1910.28(a)(1): Duty to Protect From Falls and Falling Objects
Employers must protect each employee exposed to fall and falling object hazards. Unless stated otherwise, the protection must meet the criteria in 1910.29, and personal fall protection systems must meet 1910.140.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 22 times in the last 3 years, in 22 inspections, with $182,554 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (3), IN (3), NM (2).
- Related part: 1910.28(a) General (22 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.28(a)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection, 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
(1) This section requires employers to provide protection for each employee exposed to fall and falling object hazards. Unless stated otherwise, the employer must ensure that all fall protection and falling object protection required by this section meet the criteria in § 1910.29, except that personal fall protection systems required by this section meet the criteria of § 1910.140. 22 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: MA (3), IN (3), NM (2), PR (2), FL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, INC. | HARRINGTON, DE | $76,054 |
| RFX2025XT3633X0042 - T N R & S ACQUISITION, LLC | TUCSON, AZ | $11,524 |
| 157865 - CAROLINA HOSIERY MILL, INC | GLEN RAVEN, NC | $11,291 |
| VILLAGE OF CHAMA | CHAMA, NM | $9,562 |
| YUNEXPRESS USA INC | FRANKLIN PARK, IL | $9,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(a)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.28(a) General 22 citations
- 1910.28(a)(2)(ii)
- 1910.28(a)(2)
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
Who must be protected?
Each employee exposed to fall and falling object hazards.
What criteria apply to the protection?
1910.29, unless stated otherwise.
What criteria apply to personal fall protection systems?
1910.140.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.28 (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 2026-10-24
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.