1926.753(d)(2): Working Under Suspended Steel Loads
When working under suspended loads in steel erection, materials being hoisted must be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement, hooks must have self-closing safety latches or the equivalent, and all loads must be rigged by a qualified rigger.
Key takeaways
- 1926.753(d)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $55,696 in current penalties.
- Most citations: FL (2), NC (2), TX (2).
- Related part: 1926.753(d) Working under loads (16 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.753(d)(2) is one requirement inside 1926.753 Hoisting and rigging, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart R). It includes 3 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
(2) When working under suspended loads, the following criteria shall be met: 14 citations
(i) Materials being hoisted shall be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement; 3 citations
(ii) Hooks with self-closing safety latches or their equivalent shall be used to prevent components from slipping out of the hook; and 3 citations
(iii) All loads shall be rigged by a qualified rigger 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.753.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: FL (2), NC (2), TX (2), KY (2), IL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 159485 - ZA CONSTRUCTION OF MS, LLC | GREEN MOUNTAIN, NC | $16,550 |
| LFC MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. | NAPLES, FL | $11,585 |
| 68624 - A - K CONSTRUCTION INC | PADUCAH, KY | $7,000 |
| BMS CONSTRUCTION, LLC | HORSESHOE BAY, TX | $5,937 |
| RAW WELDING INC. | FALMOUTH, MA | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.753(d)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.753(d)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.753(d) Working under loads 16 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
Who must rig loads when people work under them?
A qualified rigger.
What hooks are required?
Hooks with self-closing safety latches or their equivalent.
How must hoisted materials be rigged?
To prevent unintentional displacement.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.753 (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.