What defect is considered serious enough to condemn a flexible wire sling?

Bird caging is a term used to describe a specific type of defect that can occur in flexible wire slings, which significantly impacts the sling’s structural integrity and load-bearing capacity. This defect occurs when the wires in the sling start to separate and bend outward, resembling the shape of a bird cage. Such a deformation can create weak points in the sling, making it unsafe for lifting operations.

In contrast, surface grease, color fading, and repairable tears typically do not present immediate safety concerns in the same way that bird caging does. Surface grease might affect grip or visibility but doesn't compromise the material strength, color fading can be a cosmetic issue, and repairable tears, while they indicate damage, may not necessarily render a sling useless if they can be effectively mended according to safety standards. Therefore, bird caging stands out as a defect serious enough to warrant condemning a flexible wire sling due to its potential to lead to failure during load-bearing applications.