1926.251(a)(6): Daily Sling Inspections
A competent person designated by the employer must inspect each sling and all its fastenings and attachments for damage or defects each day before use. Extra inspections are needed during use when service conditions warrant, and damaged or defective slings must be removed from service immediately.
Key takeaways
- 1926.251(a)(6) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 45 times in the last 3 years, in 45 inspections, with $134,373 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (10), MD (8), KY (3).
- Related part: 1926.251(a) General (180 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.251(a)(6) ("Inspections") is one requirement inside 1926.251 Rigging equipment for material handling, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart H). 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) Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service. 45 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.251.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.251(a)(6).
At 11:23 a.m. on September 24, 2024, Employee #1 was working inside a precast concrete manhole section that had been previously installed in an excavation. A second precast concrete manhole section, suspended above by rigging, came loose and fell approximately 9 feet. The falling load…
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 | 14 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: TX (10), MD (8), KY (3), VA (3), CT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLINTCO, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $16,550 |
| CONSOLIDATED CRANE AND RIGGING, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $16,550 |
| RFX2026XJW184X0193 - MCCAIN CONSTRUCTION LLC | SURPRISE, AZ | $11,823 |
| 67025 - CODELL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | WIND CAVE, KY | $7,000 |
| SCHMIDT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | EAGLE, ID | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.251(a)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.251(a)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.251(a) General 180 citations
- 1926.251(a)(1) 68 citations
- 1926.251(a)(2) 58 citations
- 1926.251(a)(2)(i) 33 citations
- 1926.251(a)(2)(iii) 16 citations
- 1926.251(a)(4) 7 citations
- 1926.251(a)(5) Scope
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
How often must slings be inspected in construction?
Each day before being used, plus during use where service conditions warrant.
Who inspects the slings?
A competent person designated by the employer.
What happens to a damaged sling?
It must be immediately removed from service.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.251 (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 2026-10-20
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.