1910.184(c)(14): Slings Must Have ID Markings
Employers must not use slings that do not have affixed and legible identification markings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(c)(14) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 45 times in the last 3 years, in 45 inspections, with $50,893 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (7), CA (3), MA (3).
- Related part: 1910.184(c) Safe operating practices (265 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.184(c)(14) is one requirement inside 1910.184 Slings, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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
(14) Employers must not use slings without affixed and legible identification markings. 45 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(c)(14).
At 12:45 p.m. on June 6, 2024, an employee working as an oil well driller was part of a crew with three coworkers performing preventative maintenance on a workover rig. The crew had removed the metal work platform in order to perform apower wash and…
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 | 22 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: TX (7), CA (3), MA (3), GA (3), MD (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BALLARD CONTRACTORS, INC. | MOUNDVILLE, AL | $11,292 |
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, WEST SACRAMENTO | WEST SACRAMENTO, CA | $7,098 |
| COWBOY'S READY MIX | DAYTON, TX | $5,958 |
| AMERICAN BOA, INCORPORATED | CUMMING, GA | $4,416 |
| M.H. EBY, INC. | STORY CITY, IA | $4,186 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(c)(14), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.184(c)(14).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(c) Safe operating practices 265 citations
- 1910.184(c)(9) 81 citations
- 1910.184(c)(1) 69 citations
- 1910.184(c)(6) 23 citations
- 1910.184(c)(10) 12 citations
- 1910.184(c)(4) 10 citations
- 1910.184(c)(7) 9 citations
- 1910.184(c)(8) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can a sling without a tag be used?
No. Employers must not use slings without affixed and legible identification markings.
What if the tag cannot be read?
The markings must be legible, so an unreadable tag does not meet the rule.
What should I do with an untagged sling?
Remove it from use and report it.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.184 (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 2026-10-21
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.