1910.184(c)(6): Secure Sling Attachment
Employers must make sure slings are securely attached to their loads.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(c)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 23 inspections, with $102,921 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (3), PA (3), CO (2).
- 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)(6) 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
(6) Slings shall be securely attached to their loads. 23 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: MA (3), PA (3), CO (2), TX (2), OH (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ATKORE SOUTHWEST, LLC | PUEBLO, CO | $11,524 |
| K-VA-T FOOD STORES, INC. | ABINGDON, VA | $11,401 |
| VEHTEK SYSTEMS INC. | BOWLING GREEN, OH | $8,275 |
| AMERICAN STEEL AND ALUMINUM, LLC | AUBURN, MA | $8,000 |
| RUSSEL METALS WILLIAMS BAHCALL INC. | GREEN BAY, WI | $6,835 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(c)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirement for a safety latch on a sling hook depends on the activity for which the sling is being used. (2006-01-10)
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)(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
What does this rule require for slings?
Slings shall be securely attached to their loads.
Who is responsible?
The employer must ensure slings are used this way.
Why does attachment matter?
A sling that is not securely attached can let the load slip or fall.
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.