1910.29(e): Covers for Holes in Walking-Working Surfaces
Employers must make sure each cover over a hole in a walking-working surface can support at least twice the maximum intended load that could be placed on it at any one time, without failure, and is secured to prevent accidental displacement.
Key takeaways
- 1910.29(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $73,358 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (6), MD (5), PA (3).
- Related part: 1910.29(e)(2) (15 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.29(e) ("Covers") 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). It includes 2 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
(e) Covers. The employer must ensure each cover for a hole in a walking-working surface: 29 citations
(1) Is capable of supporting without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time; and 6 citations
(2) Is secured to prevent accidental displacement. Open (e)(2) 15 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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: NY (6), MD (5), PA (3), VA (2), CT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| INDORAMA VENTURES SUSTAINABLE RECYCLING, LLC | DALLAS, TX | $16,550 |
| MUSTANG EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LLC | MARIANNA, PA | $11,754 |
| JENKINTOWN BUILDING SERVICES, INC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,938 |
| BERRY GLOBAL INC. | SLOAN, NV | $7,590 |
| PEPSICO BEVERAGE SALES, LLC | OMAHA, NE | $6,083 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.29(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.29(e).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.29(e)(2) 15 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How strong must a hole cover be?
It must support, without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on it at any one time.
Do hole covers need to be secured?
Yes. Each cover must be secured to prevent accidental displacement.
Which industry does 1910.29(e) cover?
General industry walking-working surfaces.
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 2026-10-21
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.