1926.502(d)(5): Locking Snaphooks Only
Snaphooks must fit what they connect to so they cannot release by accident, and since January 1, 1998 only locking-type snaphooks may be used.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(d)(5) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $46,307 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: AK (3), NC (1), VA (1).
- Related part: 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems (1,999 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(5) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). 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
(5) Snaphooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member to which they are connected to prevent unintentional disengagement of the snaphook by depression of the snaphook keeper by the connected member, or shall be a locking type snaphook designed and used to prevent disengagement of the snaphook by the contact of the snaphook keeper by the connected member. Effective January 1, 1998, only locking type snaphooks shall be used. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 10 inspections cited 1926.502(d)(5) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(d)(5).
At 5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2024, Employee #1 was working for a highway/street construction contractor. Employee #1 was using a portable grinder to cut a hanger on a pipe attached to the bottom of the bridge. It appears that when the hanger was cut…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: AK (3), NC (1), VA (1), NY (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DEMOLITION, LLC | GIRDWOOD, AK | $16,131 |
| ALASKA DOT&PF | GIRDWOOD, AK | $8,066 |
| MASS EXCAVATION, INC | GIRDWOOD, AK | $5,646 |
| PULVER ROOFING CO., INC. | CLAY, NY | $4,610 |
| MAINE SOLAR SOLUTIONS | PORTLAND, ME | $4,138 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(d)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(d)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems 1,999 citations
- 1926.502(d)(17) 558 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15) 509 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16) 322 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) 274 citations
- 1926.502(d)(21) 137 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6) 126 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6)(i) 109 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15)(ii) 57 citations
- 1926.502(d)(11) 44 citations
- 1926.502(d)(8) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(1) 17 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.502 (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 2026-11-07
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.