1910.184(c)(4): Do Not Overload Slings
Employers must make sure slings are not loaded in excess of their rated capacities.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $76,756 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (2), AL (1), TN (1).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(c)(4).
At 11:08 a.m. on November 21, 2023, an employee was assisting in the loading andunloading of a 40-foot Conex box from a low boy trailer to the shop floor. A chain used in the hoisting system broke. The Conex box hit the low boy, rolled,…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: OH (2), AL (1), TN (1), IL (1), ME (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VESTAS NACELLES AMERICA, INC. | BRIGHTON, CO | $16,550 |
| AXIS ENERGY SERVICES, LLC | CRANE, TX | $11,000 |
| T-L IRRIGATION CO. | HASTINGS, NE | $10,300 |
| BALLARD CONTRACTORS, INC. | MOUNDVILLE, AL | $9,464 |
| BARNES INTERNATIONAL, LLC | ROCKFORD, IL | $8,892 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.184(c)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(c) Safe operating practices 265 citations
- 1910.184(c)(9) 81 citations
- 1910.184(c)(1) 69 citations
- 1910.184(c)(14) 45 citations
- 1910.184(c)(6) 23 citations
- 1910.184(c)(10) 12 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
What is the rule?
Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities.
Who is responsible for this?
The employer must make sure slings are not loaded beyond their rated capacities.
Is a small overload allowed?
No. Slings must not be loaded beyond their rated capacity.
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.