pre-slung shipment meant for one-time offloading, or if you are working in a highly specific chemical environment – it must be polypropylene materials.
Safety Tip from LOUA SLING CO.,LTD: Always Check the Tag
Regardless of the color, always inspect the ID tag before a lift. If the tag is missing or illegible, the strap must be removed from service immediately, no matter what color it is.
At LOUA sling, we have been supplying both standard color code lifting strap and one way used lifitng sling strap to customers worldwide. Built for safety, reliability, and performance. Contact us to place an order.
