1926.251(a)(2)(i): Rigging Must Show Safe Working Load
In construction, employers must make sure rigging equipment has permanently affixed and legible identification markings, as prescribed by the manufacturer, that show the recommended safe working load.
Key takeaways
- 1926.251(a)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 33 times in the last 3 years, in 33 inspections, with $81,914 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (5), FL (4), IL (3).
- Related part: 1926.251(a) General (180 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.251(a)(2)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.251 Rigging equipment for material handling, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart H). 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
(i) Has permanently affixed and legible identification markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicate the recommended safe working load; 33 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.251.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.251(a)(2)(i).
At 9:30 a.m. on February 12, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a construction laborer for a steel and concrete contractor and was standing on one side of a 40-foot-long metal beam being loaded onto a truck. Coworker #1 was operating an excavator while Employee…
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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: TX (5), FL (4), IL (3), ME (2), UT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. | BROWNSVILLE, TX | $16,550 |
| WILLIAMS BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. | WHARTON, TX | $16,550 |
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $14,188 |
| 317736300 - ROTSCHY LLC | BOARDMAN, OR | $6,917 |
| SUMMIT STEEL, INC. | WILMINGTON, DE | $6,620 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.251(a)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.251(a)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.251(a) General 180 citations
- 1926.251(a)(1) 68 citations
- 1926.251(a)(2) 58 citations
- 1926.251(a)(6) Inspections 45 citations
- 1926.251(a)(2)(iii) 16 citations
- 1926.251(a)(4) 7 citations
- 1926.251(a)(5) Scope
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What markings must rigging have?
Permanently affixed and legible identification markings, as prescribed by the manufacturer, showing the recommended safe working load.
Can the markings be hard to read?
No. They must be legible.
Who decides what the markings say?
The manufacturer prescribes the identification markings.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.251 (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 2026-10-19
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.