1926.251(e): Synthetic Web Slings
Employers must have synthetic web slings marked with manufacturer, rated capacities by hitch and material type, and never exceed rated capacity. Webbing, fittings and stitching must meet stated requirements, slings must not be used around certain chemicals or above 180 °F for polyester and nylon or 200 °F for polypropylene, and damaged slings must be removed from service immediately.
Key takeaways
- 1926.251(e) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 39 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $54,067 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (9), NY (7), OH (4).
- Related part: 1926.251(e)(8) Removal from service (27 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.251(e) ("Synthetic webbing") is one requirement inside 1926.251 Rigging equipment for material handling, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart H). It includes 21 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) Synthetic webbing (nylon, polyester, and polypropylene). 39 citations
(1) The employer shall have each synthetic web sling marked or coded to show: Open (e)(1) 6 citations
(i) Name or trademark of manufacturer. 1 citations
(ii) Rated capacities for the type of hitch. Open (e)(1)(ii) 3 citations
(iii) Type of material.
(2) Rated capacity shall not be exceeded.
(3) Webbing. Synthetic webbing shall be of uniform thickness and width and selvage edges shall not be split from the webbing's width.
(4) Fittings. Fittings shall be: Open (e)(4) 6 citations
(i) Of a minimum breaking strength equal to that of the sling; and
(ii) Free of all sharp edges that could in any way damage the webbing. Open (e)(4)(ii) 6 citations
(5) Attachment of end fittings to webbing and formation of eyes. Stitching shall be the only method used to attach end fittings to webbing and to form eyes. The thread shall be in an even pattern and contain a sufficient number of stitches to develop the full breaking strength of the sling.
(6) Environmental conditions. When synthetic web slings are used, the following precautions shall be taken:
(i) Nylon web slings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of acids or phenolics are present.
(ii) Polyester and polypropylene web slings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of caustics are present.
(iii) Web slings with aluminum fittings shall not be used where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of caustics are present.
(7) Safe operating temperatures. Synthetic web slings of polyester and nylon shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 180 °F (82.2 °C). Polypropylene web slings shall not be used at temperatures in excess of 200 °F (93.33 °C).
(8) Removal from service. Synthetic web slings shall be immediately removed from service if any of the following conditions are present: Open (e)(8) 27 citations
(i) Acid or caustic burns;
(ii) Melting or charring of any part of the sling surface; Open (e)(8)(ii) 2 citations
(iii) Snags, punctures, tears or cuts; Open (e)(8)(iii) 17 citations
(iv) Broken or worn stitches; or Open (e)(8)(iv) 3 citations
(v) Distortion of fittings.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.251.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.251(e).
At 3:00 p.m. on December 19, 2024, Employee #1 was sitting on a trailer where heavy equipment was loaded onto the trailer bed. While seated, a steel guard from an excavation trencher slipped off a counterweight and struck him in the head. Employee #1 sustained…
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 | 11 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: TX (9), NY (7), OH (4), IL (3), MD (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 595 CONSTRUCTION LLC | ELBURN, IL | $12,421 |
| LEGENDARY CONSTRUCTION LLC | LEMONT, IL | $6,875 |
| GLOBAL EARTHWORKS + UNDERGROUND LLC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $4,966 |
| CUSTOM TRENCH INC | GEORGETOWN, TX | $4,966 |
| BRADLEY FRAMING LLC. | CINCINNATI, OH | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.251(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.251(e).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.251(e)(8) Removal from service 27 citations
- 1926.251(e)(8)(iii) 17 citations
- 1926.251(e)(4)(ii) 6 citations
- 1926.251(e)(4) Fittings 6 citations
- 1926.251(e)(1) 6 citations
- 1926.251(e)(8)(iv) 3 citations
- 1926.251(e)(1)(ii) 3 citations
- 1926.251(e)(8)(ii) 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
What must a synthetic web sling be marked with?
Name or trademark of manufacturer, rated capacities for the type of hitch, and type of material.
What temperature limits apply?
Polyester and nylon slings shall not be used above 180 °F (82.2 °C); polypropylene slings shall not be used above 200 °F (93.33 °C).
When can nylon web slings not be used?
Where fumes, vapors, sprays, mists or liquids of acids or phenolics are present.
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.