1910.22(d)(2): Fix or Guard Hazardous Walking Surfaces
Employers must correct or repair hazardous conditions on walking-working surfaces before employees use them again. If the repair cannot be made right away, the hazard must be guarded to keep employees off the surface until it is fixed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.22(d)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 184 times in the last 3 years, in 184 inspections, with $557,166 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (22), NY (13), NC (10).
- Related part: 1910.22(d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair (590 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.22(d)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.22 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). 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) Hazardous conditions on walking-working surfaces are corrected or repaired before an employee uses the walking-working surface again. If the correction or repair cannot be made immediately, the hazard must be guarded to prevent employees from using the walking-working surface until the hazard is corrected or repaired; and 184 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.22.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.22(d)(2).
At 2:00 p.m. on November 8, 2023, an employee slipped/fell and declined medical attention at the time. The employee was found unresponsive at his home. The employee died.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 58 |
| 2025 | 76 |
| 2026 | 36 |
Top states: MI (22), NY (13), NC (10), PR (8), MA (8)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 156729 - SJM MARKETPLACE VENTURES LLC | LENOIR, NC | $46,875 |
| 68812 - KROGER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP I | LEXINGTON, KY | $39,200 |
| 68274 - CSX INTERMODAL TERMINALS INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $35,000 |
| 155514 - SJM MARKETPLACE VENTURES LLC | LENOIR, NC | $31,250 |
| 317735507 - UNITED STATES BAKERY | MCMINNVILLE, OR | $27,663 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.22(d)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.22(d)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.22(d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair 590 citations
- 1910.22(d)(1) 394 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
When must a damaged walking surface be fixed?
Before an employee uses the walking-working surface again.
What if it cannot be fixed immediately?
The hazard must be guarded to prevent employees from using the surface until it is corrected or repaired.
What kinds of surfaces does this cover?
Walking-working surfaces with hazardous conditions.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.22 (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.