1910.140(c)(7): Connector Strength: 5,000 Pounds
D-rings, snaphooks and carabiners must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN).
Key takeaways
- 1910.140(c)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $0 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)(7) 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
(7) D-rings, snaphooks, and carabiners must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). 2 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)(7).
At 3:00 p.m. on May 31, 2024, Employee #1 was working on an elevated platform approximately 20 feet in the air, assisting with pushing cardboard boxes into a chute leading to a box compactor. While in position, the employee fell into the chute and struck…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.140(c)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.140(c)(7).
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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Frequently asked questions
What strength must D-rings and snaphooks have?
A minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN).
Does this include carabiners?
Yes.
Is this a minimum?
Yes, it is a minimum tensile load.
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.