1910.184(i)(9): Remove Damaged Synthetic Web Slings
Employers must immediately remove synthetic web slings from service if they show acid or caustic burns, melting or charring of any part of the surface, snags, punctures, tears or cuts, broken or worn stitches, or distortion of fittings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(i)(9) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 63 times in the last 3 years, in 63 inspections, with $126,789 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OR (8), TN (6), UT (5).
- Related part: 1910.184(i) Synthetic web slings (91 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.184(i)(9) ("Removal from service") is one requirement inside 1910.184 Slings, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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) Removal from service. Synthetic web slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present: 63 citations
(i) Acid or caustic burns;
(ii) Melting or charring of any part of the sling surface;
(iii) Snags, punctures, tears or cuts; Open (i)(9)(iii) 43 citations
(iv) Broken or worn stitches; or Open (i)(9)(iv) 8 citations
(v) Distortion of fittings.
[40 FR 27369, June 27, 1975, as amended at 40 FR 31598, July 28, 1975; 41 FR 13353, Mar. 30, 1976; 58 FR 35309, June 30, 1993; 61 FR 9240, Mar. 7, 1996; 76 FR 33607, June 8, 2011; 84 FR 15105, Apr. 15, 2019]
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(i)(9).
At 8:40 a.m. on April 18, 2024, an employee working for a glass and glazing contractor was attempting to maneuver a 3-ton overhead crane to unsecured windowframes. The window frames were staged in for metal fabrication prep in the assembly area. While moving one of…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: OR (8), TN (6), UT (5), MN (5), PA (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KASPAR RANCH HAND EQUIPMENT LLC | SHINER, TX | $15,606 |
| KIOTI TRACTORS | MEXIA, TX | $12,768 |
| ACCENT CONTROLS INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $11,754 |
| STRATIS VISUALS LLC | TORRINGTON, CT | $9,931 |
| OMEGA STEEL, INC. | BLOOMINGDALE, GA | $7,100 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(i)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Removing synthetic web slings from service. (1982-03-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(i) Synthetic web slings 91 citations
- 1910.184(i)(9)(iii) 43 citations
- 1910.184(i)(1) Sling identification 28 citations
- 1910.184(i)(9)(iv) 8 citations
- 1910.184(i)(8) Repairs
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
When must a synthetic web sling be removed from service?
Immediately, if it has acid or caustic burns, melting or charring, snags, punctures, tears or cuts, broken or worn stitches, or distorted fittings.
Does a small cut count?
Yes. Snags, punctures, tears or cuts are listed conditions for removal.
What about damaged hardware on the sling?
Distortion of fittings is also a reason to remove the sling from service.
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.