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Rigging Equipment for Material Handling (Construction)
For riggers and crane crews on construction sites: shift inspections, identification markings and rated loads, and the rules for alloy steel chain, wire rope, fiber rope and synthetic web slings, shackles and hooks, including when to remove a sling from service.
Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251 · about 4 min read
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Rigging equipment is inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during use. Each day before use, a competent person designated by the employer inspects the sling and all fastenings and attachments. Defective gear is removed from service.
Rigging must have permanently affixed and legible identification markings showing the recommended safe working load, must not be loaded beyond it, and must not be used without those markings.
Rigging not in use is removed from the immediate work area.
Special custom design grabs, hooks, clamps or other lifting accessories (for units such as modular panels and prefabricated structures) are marked with safe working loads and proof-tested to 125 percent of their rated load before use.
Chain slings carry durable ID showing size, grade, rated capacity and manufacturer.
Hooks, rings, links and other attachments used with the chain have a rated capacity at least equal to the chain.
Job or shop hooks and makeshift fasteners formed from bolts or rods must not be used.
When wear on any link exceeds Table H-1, the assembly is removed from service.
A thorough periodic inspection is done on a regular basis, at intervals no greater than 12 months, and the employer records the most recent month of inspection for each chain sling.
Do not secure wire rope with knots (except haul back lines on scrapers), and do not form eyes in slings with wire rope clips or knots.
Remove wire rope if, in any length of eight diameters, visible broken wires exceed 10 percent of the total wires, or there are other signs of excessive wear, corrosion or defect.
Where U-bolt wire rope clips are used to form eyes (not in slings, bridles or bull wires), Table H-2 sets the number and spacing of clips, and for eye splices the U section goes on the dead end of the rope.
Fiber core wire rope slings exposed to more than 200°F are permanently removed from service.
Wire rope slings are marked with size, rated capacity for the hitches used and the angle it is based on, and the number of legs if more than one.
Splices follow the manufacturer's recommendations and minimum tuck counts; knots are not used in place of splices.
Removed from service immediately for: abnormal wear; powdered fiber between strands; broken or cut fibers; variations in strand size or roundness; discoloration or rotting; or distorted hardware.
Synthetic web slings (nylon, polyester, polypropylene)
Marked with manufacturer, rated capacities for the hitch, and material. Rated capacity is not exceeded.
Stitching is the only method to attach end fittings and form eyes.
Nylon is not used around acids or phenolics; polyester and polypropylene are not used around caustics; web slings with aluminum fittings are not used around caustics either.
Removed immediately for: acid or caustic burns; melting or charring; snags, punctures, tears or cuts; broken or worn stitches; or distorted fittings.
Shackles are not loaded beyond the rated capacity (working load limit) shown on their permanent markings.
Hook safe working loads follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Hooks with no manufacturer recommendations are tested to twice the intended safe working load before first use, and the employer keeps a record of the test dates and results.
Fact-checked against the regulation text on October 09, 2026. This certificate records completion of awareness training based on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.251. It is not an OSHA card or license, and it does not make anyone a qualified rigger or competent person. Section 1926.251 has no training requirement of its own, and this certificate does not by itself meet the employer's training duty under 29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2). Your employer must still instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to their work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury, and must designate the competent person who inspects each sling and all fastenings and attachments each day before use (29 CFR 1926.251(a)(6)).
This guide explains the rule in plain words. Always read the regulation itself and your employer's site-specific procedures.