If you can’t identify each sling uniquely, you can’t meet your LOLER requirements. Most slings don’t carry a serial number and even if they do, washing and wear often makes them illegible.

Arjo has developed a fail-safe way to code your existing and all new slings - permanently and cost effectively. The system works by embedding a small, uniquely encoded transponder microchip in the sling beading that can be read using a hand-held reader.

Electronic hand-held reader

Transponder

Heat shrink identification tag
(suitable for clip slings)

Identification tag
(suitable for loop slings)

How it works

A small transponder is inserted into the beading of a sling between the stitching close to a support strap. This transponder holds a unique serial number that is allocated to the sling and can be read with the use of a hand-held reader.
To aid identification of a sling fitted with this system, an optional yellow heat shrink identification tag is available that can be fitted to the support strap of a clip sling. For loop slings an optional white identification tag can be secured to one of the sling’s straps. Both types of identification tags can be written on in permanent marker to show the previous and next examination dates.
Transponders are waterproof ensuring that slings can be laundered as usual.

Sling suitability

The sling identification system can be retrofitted to both clip and loop slings supplied by Arjo and other manufacturers.

Regulatory compliance

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 requires lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, to be thoroughly examined at least every six months or in accordance with an examination scheme. It is also a requirement to make a report of the thorough examination in writing that contains certain specific information.
This includes individual items of lifting equipment and accessories for lifting which must be uniquely identified to enable a report to be written. In most cases, lifting equipment is provided with a unique serial number that is used on the report of thorough examination.
As an accessory, patient slings have not previously carried a serial number, the medical device regulations only required that a batch code was applied to the label on the sling. Slings that may have had a serial number on a label may have suffered deterioration during the washing process, or from heavy use, and the serial number may have become illegible. In these cases it would not be possible to comply with the LOLER requirement for a traceable system of thorough examination of slings.

For more information

Contact the Arjo Service Department of telephone 08702 430 430 or send an email to ukservice@arjo.co.uk

To download a copy of the Electronic Sling Taggng Flyer, click here.