1910.29(a)(2): Install Fall Protection Before Work Begins
Employers must provide and install all fall protection systems and falling object protection required by Subpart D, and comply with the other requirements in the subpart, before any employee begins work that needs fall or falling object protection.
Key takeaways
- 1910.29(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $53,998 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (2), NJ (2), AZ (2).
- Related part: 1910.29(a) General requirements (20 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.29(a)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.29 Fall protection systems and falling object protection—criteria and practices, 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
(2) Provide and install all fall protection systems and falling object protection this subpart requires, and comply with the other requirements in this subpart before any employee begins work that necessitates fall or falling object protection. 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.29.
Export the list: 15 inspections cited 1910.29(a)(2) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: PR (2), NJ (2), AZ (2), TX (1), FL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FCX2025XTN246X0019 - EVENT RENTS PHOENIX, LLC | PHOENIX, AZ | $16,550 |
| HACKETTSTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | HACKETTSTOWN, NJ | $7,000 |
| JOINT MEETING OF ESSEX & UNION COUNTIES | ELIZABETH, NJ | $7,000 |
| PASATO ROOFING LLC | YONKERS, NY | $4,839 |
| JD CONTRACTING, LLC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $4,839 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.29(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.29(a)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.29(a) General requirements 20 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must fall protection be installed?
Before any employee begins work that necessitates fall or falling object protection.
Does this include falling object protection?
Yes. It covers all fall protection systems and falling object protection the subpart requires.
Who must provide it?
The employer.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.29 (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 2026-11-06
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.