1910.28(a): Fall Protection Scope in General Industry
Employers must protect each employee exposed to fall and falling object hazards, using protection that meets 1910.29, and personal fall protection systems that meet 1910.140. The section does not apply to portable ladders, pre-work and post-work inspections when no 1910.29 systems are installed, entertainment stage and rail platform edges, or listed powered platform, aerial lift, telecom and power line work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(a) 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)(1) (22 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.28(a) ("General") is one requirement inside 1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). It includes 9 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
(a) General. 22 citations
(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. Open (a)(1) 22 citations
(2) This section does not apply: Open (a)(2)
(i) To portable ladders;
(ii) When employers are inspecting, investigating, or assessing workplace conditions or work to be performed prior to the start of work or after all work has been completed. This exemption does not apply when fall protection systems or equipment meeting the requirements of § 1910.29 have been installed and are available for workers to use for pre-work and post-work inspections, investigations, or assessments; Open (a)(2)(ii)
(iii) To fall hazards presented by the exposed perimeters of entertainment stages and the exposed perimeters of rail-station platforms;
(iv) To powered platforms covered by § 1910.66(j);
(v) To aerial lifts covered by § 1910.67(c)(2)(v);
(vi) To telecommunications work covered by § 1910.268(n)(7) and (8); and
(vii) To electric power generation, transmission, and distribution work covered by § 1910.269(g)(2)(i).
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), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- NATE Response FINAL (2017-08-18)
- Determining scaffold support capability. (2008-10-02)
- Attachment requirements for window washing equipment. (1986-12-09)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.28(a)(1) 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
What standards must fall protection meet?
Fall and falling object protection must meet 1910.29, and personal fall protection systems must meet 1910.140, unless stated otherwise.
Does this section cover portable ladders?
No. The section does not apply to portable ladders.
Is inspection work before or after a job exempt?
Yes, unless fall protection systems meeting 1910.29 are installed and available for workers to use.
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.
