1910.184(e): Alloy Steel Chain Slings
Alloy steel chain slings must have durable tags showing size, grade, rated capacity and reach, attachments rated at least equal to the chain or the sling limited to its weakest part, and no makeshift links. A competent person must thoroughly inspect them regularly, never more than 12 months apart, for wear, bad welds, deformation and stretch, the employer must record the most recent inspection month, and defective slings must be removed from service immediately.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 306 times in the last 3 years, in 213 inspections, with $390,532 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (83), ME (22), OH (19).
- Related part: 1910.184(e)(3) Inspections (133 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.184(e) ("Alloy steel chain slings") is one requirement inside 1910.184 Slings, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 22 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
(e) Alloy steel chain slings — 306 citations
(1) Sling identification. Alloy steel chain slings shall have permanently affixed durable identification stating size, grade, rated capacity, and reach. Open (e)(1) 123 citations
(2) Attachments. Open (e)(2) 18 citations
(i) Hooks, rings, oblong links, pear shaped links, welded or mechanical coupling links or other attachments shall have a rated capacity at least equal to that of the alloy steel chain with which they are used or the sling shall not be used in excess of the rated capacity of the weakest component. Open (e)(2)(i) 7 citations
(ii) Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods, or other such attachments, shall not be used. Open (e)(2)(ii) 11 citations
(3) Inspections. Open (e)(3) 133 citations
(i) In addition to the inspection required by paragraph (d) of this section, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall be made on a regular basis, to be determined on the basis of Open (e)(3)(i) 57 citations
(A) frequency of sling use;
(B) severity of service conditions;
(C) nature of lifts being made; and
(D) experience gained on the service life of slings used in similar circumstances. Such inspections shall in no event be at intervals greater than once every 12 months.
(ii) The employer shall make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, and shall make such record available for examination. Open (e)(3)(ii) 56 citations
(iii) The thorough inspection of alloy steel chain slings shall be performed by a competent person designated by the employer, and shall include a thorough inspection for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in length. Where such defects or deterioration are present, the sling shall be immediately removed from service. Open (e)(3)(iii) 18 citations
(4) Proof testing. The employer shall ensure that before use, each new, repaired, or reconditioned alloy steel chain sling, including all welded components in the sling assembly, shall be proof tested by the sling manufacturer or equivalent entity, in accordance with paragraph 5.2 of the American Society of Testing and Materials Specification A391-65, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6 (ANSI G61.1-1968). The employer shall retain a certificate of the proof test and shall make it available for examination. Open (e)(4) 17 citations
(5) [Reserved]
(6) Safe operating temperatures. Employers must permanently remove an alloy steel-chain slings from service if it is heated above 1000 degrees F. When exposed to service temperatures in excess of 600 degrees F, employers must reduce the maximum working-load limits permitted by the chain manufacturer in accordance with the chain or sling manufacturer's recommendations.
(7) Repairing and reconditioning alloy steel chain slings. Open (e)(7) 3 citations
(i) Worn or damaged alloy steel chain slings or attachments shall not be used until repaired. When welding or heat testing is performed, slings shall not be used unless repaired, reconditioned and proof tested by the sling manufacturer or an equivalent entity. Open (e)(7)(i) 3 citations
(ii) Mechanical coupling links or low carbon steel repair links shall not be used to repair broken lengths of chain.
(8) Effect of wear. If the chain size at any point of the link is less than that stated in Table N-184-1, the employer must remove the chain from service.
(9) Deformed attachments. Open (e)(9) 12 citations
(i) Alloy steel chain slings with cracked or deformed master links, coupling links or other components shall be removed from service. 9 citations
| Chain size, inches | Minimum allowable chain size, inches |
|---|---|
| 1⁄4 | 13⁄64 |
| 3⁄8 | 19⁄64 |
| 1⁄2 | 25⁄64 |
| 5⁄8 | 31⁄64 |
| 3⁄4 | 19⁄32 |
| 7⁄8 | 45⁄64 |
| 1 | 13⁄16 |
| 11⁄8 | 29⁄32 |
| 11⁄4 | 1 |
| 13⁄8 | 13⁄32 |
| 11⁄2 | 13⁄16 |
| 13⁄4 | 113⁄32 |
(ii) Slings shall be removed from service if hooks are cracked, have been opened more than 15 percent of the normal throat opening measured at the narrowest point or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(e).
At 1:45 p.m. on September 12, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a manufacturing company, was assisting with the assembly of a Mark II Pump Sending Unit. He was standing next to the sending pump unit as a crane moved the Sampson post into place. The…
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 | 23 |
| 2024 | 133 |
| 2025 | 92 |
| 2026 | 58 |
Top states: CT (83), ME (22), OH (19), MD (19), NY (15)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BALLARD CONTRACTORS, INC. | MOUNDVILLE, AL | $18,928 |
| NEBRASKA BEEF, LTD | OMAHA, NE | $15,900 |
| MARMON RETAIL SOLUTIONS | WAGONER, OK | $14,187 |
| JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS | DUBUQUE, IA | $12,660 |
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $12,098 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- The use of clevis pins and cotterpins to attach slings and hooks; use of latches on sling hooks. (2009-10-19)
- Evaluation of variance application requesting the use of proof coil and high test chain slings under certain procedures. (1983-05-12)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(e)(3) Inspections 133 citations
- 1910.184(e)(1) Sling identification 123 citations
- 1910.184(e)(3)(i) 57 citations
- 1910.184(e)(3)(ii) 56 citations
- 1910.184(e)(2) Attachments 18 citations
- 1910.184(e)(3)(iii) 18 citations
- 1910.184(e)(4) Proof testing 17 citations
- 1910.184(e)(9) Deformed attachments 12 citations
- 1910.184(e)(2)(ii) 11 citations
- 1910.184(e)(2)(i) 7 citations
- 1910.184(e)(7) Repairing and reconditioning alloy steel chain slings 3 citations
- 1910.184(e)(7)(i) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must a chain sling tag show?
Size, grade, rated capacity and reach.
How often must chain slings get a thorough inspection?
On a regular basis based on use and conditions, but in no event at intervals greater than once every 12 months.
Can bolts be used as links?
No. Makeshift links or fasteners formed from bolts or rods shall not be used.
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.