1910.184(f)(5): When to Remove Wire Rope Slings From Service
Wire rope slings must be removed from service immediately if they have ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or five in one strand in one lay, wear of one-third the original diameter of outside wires, kinking, crushing, bird caging or other distortion, heat damage, damaged end attachments, hooks opened more than 15 percent or twisted more than 10 degrees, or corrosion.
Key takeaways
- 1910.184(f)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 17 inspections, with $50,319 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OH (5), TX (3), NY (2).
- Related part: 1910.184(f) Wire-rope slings (39 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.184(f)(5) ("Removal from service") is one requirement inside 1910.184 Slings, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). It includes 7 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
(5) Removal from service. Wire rope slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present: 19 citations
(i) Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand in one rope lay. 6 citations
(ii) Wear or scraping of one-third the original diameter of outside individual wires.
(iii) Kinking, crushing, bird caging or any other damage resulting in distortion of the wire rope structure. 8 citations
(iv) Evidence of heat damage.
(v) End attachments that are cracked, deformed or worn. 1 citations
(vi) Hooks that 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. 1 citations
(vii) Corrosion of the rope or end attachments. Open (f)(5)(vii) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.184.
Export the list: 17 inspections cited 1910.184(f)(5) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.184(f)(5).
At 10:28 p.m. on November 4, 2024, an employee working as an oil well driller for a drilling company was holding pipes to be lifted. The bleeder valve cable that is attached to the elevator broke causing the 30-pound bleeder valve to fall 90 feet…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: OH (5), TX (3), NY (2), CO (1), MO (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WHITE RIVER OPERATING, LLC | WOODVILLE, MS | $11,585 |
| VEHTEK SYSTEMS INC. | BOWLING GREEN, OH | $8,275 |
| NEXTEEL SAHA, LLC | CROSBY, TX | $6,951 |
| CHOCTAW SERVICES, LLC | LOCO HILLS, NM | $6,622 |
| THREE D METALS, INC. | VALLEY CITY, OH | $4,500 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.184(f)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.184(f)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.184(f) Wire-rope slings 39 citations
- 1910.184(f)(1) Sling use 18 citations
- 1910.184(f)(5)(vii) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How many broken wires take a sling out of service?
Ten randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or five broken wires in one strand in one rope lay.
When is a hook too damaged?
When opened more than 15 percent of the normal throat opening at the narrowest point, or twisted more than 10 degrees from the plane of the unbent hook.
Does heat damage count?
Yes. Evidence of heat damage requires immediate removal 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 2026-11-06
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.