1926.251 Rigging Equipment: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Slings, shackles, hooks, and other rigging equipment used for material handling in construction must be inspected before use on each shift and as needed during use. Defective rigging must be removed from service, and rigging must carry permanently affixed identification markings showing its safe working load and never loaded beyond its safe working load. The section includes detailed rules for alloy steel chain, wire rope, natural and synthetic fiber rope, and synthetic web slings.
What the standard requires
- Inspect rigging before each shift and during use
- Remove damaged or defective rigging from service
- Ensure rigging has permanently affixed, legible safe working load markings
- Never load rigging beyond its recommended safe working load
Hazards it addresses
- Struck-by injuries from dropped loads
- Crushing from sling or hardware failure
Cited in steel erection, precast concrete installation, and crane-assisted construction lifts.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.251(a)(1) | Rigging equipment must be inspected before use on each shift and as necessary during use. | 18 | 18 | $2,758 |
| 1926.251(a)(6) | 13 | 13 | $3,972 | |
| 1926.251(a)(2)(i) | Rigging must have permanently affixed, legible identification markings showing its recommended safe working load, must not be loaded beyond that load, and must not be used without the markings. | 9 | 9 | $1,650 |
| 1926.251(a)(2)(iii) | Rigging must have permanently affixed, legible identification markings showing its recommended safe working load, must not be loaded beyond that load, and must not be used without the markings. | 7 | 7 | $5,462 |
| 1926.251(e)(8)(iii) | 5 | 5 | $6,621 | |
| 1926.251(a)(2)(ii) | Rigging must have permanently affixed, legible identification markings showing its recommended safe working load, must not be loaded beyond that load, and must not be used without the markings. | 4 | 4 | $9,576 |
| 1926.251(a)(4) | 3 | 3 | $4,965 | |
| 1926.251(b)(1) | 2 | 2 | $6,308 | |
| 1926.251(c)(16) | 2 | 2 | $720 | |
| 1926.251(e)(1) | 2 | 2 | $5,792 | |
| 1926.251(e)(4)(ii) | 2 | 2 | $3,902 | |
| 1926.251(a)(2) | Rigging must have permanently affixed, legible identification markings showing its recommended safe working load, must not be loaded beyond that load, and must not be used without the markings. | 1 | 1 | $473 |
| 1926.251(a)(3) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1926.251(b)(6)(i) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1926.251(b)(6)(ii) | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 74 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $379,164 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $293,997, 22% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 70%; Other-than-serious 30%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 5 | 7 | $12,556 | $7,679 |
| Maryland | 5 | 5 | $7,550 | $4,654 |
| Texas | 5 | 8 | $100,384 | $98,398 |
| Florida | 4 | 7 | $31,400 | $22,131 |
| Virginia | 4 | 5 | $5,285 | $3,880 |
| Hawaii | 3 | 5 | $16,550 | $16,550 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 4 | $21,515 | $21,515 |
| Iowa | 2 | 2 | $7,170 | $6,934 |
| Kentucky | 2 | 2 | $8,400 | $6,930 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 2 | $19,153 | $19,153 |
| New Jersey | 2 | 4 | $38,303 | $38,303 |
| Nevada | 2 | 2 | $7,436 | $5,406 |
| New York | 2 | 2 | $4,965 | $0 |
| Ohio | 2 | 4 | $33,100 | $0 |
| South Dakota | 2 | 4 | $9,997 | $6,323 |
| Washington | 2 | 2 | $14,564 | $9,665 |
| Alaska | 1 | 1 | $3,826 | $2,678 |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | $11,823 | $11,823 |
| Colorado | 1 | 1 | $8,276 | $4,966 |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,135 |
By industry
- Construction: 50 inspections
- Manufacturing: 2 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Marine Construction | Ketchikan, AK | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,826 | $2,678 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| New Image Contracting, LLC | Highland, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Reebals, Incorporated | Providence Forge, VA | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $1,440 | $1,008 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Roger General Construction LLC | Hagerstown, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Criker Construction LLC | Loveland, CO | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $8,276 | $4,966 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Superior Mechanical Systems Inc. | Bradenton, FL | Aug 7, 2026 | 2 | $13,242 | $3,973 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| L&L Lopes Construction Inc. | West Roxbury, MA | Aug 3, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenAbatement due Aug 11, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Lozano Welding and Fabrication LLC | Springdale, OH | Jul 14, 2026 | 2 | $23,170 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ferreira Construction Co., Inc. | Newark, NJ | Jul 10, 2026 | 2 | $28,373 | $28,373 | ContestedAbatement due Jul 23, 2026Contested Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Selvin Construction LLC | Joliet, IL | Jul 10, 2026 | 2 | $4,256 | $2,128 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Native Rock LLC | Kailua Kona, HI | Jul 9, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| American Aerial Services, Inc. | Augusta, ME | Jun 30, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $3,476 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Solar Gaines, LLC | Sparrows Point, MD | Jun 24, 2026 | 1 | $2,250 | $1,280 | Formal settlementAbatement due Jul 2, 2026Contested Jul 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| PRH Services, Inc. | Reno, NV | Jun 16, 2026 | 1 | $1,809 | $904 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Advanced American Construction, Inc. | White Salmon, WA | Jun 12, 2026 | 1 | $9,268 | $6,488 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Haydon Bridge Company Inc. | Sewellton, KY | Jun 11, 2026 | 1 | $4,900 | $3,430 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Reddico Construction Co., Inc. | Alvin, TX | Jun 8, 2026 | 1 | $6,752 | $6,752 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc. | La Porte, TX | Jun 3, 2026 | 4 | $53,912 | $53,912 | ContestedAbatement due Jun 23, 2026Contested Jun 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Carlton Structural Services Corp. | Atlantic City, NJ | Jun 2, 2026 | 2 | $9,930 | $9,930 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hme Construction Inc. | Vancouver, WA | Jun 1, 2026 | 1 | $5,296 | $3,178 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| B&M Erectors LLC | Danville, VA | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $600 | $600 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Frederick, MD | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due May 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sheds Unlimited LLC | Easton, MD | May 12, 2026 | 1 | $1,650 | $549 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Wen XU Guo | Kaneohe, HI | Apr 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Malone, NY | Apr 8, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Revoli Construction Co., Inc. | South Yarmouth, MA | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $14,188 | $14,188 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 28, 2026Contested Apr 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Abbey Construction Co., Inc. | Palatine, IL | Mar 20, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| AD Brothers Enterprises Incorporated | Braselton, GA | Mar 6, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,135 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| CB Concrete LLC | Cincinnati, OH | Feb 26, 2026 | 2 | $9,930 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Monaco Construction Inc. | Cary, NC | Feb 24, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Marshall Crane LLC | Paducah, KY | Feb 20, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | ContestedAbatement due Feb 24, 2026Contested Feb 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Boschen Masonry, Inc. | Richmond, VA | Feb 10, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Lust Woodworks Inc. | Forestburgh, NY | Feb 3, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| McCain Construction LLC | Surprise, AZ | Jan 29, 2026 | 1 | $11,823 | $11,823 | OpenAbatement due Jan 29, 2026Contest deadline ~Feb 20, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Megalodon Marine Construction LLC | Stuart, FL | Jan 29, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | ContestedAbatement due Feb 25, 2026Contested Feb 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| ZA Construction of MS, LLC | Green Mountain, NC | Jan 29, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | ContestedAbatement due Feb 2, 2026Contested Mar 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Winston Contracting LLC | Green Mountain, NC | Jan 29, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Principal Services, Ltd. | Rosenberg, TX | Jan 21, 2026 | 1 | $6,620 | $4,634 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Keller Excavating, Inc. | Huxley, IA | Jan 16, 2026 | 1 | $473 | $236 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Sterling Equipment, Inc. | East Providence, RI | Jan 16, 2026 | 1 | $8,276 | $1,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.651 Excavation Safety (11 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (11 shared inspections)
- 1926.652 Trench Cave-In Protection (10 shared inspections)
- 1926.21 Construction Safety Training (9 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (9 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (7 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (7 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (6 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.251 require?
Slings, shackles, hooks, and other rigging equipment used for material handling in construction must be inspected before use on each shift and as needed during use. Defective rigging must be removed from service, and rigging must carry permanently affixed identification markings showing its safe working load and never loaded beyond its safe working load. The section includes detailed rules for alloy steel chain, wire rope, natural and synthetic fiber rope, and synthetic web slings.
How often was 1926.251 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.251 (Rigging Equipment) appeared in 54 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 74 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.251 is cited most?
1926.251(a)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 18 items: Rigging equipment must be inspected before use on each shift and as necessary during use.
Which states cite 1926.251 most often?
The most citations under 1926.251 in this period were issued in Illinois, Maryland, Texas.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.251 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $4,114; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $1,484. Totals: $379,164 proposed, $293,997 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.251 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 26% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.