3M DBI-SALA Saflok Self Locking Carabiner — Steel, 11/16 in Gate

The 3M DBI-SALA Saflok self locking carabiner

A self locking carabiner closes and locks its gate on its own, and the 3M DBI-SALA Saflok is a steel one built for fall protection: an 11/16 inch gate opening on an alloy-steel D-shaped body, made in the USA to OSHA and ANSI Z359. Release the gate and it self-closes and locks automatically, so it cannot roll open or disconnect under load without a deliberate action — the safety margin a fall-protection connector needs. It is the piece that joins the rest of your system together.

Shoppers searching a fall arrest carabiner or a carabiner for safety harness land here; as a rated steel carabiner and an ansi z359 carabiner, it is a jobsite connector, not a hardware-store clip. Match the 11/16 inch gate to what you are clipping, covered below.

Key features

• Self-locking, self-closing gate — locks automatically on release
• 11/16 in gate opening; alloy-steel D-shape, ~8 oz
• Built to OSHA and ANSI Z359 for fall protection
• Made in the USA by 3M
• The connector layer — harness, lanyard, grab, or anchor
• Industrial/occupational use only

Pros & cons

Specifications

What the Saflok is for

The connector role in a fall arrest rig — the C in the ABCs. It joins a harness to a lanyard, a lanyard to an anchor, or a rope grab to a harness, on any work-at-height job. It sits in the carabiners & connectors collection, is the connector step in the ABCDs of fall protection and the fall protection equipment guide, and applies wherever a fall hazard triggers the rules in when is fall protection required.

Building the system around the connector

Use the Saflok to connect a harness from the full body harnesses collection — inspected to the harness inspection checklist — to a lanyard from the lanyards collection or the best fall protection lanyards guide, and on to an anchor from the anchor points collection sized to the anchor strength requirements. It also connects a rope grab on a vertical lifeline — see the best vertical lifelines & rope grabs guide — or an anchor from the best roof anchors guide, and pairs with a suspension trauma strap for the rescue plan.

How the Saflok compares

The Petzl BMD is an alternative fall-protection carabiner, and the Petzl Eashook is an open-style connector for faster clipping; a D-ring extender adds reach at the harness. For the components the Saflok connects, see the self-retracting lifelines and the shock-absorbing lanyard vs SRL guide, or build a complete rig from the best fall protection kits. Everything lives in the fall protection collection.

Safety note: a carabiner is one connector in a system — it does not protect you on its own. Use it only with rated fall-protection components to build a compliant personal fall arrest system under OSHA 1926.502. Load it along its major axis only; never side-load or three-way load a carabiner, never clip it back onto its own gate, and confirm the gate locks fully before each use. Remove it from service if it fails to self-lock or shows any crack, corrosion, or deformation.

Ordering FAQ

Is the 3M DBI-SALA Saflok carabiner in stock and ready to ship?
Yes — this listing is active and ships through Amazon. The linked Amazon listing carries live price and delivery.

What does self-locking, self-closing mean?
The gate closes on its own when released and then locks automatically, so it cannot be opened by a single accidental push. Opening it takes a deliberate, separate action — which prevents roll-out and accidental disconnection under load.

How wide is the gate opening?
11/16 inch (about 0.69 in). That opening determines what it will clip onto — a D-ring, an anchor connector, or a lanyard eye that fits within the gate.

What is it made of?
Alloy steel in a D-shape, about 8 oz, finished in gold. Steel gives a high strength-to-size ratio and durability for repeated jobsite connections.

Is the Saflok OSHA compliant?
3M builds it to OSHA and ANSI Z359 fall-protection standards. As a connector it forms part of a compliant fall arrest rig when used with rated components under OSHA 1926.502.

What does a carabiner do in a fall protection system?
It is the connector — the C in the ABCs of fall protection — that joins the pieces: harness to lanyard, lanyard to anchor, or grab to harness. It must be rated for fall protection, not a hardware-store clip.

Can I use it for rock or tree climbing?
No — 3M labels this an industrial/occupational fall-protection product. It is not intended, labeled, or packaged for recreational or sporting climbing use.

How is a self-locking carabiner different from a screw-gate?
A self-locking gate locks automatically the instant you release it; a screw-gate needs you to manually thread a sleeve closed. Self-locking is faster and removes the risk of forgetting to lock it.

What can I connect it to?
Any rated fall-protection component whose attachment point fits the 11/16 inch gate — a harness D-ring, a lanyard or shock absorber, a rope grab, or an anchor connector. Always check gate compatibility and avoid side or three-way loading.

Where is it made?
The Saflok is made in the United States by 3M.

How do I inspect the carabiner before use?
Check that the gate opens, self-closes, and locks fully, that the body is free of cracks, corrosion, gouges, and deformation, and that the gate and locking sleeve move freely. Remove it from service if it fails to lock or shows damage.

How do I reorder for a crew?
Reorder from this page — the linked Amazon listing makes equipping each worker with rated connectors quick.

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