1910.184(c)(1): Do Not Use Damaged Slings
Employers must not allow slings that are damaged or defective to be used.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 69 times in the last 3 years, in 69 inspections, with $271,688 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (15), OH (9), NY (7).
- Related part: 1910.184(c) Safe operating practices (265 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.184(c)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.184 Slings, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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
(1) Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used. 69 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(c)(1).
At 1:45 p.m. on September 12, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a manufacturing company, was assisting with the assembly of a Mark II Pump Sending Unit. He was standing next to the sending pump unit as a crane moved the Sampson post into place. The…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Top states: TX (15), OH (9), NY (7), MD (7), VA (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CABRAS MARINE CORPORATION | PITI, GU | $30,145 |
| FELDMEIER EQUIPMENT INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $16,131 |
| MADDEN BOLT CORPORATION | HOCKLEY, TX | $15,970 |
| ACME BRICK COMPANY | MALAKOFF, TX | $14,063 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $13,415 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.184(c)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(c) Safe operating practices 265 citations
- 1910.184(c)(9) 81 citations
- 1910.184(c)(14) 45 citations
- 1910.184(c)(6) 23 citations
- 1910.184(c)(10) 12 citations
- 1910.184(c)(4) 10 citations
- 1910.184(c)(7) 9 citations
- 1910.184(c)(8) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can a damaged sling be used for a light lift?
No. Slings that are damaged or defective shall not be used.
Does this cover all sling types?
This paragraph applies to slings that are damaged or defective, with no exception stated.
What should a worker do with a damaged sling?
Do not use it; take it out of service and report it so it is not used.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.184 (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 2026-10-21
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.