1910.140(c)(20): Protect Fall Protection Gear From Damage
Employers must make sure ropes, belts, lanyards, lifelines and harnesses used for personal fall protection are protected from being cut, abraded, melted or otherwise damaged.
Key takeaways
- 1910.140(c)(20) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $36,825 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (3), MA (2), CT (1).
- Related part: 1910.140(c) General requirements (196 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.140(c)(20) is one requirement inside 1910.140 Personal fall protection systems, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). 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
(20) Ropes, belts, lanyards, lifelines, and harnesses used for personal fall protection must be protected from being cut, abraded, melted, or otherwise damaged. 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.140.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.140(c)(20).
At 3:30 p.m. on April 4, 2024, an employee working as a helper for a landscapingcompany was cutting tree branches when he contacted a 7.2-kilivolt power line. The employee died when he was electrocuted from contact with the power lines.
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 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TX (3), MA (2), CT (1), PA (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LAMAR TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | WHEELING, WV | $9,218 |
| DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT, INC. | CARLISLE, PA | $6,000 |
| R&M COMPLETIONS, INC. | RANKIN, TX | $3,476 |
| HAPPY MANSION, LLC | PHARR, TX | $3,215 |
| BELKNAP LANDSCAPE, LLC | WOLFEBORO, NH | $3,200 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.140(c)(20), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.140(c)(20).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.140(c) General requirements 196 citations
- 1910.140(c)(18) 65 citations
- 1910.140(c)(13) 49 citations
- 1910.140(c)(13)(i) 27 citations
- 1910.140(c)(13)(ii) 22 citations
- 1910.140(c)(11) 10 citations
- 1910.140(c)(10) 10 citations
- 1910.140(c)(21) 8 citations
- 1910.140(c)(17) 8 citations
- 1910.140(c)(12) 7 citations
- 1910.140(c)(10)(i) 5 citations
- 1910.140(c)(19) 3 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What gear does this rule cover?
Ropes, belts, lanyards, lifelines, and harnesses used for personal fall protection.
What damage must be prevented?
Being cut, abraded, melted, or otherwise damaged.
What about sharp edges?
Gear must be protected from being cut or abraded, which includes contact with sharp edges.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.140 (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.