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Recognized hazards

OSHA determines whether a hazard is “recognized” by looking at several sources, including:

• Industry consensus standards like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA);
• An employer’s own safety rules and training materials;
• Previous incidents involving the hazard; and
• Industry recognition of the hazard, such as statements by safety or health experts who are familiar with the relevant conditions, and evidence of implementation of abatement methods to deal with the particular hazard by other members of the employer's industry.

Examples of recognized hazards include:

• Employees operating forklifts without wearing available seat belts;
• Damaged warehouse racks that could collapse;
• Workplace violence risks in certain settings, such as healthcare or gas stations, where the hazard is well documented; and
• Employees riding on the exterior rear step of refuse-collection trucks while vehicles are in transit.

Struck-by hazards and combustible dust are also recognized hazards. Recent cases where OSHA cited the GDC include:

• Employees walking in poorly illuminated areas on a jobsite where heavy vehicle traffic was present, and
• Employees exposed to fire and explosions associated with combustible dust generated during the manufacturing of dietary supplements.

Ergonomic hazards include strain from activities such as lifting, pushing, or repetitive motion. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back injuries can result from these exposures.

Identifying and controlling recognized hazards

A proactive approach is the best defense against a GDC citation. Conducting a job hazard analysis (JHA) helps identify hazards that might otherwise be missed. Observe employees as they perform tasks and ask for their input. They may identify hazards that employers or safety professionals don’t recognize, especially with tasks that occur infrequently or only under specific conditions.

In addition to JHAs, reviewing injury and illness records, near-miss reports, incident investigations, equipment manuals, workers’ compensation claims, industry guidance, and consensus standards can also provide insights.

Once you identify hazards, determine which ones don’t have an OSHA standard, like heat or ergonomics, and prioritize those that could cause serious physical harm or death. Consider the hierarchy of controls and whether the hazard can be eliminated or reduced.

Put reasonable controls in place (such as water, rest breaks, and shade for heat, or lift-assist devices for repeated manual lifting) and keep records showing what’s been done. Documented JHAs, training records, inspection logs, and corrective action reports can all help show that you took the hazard seriously and acted to protect employees.

The GDC and “inherently risky professions”

On July 1, 2025, OSHA issued a proposed rule that would limit the scope of the GDC. If finalized, OSHA could no longer use the GDC to cite employers of “inherently risky professions,” which includes such activities as motor sports, animal handling and performance, and combat simulation training. (See our related article, “OSHA proposes giving employers with ‘inherently risky professions’ a free pass.”) The agency’s most recent regulatory and deregulatory agenda, published July 3, 2026, reveals OSHA intends to hold public hearings on the proposal starting mid-August.

Key to remember: OSHA uses the General Duty Clause to cite serious, recognized hazards for which there’s no OSHA standard. When you identify and control these hazards and document your actions, OSHA may find it more difficult to establish the four elements necessary for a GDC citation.

Where lifting risks begin

They often build from small decisions that seem harmless at the time: using a sling “just one more time,” assuming the load weight is close enough, ignoring a worn edge, or grabbing whatever sling is nearby because the job needs to keep moving.

Slings aren’t all designed for the same conditions. Alloy steel chain, wire rope, synthetic web, synthetic round slings, metal mesh, and fiber rope all have different strengths, limits, and inspection concerns. A sling that works well for one task may be a poor choice for another if the load has sharp edges, high heat, chemical exposure, abrasion points, or an unstable center of gravity.

Additionally, many incidents lead back to load control. A suspended load does not have to fall straight down to hurt someone. It can swing, shift, rotate, pinch, or strike nearby workers if the lift is not planned and controlled.

Controls that help keep the load secure

Those risks are why the inspection and planning steps cannot be treated as a quick formality. Before the hook is raised, the crew needs to confirm that the sling fits the load, the conditions, and the way the load will move. OSHA’s sling requirements for general industry are found in 1910.184, and construction rigging requirements are addressed under 1926.251, but the practical goal is the same: use a sling that is suitable, inspected, properly identified, and within its rated capacity.

A stronger lift starts with slowing down long enough to answer a few basic questions during the setup:

• Load planning: Confirm the weight, center of gravity, attachment points, hitch type, sling angle, and travel path at the planning stage. Guessing may feel faster, but it removes the safety margin the lift depends on.
• Sling inspection: Look for cuts, burns, broken wires, crushed areas, stretched links, chemical damage, corrosion, damaged stitching, knots, or hardware that does not match the sling’s capacity. If the sling is damaged, questionable, or missing required identification, remove it from service.
• Edge and surface protection: Protect slings from sharp, rough, or abrasive load edges that can cut, crush, or wear down the material once tension is applied. Padding, sleeves, corner protectors, or a different sling type may be needed based on the load and conditions.
• Worker positioning and communication: Keep employees clear of areas where the load could swing, shift, or fall. Use clear signals, taglines when appropriate, and stop the lift if conditions change or communication breaks down.

The compliance side of sling safety

The requirements should show up in everyday lifting practices, not just in the written program. Slings must be inspected before use, damaged or defective slings must be removed from service, and slings must not be loaded beyond their rated capacity. In construction, rigging equipment must also have permanently affixed and legible identification markings that show the recommended safe working load, and equipment without those markings cannot be used.

The tag matters. The condition matters. The configuration matters. And the person selecting and using the sling needs to understand how those pieces work together while the load is still on the ground.

Key to remember: Every lift depends on using the right sling the right way. Confirm that it is rated, marked, and protected from damage, and keep employees clear of the suspended load.