---
title: "How often must rigging equipment be inspected under 29 CFR 1926.251, and what happens to defective equipment? Answer in under 100 words."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/crane-rigging/often-must-rigging-equipment-inspected-under-29-cfr-1926-251-happens-defective
jurisdiction: "US Federal · OSHA Construction Standard"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# How often must rigging equipment be inspected under 29 CFR 1926.251, and what happens to defective equipment? Answer in under 100 words.

Under 29 CFR 1926.251, rigging equipment must be visually inspected prior to use on each shift and as necessary during use. Any defective rigging equipment must be immediately removed from service and cannot be used again until it is repaired or replaced.

## Details / How it works

**29 CFR § 1926.251(a)(1)** requires that **all rigging equipment** (including slings, hooks, shackles, grabs, clamps, and similar accessories) intended for material handling be visually inspected **prior to use on each work shift** and **as necessary during use** to ensure safe condition. The employer is responsible for ensuring these inspections are performed.

**When equipment is defective:**
- The standard explicitly states: "Defective rigging equipment shall be removed from service" (§ 1926.251(a)(1)).
- It remains out of service until repaired or replaced (§ 1926.251(a)(1)).

## Numbers & thresholds

| Requirement | Detail |
|-------------|--------|
| Inspection frequency – general rigging | Prior to use on each shift and as necessary during use |
| Inspection frequency – slings (daily) | Each day before use by a competent person; additional inspections during use as warranted |
| Defective equipment action | Immediately removed from service; not reused until repaired or replaced |
| Alloy steel chain sling periodic inspection | At least once every 12 months, with records maintained (§ 1926.251(b)(6)) |

## Exceptions & edge cases

**Slings** have additional inspection requirements:
- **Daily inspection:** Each day before use, a **competent person** designated by the employer must inspect the sling and all fastenings and attachments for damage or defects (§ 1926.251(a)(6)).
- **Alloy steel chain slings** require a **thorough periodic inspection** at least **once every 12 months**, with the employer maintaining a record of the most recent month of inspection (§ 1926.251(b)(6)).
- More frequent inspections are required if service conditions (e.g., high loads, abrasive materials) warrant.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 29 CFR 1926.251 — Rigging equipment for material handling · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.251 · as of 2026-08-26