1926.753(d): Working Under Suspended Steel Loads
Employers must pre-plan suspended load routes so no employee works directly below a load, except those making the initial steel connection or hooking and unhooking the load. When working under loads, materials must be rigged to prevent unintentional displacement, hooks must have self-closing safety latches or equivalent, and all loads must be rigged by a qualified rigger.
Key takeaways
- 1926.753(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $63,245 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (3), FL (2), NC (2).
- Related part: 1926.753(d)(2) (14 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.753(d) ("Working under loads") is one requirement inside 1926.753 Hoisting and rigging, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart R). 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
(d) Working under loads. 16 citations
(1) Routes for suspended loads shall be pre-planned to ensure that no employee is required to work directly below a suspended load except for: 2 citations
(i) Employees engaged in the initial connection of the steel; or
(ii) Employees necessary for the hooking or unhooking of the load.
(2) When working under suspended loads, the following criteria shall be met: Open (d)(2) 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: TX (3), FL (2), NC (2), KY (2), WY (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), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Wire rope clips on suspension scaffolds; safety latches on large crane hooks; order of assembly for hanging scaffolds; and horizontal lifeline design. (2004-03-04)
- Fall protection requirements of various construction (1926) standards. (2001-09-18)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.753(d)(2) 14 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who may work directly below a suspended load in steel erection?
Only employees engaged in the initial connection of the steel or necessary for hooking or unhooking the load.
What hooks are required?
Hooks with self-closing safety latches or their equivalent.
Who must rig the loads?
A qualified rigger.
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.