1926.502(d)(6): Snaphook Connection Limits
Unless it is a locking type designed for the connection, a snaphook must not be hooked directly to webbing, rope or wire rope; to another snaphook; to a D-ring already holding another connector; to a horizontal lifeline; or to any object that could press open the keeper.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(d)(6) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 126 times in the last 3 years, in 125 inspections, with $343,965 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (54), OR (22), GA (7).
- 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)(6) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). 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
(6) Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed for the following connections, snaphooks shall not be engaged: 126 citations
(i) directly to webbing, rope or wire rope; Open (d)(6)(i) 109 citations
(ii) to each other; Open (d)(6)(ii) 13 citations
(iii) to a Dee-ring to which another snaphook or other connector is attached; 1 citations
(iv) to a horizontal lifeline; or
(v) to any object which is incompatibly shaped or dimensioned in relation to the snaphook such that unintentional disengagement could occur by the connected object being able to depress the snaphook keeper and release itself.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 125 inspections cited 1926.502(d)(6) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(d)(6).
At 9:00 a.m. on July 10, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a roofing company, was replacing roof shingles on a residential property. The employee lost balance andfell from the roof, a height of approximately 22 feet, landing on the ground. The employee suffered fatal trauma…
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 | 9 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: IL (54), OR (22), GA (7), FL (5), CT (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| J.S ALDO'S CONSTRUCTION CO, INC. | MAYWOOD, NJ | $16,550 |
| 317742743 - TERRERO CONSTRUCTION LLC | BEAVERTON, OR | $16,000 |
| SKYLINE RESTORATION INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $14,518 |
| YOUNG DEVELOPERS, LLC | WATERBURY, CT | $9,931 |
| 317737922 - AMERICA 1ST ROOFING & BUILDERS INC | ESTACADA, OR | $9,223 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(d)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(d)(6).
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)(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
- 1926.502(d)(6)(ii) 13 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.