1910.184(d): Daily Sling Inspections
Each day before use, a competent person designated by the employer must inspect slings and all fastenings and attachments for damage or defects. Extra inspections are needed during use where service conditions warrant, and damaged or defective slings must be removed from service immediately.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 119 times in the last 3 years, in 119 inspections, with $351,121 in current penalties.
- 6 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (13), VA (9), MD (9).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.184(d) ("Inspections") 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
(d) Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service. 119 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Injuries linked to this rule
6 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(d).
At 6:45 a.m. on December 6, 2024, two employees were conducting abrasive blasting on a 13,000-pound metal sheet measuring 33 feet long, 10 feet wide, and0.89 inches thick. The metal sheet had been positioned vertically within a blastbooth using an overhead crane and secured onto…
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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: TX (13), VA (9), MD (9), TN (8), PA (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MUELLER, INC. | MORIARTY, NM | $16,554 |
| PRIMORIS T&D SERVICES LLC. | LAKELAND, FL | $16,550 |
| VESTAS NACELLES AMERICA, INC. | BRIGHTON, CO | $16,550 |
| KASPAR RANCH HAND EQUIPMENT LLC | SHINER, TX | $15,606 |
| AKITA DRILLING USA CORP. | CARLSBAD, NM | $15,543 |
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Frequently asked questions
How often must slings be inspected?
Each day before being used, plus during use where service conditions warrant.
Who inspects slings?
A competent person designated by the employer.
What happens to a damaged sling?
It must be immediately removed from service.
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 2026-10-20
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.