1910.28(b)(3): Protection From Holes
Employers must protect workers from falling through any hole, including skylights, that is 4 feet or more above a lower level, using covers, guardrails, travel restraint or personal fall arrest systems. Holes under 4 feet need covers or guardrails, and stairway, ladderway, hatchway and chute-floor holes need specific guardrail, toeboard, gate or cover setups.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 667 times in the last 3 years, in 639 inspections, with $2,633,255 in current penalties.
- 15 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (58), NV (56), VA (52).
- Related part: 1910.28(b) Protection from fall hazards (3,551 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3) ("Holes") 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 12 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
(3) Holes. The employer must ensure: 667 citations
(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: Open (b)(3)(i) 238 citations
(A) Covers; 8 citations
(B) Guardrail systems;
(C) Travel restraint systems; or
(D) Personal fall arrest systems. 1 citations
(ii) Each employee is protected from tripping into or stepping into or through any hole that is less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above a lower level by covers or guardrail systems. Open (b)(3)(ii) 288 citations
(iii) Each employee is protected from falling into a stairway floor hole by a fixed guardrail system on all exposed sides, except at the stairway entrance. However, for any stairway used less than once per day where traffic across the stairway floor hole prevents the use of a fixed guardrail system (e.g., holes located in aisle spaces), the employer may protect employees from falling into the hole by using a hinged floor hole cover that meets the criteria in § 1910.29 and a removable guardrail system on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the stairway. Open (b)(3)(iii) 10 citations
(iv) Each employee is protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system and toeboards erected on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole, where a self-closing gate or an offset must be used. Open (b)(3)(iv) 108 citations
(v) Each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute-floor hole by: Open (b)(3)(v) 23 citations
(A) A hinged floor-hole cover that meets the criteria in § 1910.29 and a fixed guardrail system that leaves only one exposed side. When the hole is not in use, the employer must ensure the cover is closed or a removable guardrail system is provided on the exposed sides; 4 citations
(B) A removable guardrail system and toeboards on not more than two sides of the hole and a fixed guardrail system on all other exposed sides. The employer must ensure the removable guardrail system is kept in place when the hole is not in use; or
(C) A guardrail system or a travel restraint system when a work operation necessitates passing material through a hatchway or chute floor hole. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Injuries linked to this rule
15 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.28(b)(3).
At 8:34 a.m. on February 20, 2025, Employee #1 and coworkers were closing a steel door mounted on a railing system with track wheels. While manually adjusting the door, one of the track wheels came off the rail, causing the door to jackknife. Three employees…
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 | 34 |
| 2024 | 239 |
| 2025 | 242 |
| 2026 | 152 |
Top states: MI (58), NV (56), VA (52), TN (41), NY (34)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC | FLORENCE, WI | $137,508 |
| 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 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(3), 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).
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)(11) Stairways 407 citations
- 1910.28(b)(11)(ii) 351 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(ii) 288 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(i) 238 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
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Frequently asked questions
When must a hole be protected?
When it is 4 feet or more above a lower level, protection from falling through is required. Holes less than 4 feet need protection from tripping or stepping into them.
Are skylights considered holes?
Yes. The rule includes skylights.
How is a ladderway floor hole protected?
With a guardrail system and toeboards on all exposed sides, and a self-closing gate or offset at the entrance.
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.