Safe work environments focus on programs that help to ensure the prevention of work related injuries. Injury prevention programs have focused on equipment to eliminate manual lifting in an effort to decrease staff injuries from patient transfers and repositioning. Part of this practice is to leave the sling under the patient in order to reduce the amount of times staff are manually repositioning or turning the patient. With an increasing patient population that is either obese or extremely obese (bariatric patients) positioning and lifting equipment need to manage large weight limits. In response, manufacturers have constructed slings with increased fabric strength to handle heavier patients. There is concern that the newer sling fabrics may interfere with the low airloss and pressure redistribution purpose of mattresses. Information from this study may help in making slings with materials that can support higher weights while not causing any added skin problems.