1910.28(b)(3)(i): Protection from Falling Through Holes
Employers must protect each employee from falling through any hole, including skylights, that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level. Protection must be one or more of covers, guardrail systems, travel restraint systems or personal fall arrest systems.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 238 times in the last 3 years, in 238 inspections, with $1,368,501 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (20), MI (17), OR (16).
- Related part: 1910.28(b) Protection from fall hazards (3,551 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(i) 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 4 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
(i) Each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: 238 citations
(A) Covers; 8 citations
(B) Guardrail systems;
(C) Travel restraint systems; or
(D) Personal fall arrest systems. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Injuries linked to this rule
8 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.28(b)(3)(i).
At 11:40 a.m. on November 27, 2024, an employee working as a welder for a welding contractor was removing a pressure washer from a roof. The employee fellthrough a skylight 22 feet 8 inches to the concrete below. The employee died from head trauma.
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 | 10 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 63 |
Top states: VA (20), MI (17), OR (16), TX (16), NV (13)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RICE BELT WAREHOUSE, INC. | GANADO, TX | $132,411 |
| BRADY LINEN SERVICES, LLC | NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV | $95,073 |
| CF&I STEEL, L.P. | PUEBLO, CO | $91,025 |
| 157838 - LSC ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS, LLC | LENOIR, NC | $80,661 |
| CHALLENGE MANUFACTURING COMPANY DBA BLACK RIVER STAMPING | HOLLAND, MI | $30,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(b)(3)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.28(b) Protection from fall hazards 3,551 citations
- 1910.28(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 1,938 citations
- 1910.28(b)(1)(i) 1,933 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3) Holes 667 citations
- 1910.28(b)(11) Stairways 407 citations
- 1910.28(b)(11)(ii) 351 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(ii) 288 citations
- 1910.28(b)(13) Work on low-slope roofs 132 citations
- 1910.28(b)(6) Dangerous equipment 123 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(iv) 108 citations
- 1910.28(b)(6)(i) 106 citations
- 1910.28(b)(15) Walking-working surfaces not otherwise addressed 68 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
At what height do holes need fall protection?
When the hole is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level.
Do skylights count as holes?
Yes. The rule includes skylights.
What protection can be used for holes?
Covers, guardrail systems, travel restraint systems or personal fall arrest systems.
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 2026-10-20
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.