1910.29(b)(2)(i): Midrail Height
Midrails must be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface.
Key takeaways
- 1910.29(b)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 116 times in the last 3 years, in 116 inspections, with $181,498 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (13), TN (12), NJ (8).
- Related part: 1910.29(b) Guardrail systems (624 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.29(b)(2)(i) 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
(i) Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface; 116 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.29.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 37 |
| 2025 | 41 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: IL (13), TN (12), NJ (8), OR (8), MD (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JOHNSONVILLE, LLC | SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI | $11,585 |
| SEA BOX INC. | CINNAMINSON, NJ | $10,600 |
| A&A BROCHU, LLC. | ENFIELD, ME | $10,163 |
| RV WORLD LLC | HAMBURG, PA | $9,457 |
| TRUE COOPERATIVE GIN CO | BISHOP, TX | $8,110 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.29(b)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.29(b)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.29(b) Guardrail systems 624 citations
- 1910.29(b)(2) 272 citations
- 1910.29(b)(1) 204 citations
- 1910.29(b)(13) 50 citations
- 1910.29(b)(3) 49 citations
- 1910.29(b)(13)(i) 32 citations
- 1910.29(b)(10) 19 citations
- 1910.29(b)(5) 12 citations
- 1910.29(b)(6) 10 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Where must a midrail be installed?
Midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface.
Does this rule give an exact inch measurement?
No. It sets the midrail at the midway point.
What is a midrail for?
It is part of the guardrail system between the top rail and the surface.
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 2026-10-20
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.