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Alloy steel chain in overhead hoisting

Summary A tool maker asked about chain slings under OSHA’s general-industry standard. OSHA said the cited rule specifically addressed alloy steel chain for overhead hoisting and did not itself prohibit other chain. It noted that chain manufacturers recommended alloy steel for that use; an enclosed specification is not reproduced on the page.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1978-05-18
Date issued
May 18, 1978
Status
Active
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Material Handling Slings
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

MAY 18, 1978

Mr. Merle E. Broich
Safety Coordinator
Owatonna Tool Company
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Mr. Broich:

This is in response to your letter dated April 24, 1978, regarding interpretations of standards for chain slings in 29 CFR 1910.184.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration General Industry Standards specifically address alloy steel chain slings used in the movement of material by hoisting machinery. The use of other than alloy steel chain is not prohibited specifically in 29 CFR 1910.184, but only alloy steel chain is recommended by chain manufacturers for overhead hoisting. A copy of the American Society for testing and materials A 391-65 (Reapproved 1970) standard specification for alloy steel chain has been enclosed to properly describe alloy steel chain.

I hope this information will be helpful to you. If I may be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
John K. Barto, Chief
Division of Occupational
Safety Programming

Enclosure

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