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29 CFR 1910.29: Fall protection systems in general industry

Subpart D—Walking-Working Surfaces · official heading: Fall protection systems and falling object protection—criteria and practices

The specifications behind general industry fall protection: guardrails 42 inches high (plus or minus 3) and strong enough, safety nets, hole covers and other systems.

2,786citations since 2015
2,123employers cited
79%serious, willful or repeat
$0median penalty per item

OSHA has cited 29 CFR 1910.29 2,786 times since 2015, against 2,123 employers. Penalties on these items add up to $4,883,454 at their current amounts.

Citations per year

The parts of the rule cited most

1910.29(b)(1) · 676 citations

(1) The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (b) of this section (see Figure D-11 of this section).

1910.29(b)(2) · 439 citations

(2) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high:

1910.29(b)(2)(i) · 401 citations

(i) Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface;

1910.29(f)(4) · 259 citations

(4) Openings in stair rails. No opening in a stair rail system exceeds 19 inches (48 cm) at its least dimension.

1910.29(b)(3) · 159 citations

(3) Guardrail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, at any point along the top rail.

1910.29(b)(13)(i) · 66 citations

(i) Has a self-closing gate that slides or swings away from the hole, and is equipped with a top rail and midrail or equivalent intermediate member that meets the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section; or

1910.29(a)(2) · 58 citations

(2) Provide and install all fall protection systems and falling object protection this subpart requires, and comply with the other requirements in this subpart before any employee begins work that necessitates fall or falling object protection.

1910.29(b)(10) · 58 citations

(10) When guardrail systems are used at hoist areas, a removable guardrail section, consisting of a top rail and midrail, are placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when employees are not performing hoisting operations. The employer may use chains or gates instead of a removable guardrail section at hoist areas if the employer demonstrates the chains or gates provide a level of safety equivalent to guardrails.

Industries cited most

  • Manufacturing 1,147
  • Wholesale Trade 230
  • Utilities 193
  • Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 175
  • Construction 164
  • Transportation and Warehousing 162

States cited most

Recently cited employers