1910.184(c)(9): Stay Clear of Suspended Loads
Employers must keep all employees clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads when using slings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(c)(9) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 81 times in the last 3 years, in 81 inspections, with $622,827 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (15), OH (12), MA (5).
- 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)(9) 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
(9) All employees shall be kept clear of loads about to be lifted and of suspended loads. 81 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(c)(9).
At 10:28 p.m. on November 4, 2024, an employee working as an oil well driller for a drilling company was holding pipes to be lifted. The bleeder valve cable that is attached to the elevator broke causing the 30-pound bleeder valve to fall 90 feet…
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 23 |
Top states: TX (15), OH (12), MA (5), OK (4), VA (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KYOEI STEEL, LTD | VINTON, TX | $60,000 |
| VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. | TULSA, OK | $52,132 |
| SULZER TURBO SERVICES HOUSTON, INC. | DEER PARK, TX | $16,550 |
| ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES GROUP, LLC | BAYTOWN, TX | $16,550 |
| NORRISBUILT FABRICATION AND MOBILE WELDING LLC | NORTON, VA | $16,287 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(c)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.184(c)(9).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(c) Safe operating practices 265 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)(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
Who must stay clear of suspended loads?
All employees.
Does this apply before the lift starts?
Yes. Employees must be kept clear of loads about to be lifted as well as suspended loads.
Which OSHA standard is this from?
1910.184, which covers slings.
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.