1910.28(b)(5)(i): Guardrails on Runways
Employers must protect each employee on a runway or similar walkway from falling 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level with a guardrail system.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(5)(i) 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 $225,093 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IN (3), OR (2), TX (2).
- 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)(5)(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). 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) The employer must ensure each employee on a runway or similar walkway is protected from falling 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level by a guardrail system. 22 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.28(b)(5)(i).
At 8:00 a.m. on February 28, 2025, Employee #1 was inspecting the caulking on the roof of an RV. The employee used the RV's built-in ladder to access the roof. While walking toward the front of the RV, the employee fell approximately 13 feet to…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: IN (3), OR (2), TX (2), FL (2), CT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RV WORLD, LLC | WICHITA, KS | $165,514 |
| FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $11,585 |
| U.S. PAPER MILLS CORP. | MENASHA, WI | $9,930 |
| PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING COMPANY, LLC | VAN HORN, TX | $6,000 |
| BRAVO TRAILERS LLC | BRISTOL, IN | $5,600 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(5)(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)(5)(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)(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
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When is a guardrail needed on a runway?
When an employee could fall 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level.
What protection does the rule require?
A guardrail system.
Does it cover other walkways?
Yes, runways and similar walkways are covered.
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.