1910.135(a): When Protective Helmets Are Required
Employers must make sure each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working where there is a potential for head injury from falling objects. Employees near exposed electrical conductors that could contact the head must wear a helmet designed to reduce electrical shock hazard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.135(a) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 217 times in the last 3 years, in 217 inspections, with $810,365 in current penalties.
- 14 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (22), TX (22), FL (22).
- Related part: 1910.135(a)(1) (212 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.135(a) ("General requirements") is one requirement inside 1910.135 Head protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(a) General requirements. 217 citations
(1) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects. Open (a)(1) 212 citations
(2) The employer shall ensure that a protective helmet designed to reduce electrical shock hazard is worn by each such affected employee when near exposed electrical conductors which could contact the head. 5 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.135.
Injuries linked to this rule
14 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.135(a).
At 12:00 a.m. on January 20, 2025, Employee #1 was working in a truck bucket approximately 40 feet above ground when he was struck by a branch and fell out of the bucket. Emergency medical services were called and initiated life-saving measures at the scene.…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 72 |
| 2026 | 47 |
Top states: NY (22), TX (22), FL (22), VA (18), KY (14)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VIRGINIA TRANSFORMER CORP. | TROUTVILLE, VA | $92,244 |
| ROBERT HOISINGTON | DOVER, DE | $16,550 |
| OLSEN'S LANDSCAPING AND TREE SERVICE | GREENWOOD LAKE, NY | $16,550 |
| TRANSFORM SR LLC | EL PASO, TX | $15,000 |
| CAVCO INDUSTRIES INC. | AUSTIN, TX | $13,828 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.135(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA's Head Protection Requirements and Selection and Use of Type II Safety Helmets (2026-08-17)
- Cranes and the use of protective helmets (2024-06-06)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.135(a)(1) 212 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who must make sure helmets are worn?
The employer must ensure each affected employee wears one.
When is a helmet required?
When working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.
Is any helmet acceptable near live conductors?
No. It must be a protective helmet designed to reduce electrical shock hazard.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.135 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.