The Working Load Limit or Safe Working Load is the ____ load in pounds which at any time or under any condition, should ever be applied to a chain.

• A. Maximum
• B. Minimum
• C. Average
• D. Nominal

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is that the Working Load Limit (WLL) is the maximum load that can be safely applied to a chain in service. WLL is set well below the chain’s breaking strength to include a safety factor for wear, defects, dynamic forces, and human error, so it represents the upper bound of safe use at any time or under any condition. Because of that, it’s the maximum load you should ever apply to the chain. The other ideas don’t fit: a minimum would imply the smallest safe load, which isn’t how WLL is used; an average isn’t a guaranteed safe limit; and nominal is just a label and doesn’t specify the safe working capacity.