1926.251(b)(6)(ii): Alloy Steel Chain Sling Inspection Record
Employers must make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and make that record available for examination.
Key takeaways
- 1926.251(b)(6)(ii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $4,419 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (6), FL (2), MA (2).
- Related part: 1926.251(b) Alloy steel chains (40 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.251(b)(6)(ii) 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
(ii) The employer shall make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and shall make such record available for examination. 16 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(b)(6)(ii).
At 3:15 p.m. on September 10, 2024, employees were installing 84-inch reinforcedconcrete pipes using steel lifting chain slings connected to an excavator. During the process, one of the steel chain slings snapped at the lifting hook, striking a nearby employee in the chest and stomach.…
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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: TX (6), FL (2), MA (2), ME (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS OF CT, INC. | WINSLOW, ME | $2,644 |
| BLACK ROCK CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, LLC. | BRUCEVILLE, TX | $930 |
| C.E. BARKER, LTD. | HOUSTON, TX | $717 |
| TOWN OF THOMASTON | THOMASTON, CT | $128 |
| JACKSON CONSTRUCTION, LTD. | FORT WORTH, TX | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.251(b)(6)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.251(b)(6)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.251(b) Alloy steel chains 40 citations
- 1926.251(b)(6) Inspections 22 citations
- 1926.251(b)(1) 16 citations
- 1926.251(b)(6)(i) 6 citations
- 1926.251(b)(4) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What record is required for chain slings?
A record of the most recent month each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected.
Must the record be shown to anyone?
Yes. The employer must make it available for examination.
Which slings does this cover?
Alloy steel chain slings.
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.