1910.140(d)(2)(ii): 6-Foot Free Fall Limit
Employers must rig personal fall arrest systems so a worker cannot free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level. A longer free fall is allowed only if the employer can show the manufacturer designed the system for it and tested it so the maximum arresting force does not exceed 1,800 pounds.
Key takeaways
- 1910.140(d)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $121,825 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (5), TN (5), OR (5).
- Related part: 1910.140(d) Personal fall arrest systems (62 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.140(d)(2)(ii) 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
(ii) Personal fall arrest systems are rigged in such a manner that the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or contact a lower level. A free fall may be more than 6 feet (1.8 m) provided the employer can demonstrate the manufacturer designed the system to allow a free fall of more than 6 feet and tested the system to ensure a maximum arresting force of 1,800 pounds (8 kN) is not exceeded. 34 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.140.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: NV (5), TN (5), OR (5), IL (2), FL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DELTA STAR, INC. DBA DELTA STAR EAST | LYNCHBURG, VA | $16,287 |
| BERRY GLOBAL, INC | SPARKS, NV | $11,823 |
| JENKINTOWN BUILDING SERVICES, INC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $11,585 |
| EXACTDISTRIBUTION LLC | MARIETTA, GA | $9,931 |
| S&S TRUCK PARTS, LLC | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $8,228 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.140(d)(2)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.140(d)(2)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.140(d) Personal fall arrest systems 62 citations
- 1910.140(d)(2) System use criteria 34 citations
- 1910.140(d)(3) Body belts 20 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How far can a worker free fall in a personal fall arrest system?
No more than 6 feet, and the worker must not contact a lower level.
When is more than 6 feet of free fall allowed?
When the employer can show the manufacturer designed the system for it and tested it to keep the arresting force at or under 1,800 pounds.
Does this apply to general industry?
Yes. This paragraph is in 1910.140, the general industry personal fall protection rule.
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 2026-10-21
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.