1926.502(d)(9): Lanyard and Lifeline Strength
Lanyards and vertical lifelines must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(d)(9) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $54,293 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (5), NH (3), CT (3).
- 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)(9) 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
(9) Lanyards and vertical lifelines shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). 13 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 13 inspections cited 1926.502(d)(9) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: MA (5), NH (3), CT (3), OR (1), NY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JP CARROLL ROOFING LLC | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $17,874 |
| JQV CONSTRUCTION CORP. | LOWELL, MA | $5,958 |
| JAY BUILDERS, LLC | RIDGEFIELD, CT | $5,958 |
| J WAMAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. | STONY POINT, NY | $4,965 |
| PROBUILDERS CONSTRUCTION, INC. | SUDBURY, MA | $4,839 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(d)(9).
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.