1910.28(b)(7): Fall Protection at Wall Openings
Employers must protect each worker near an opening, including one with a chute attached, from falling when the inside bottom edge is less than 39 inches above the walking-working surface and the outside bottom edge is 4 feet or more above a lower level. Protection must be guardrails, safety nets, travel restraint or personal fall arrest systems.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $178,863 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (4), PA (4), NY (3).
- 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)(7) ("Openings") 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
(7) Openings. The employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface near an opening, including one with a chute attached, where the inside bottom edge of the opening is less than 39 inches (99 cm) above that walking-working surface and the outside bottom edge of the opening is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by the use of: 34 citations
(i) Guardrail systems; 1 citations
(ii) Safety net systems;
(iii) Travel restraint systems; or,
(iv) Personal fall arrest systems.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.28(b)(7).
At 3:00 p.m. on May 31, 2024, Employee #1 was working on an elevated platform approximately 20 feet in the air, assisting with pushing cardboard boxes into a chute leading to a box compactor. While in position, the employee fell into the chute and struck…
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: WI (4), PA (4), NY (3), MA (2), NH (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $13,415 |
| E&H HARDWARE GROUP, LLC | WOOSTER, OH | $13,240 |
| ANDY'S EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE INC. | ERIE, PA | $12,000 |
| CLEAN EARTH, LLC | LOUDON, NH | $11,292 |
| GFL SOLID WASTE MIDWEST LLC | MAYVILLE, WI | $10,552 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(b)(7).
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 wall opening need fall protection?
When the inside bottom edge is less than 39 inches above the walking-working surface and the outside bottom edge is 4 feet or more above a lower level.
What types of protection are allowed?
Guardrail systems, safety net systems, travel restraint systems or personal fall arrest systems.
Does this include openings with chutes?
Yes. It includes an opening with a chute attached.
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.