1910.28(b)(5): Guardrails on Runways and Walkways
Employers must protect each employee on a runway or similar walkway from falling 4 feet or more to a lower level with a guardrail system. If guardrails on both sides are not feasible for a special-purpose runway, one side may be omitted if the runway is at least 18 inches wide and each employee uses a personal fall arrest or travel restraint system.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 25 times in the last 3 years, in 25 inspections, with $235,593 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IN (3), OR (2), PA (2).
- 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)(5) ("Runways and similar walkways") 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
(5) Runways and similar walkways. 25 citations
(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. Open (b)(5)(i) 22 citations
(ii) When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to have guardrails on both sides of a runway used exclusively for a special purpose, the employer may omit the guardrail on one side of the runway, provided the employer ensures: 1 citations
(A) The runway is at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide; and 1 citations
(B) Each employee is provided with and uses a personal fall arrest system or travel restraint system.
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).
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 | 13 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: IN (3), OR (2), PA (2), TX (2), FL (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 |
| STANDARD STEEL, LLC | BURNHAM, PA | $9,000 |
| PATTERSON-UTI DRILLING COMPANY, LLC | VAN HORN, TX | $6,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(5), 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).
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
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Frequently asked questions
When does a runway need guardrails?
When employees could fall 4 feet (1.2 m) or more to a lower level.
Can a guardrail be left off one side?
Only for a runway used exclusively for a special purpose when guardrails on both sides are shown not feasible.
What is required when one side is omitted?
The runway must be at least 18 inches wide and each employee must use a personal fall arrest or travel restraint system.
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.