1910.140(c)(19): Compatible Fall Protection Components
Employers must make sure ropes, belts, lanyards and harnesses used for personal fall protection are compatible with all connectors used with them.
Key takeaways
- 1910.140(c)(19) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $2,500 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.140(c) General requirements (196 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.140(c)(19) is one requirement inside 1910.140 Personal fall protection systems, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(19) Ropes, belts, lanyards, and harnesses used for personal fall protection must be compatible with all connectors used. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.140.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.140(c)(19).
At 7:53 a.m. on October 23, 2023, an employee working as a Janitor for a janitorial service was preparing to conduct window washing operations from the 28th floor of a building down to the ground level. While climbing into the bosun's chair, the anchor line…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.140(c)(19), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.140(c)(19).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.140(c) General requirements 196 citations
- 1910.140(c)(18) 65 citations
- 1910.140(c)(13) 49 citations
- 1910.140(c)(13)(i) 27 citations
- 1910.140(c)(13)(ii) 22 citations
- 1910.140(c)(20) 15 citations
- 1910.140(c)(11) 10 citations
- 1910.140(c)(10) 10 citations
- 1910.140(c)(21) 8 citations
- 1910.140(c)(17) 8 citations
- 1910.140(c)(12) 7 citations
- 1910.140(c)(10)(i) 5 citations
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Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What must be compatible?
Ropes, belts, lanyards and harnesses must be compatible with all connectors used.
Why does compatibility matter?
Parts that do not match may not work together as a fall protection system.
Does this apply to every connector?
Yes, the rule says all connectors used.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.140 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.