1910.22(d): Inspecting and Repairing Walking-Working Surfaces
Employers must inspect walking and working surfaces regularly and as needed, and keep them in safe condition. Hazards must be fixed before anyone uses the surface again, or guarded off until repaired, and any repair affecting structural integrity must be done or supervised by a qualified person.
Key takeaways
- 1910.22(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 590 times in the last 3 years, in 571 inspections, with $1,608,532 in current penalties.
- 13 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (62), NY (43), MI (38).
- Related part: 1910.22(d)(1) (394 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.22(d) ("Inspection, maintenance, and repair") is one requirement inside 1910.22 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). It includes 3 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
(d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair. The employer must ensure: 590 citations
(1) Walking-working surfaces are inspected, regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition; Open (d)(1) 394 citations
(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 Open (d)(2) 184 citations
(3) When any correction or repair involves the structural integrity of the walking-working surface, a qualified person performs or supervises the correction or repair. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.22.
Injuries linked to this rule
13 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.22(d).
At 12:30 p.m. on December 26, 2024, an employee was walking between a steel beamand a conveyor when he became caught and was crushed between the two. The employee died 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 | 38 |
| 2024 | 211 |
| 2025 | 215 |
| 2026 | 126 |
Top states: PR (62), NY (43), MI (38), MA (36), OH (27)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. POSTAL SERVICE | RUTHERFORD, NJ | $49,000 |
| 156729 - SJM MARKETPLACE VENTURES LLC | LENOIR, NC | $46,875 |
| DE | TOA BAJA, PR | $40,000 |
| 68812 - KROGER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP I | LEXINGTON, KY | $39,200 |
| 68274 - CSX INTERMODAL TERMINALS INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $35,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.22(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Policy on posting of floor load capacity signs. (2008-03-27)
- Definition of a "floor," "building official," and "plates of approved design." (1996-04-03)
- De minimis provision for Floor Loading Protection (1977-09-27)
- Lessor and lessee responsibities for posting floor load limits. (1974-03-20)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.22(d)(1) 394 citations
- 1910.22(d)(2) 184 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How often must walking-working surfaces be inspected?
Regularly and as necessary.
What if a hazard cannot be fixed right away?
It must be guarded to prevent employees from using the surface until it is corrected or repaired.
Who can repair structural problems?
A qualified person must perform or supervise any correction or repair involving structural integrity.
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.