1910.140(d)(2): Personal Fall Arrest System Use
Employers must make sure that on a horizontal lifeline that may become vertical, the connecting device locks in both directions. Personal fall arrest systems must be rigged so a worker cannot free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level, unless the manufacturer designed and tested the system for a longer free fall without exceeding 1,800 pounds of arresting force.
Key takeaways
- 1910.140(d)(2) 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) ("System use criteria") is one requirement inside 1910.140 Personal fall protection systems, 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
(2) System use criteria. The employer must ensure that: 34 citations
(i) On any horizontal lifeline that may become a vertical lifeline, the device used to connect to the horizontal lifeline is capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline.
(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. Open (d)(2)(ii) 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), 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).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.140(d) Personal fall arrest systems 62 citations
- 1910.140(d)(2)(ii) 34 citations
- 1910.140(d)(3) Body belts 20 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the free fall limit for a personal fall arrest system?
A worker must not be able to free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level.
Can the free fall ever be more than 6 feet?
Yes, if the employer can show the manufacturer designed the system for it and tested it so a maximum arresting force of 1,800 pounds is not exceeded.
What is required on a horizontal lifeline that may become vertical?
The connecting device must be capable of locking in both directions.
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.