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Metal tool hooks on linemen body belts

Summary A utility asked whether a slip-on tool hook could be used on a lineman’s body belt. OSHA’s regional office said its interim view was that exposed metal against the wearer violated the belt requirement and posed shock risk. It sent the question to headquarters for a final response, which the page does not include.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1980-06-06
Date issued
June 6, 1980
Status
Unknown
OSHA calls this an interim regional opinion and says a final headquarters answer will follow; the page contains no final answer.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Electrical Safety Fall Protection
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA calls this an interim regional opinion and says a final headquarters answer will follow; the page contains no final answer. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
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.

June 6, 1980

Mr. Jack Buchanan
Director, Safety Services
Kansas Gas and Electric Company
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Buchanan:

This is in response to your request which was forwarded from our Wichita Area Office concerning the use of your slip on tool hook.

It is our interim opinion that your tool hook does not meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.951(b)(2). Since this tool hook is in direct contact with the lineman's body, there could be a danger of electrical shock. As stated in 29 CFR 1926.951(b)(2), "the cushion part of the body belt shall contain no exposed rivets on the inside." This also would mean that no metal parts at all should be exposed on the inside of the belt.

A copy of your correspondence and picture, along with a copy of this interim response, is being sent to our National Office requesting review, concurrence, correction and/or additions as applicable. Upon receipt of a reply, we will give you a final answer.

We appreciate your concern for occupational safety and health, and if we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Adkins
Assistant Regional Administrator
Office of Technical Support

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