1926.451(g)(1)(vii): Fall Protection on Other Scaffolds
Employers must protect each worker on any scaffold not covered by the specific rules in (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(vi) with a personal fall arrest system or a guardrail system that meets paragraph (g)(4). This applies to workers on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 671 times in the last 3 years, in 669 inspections, with $2,503,285 in current penalties.
- 12 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (113), GA (89), NY (67).
- Related part: 1926.451(g) Fall protection (2,806 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) is one requirement inside 1926.451 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). 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
(vii) For all scaffolds not otherwise specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(vi) of this section, each employee shall be protected by the use of personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems meeting the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this section. 671 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Injuries linked to this rule
12 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.451(g)(1)(vii).
At 2:30 p.m. on January 12, 2025, Employee #1 was working for a roofing contractor and was performing siding and soffit work from a pump jack scaffold. Employee #1 was fatally injured when he fell from the scaffold.
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 | 50 |
| 2024 | 223 |
| 2025 | 247 |
| 2026 | 151 |
Top states: MD (113), GA (89), NY (67), PA (61), TX (53)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SEMINOLE EQUIPMENT, INC. | RICHMOND HILL, GA | $496,542 |
| GTO CONSTRUCTION, INC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $51,563 |
| JAMSCAR CONSTRUCTION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $29,790 |
| STATE CONSTRUCTION INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $27,308 |
| COAM EXTERIOR, INC. | MILLSBORO, DE | $23,832 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(g)(1)(vii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Minimum distance required between guardrails on an industrial truck work platform. (2010-04-12)
- Fall protection requirements for workers constructing a water tower while on a scaffold. (2005-04-05)
- Clarification of 1926.451(a)(6) requirements for scaffolds and bridge-painting projects. (2002-08-06)
- Fall protection for various lift-devices; restraint, positioning, fall arrest and rescue requirements; maintenance vs. construction examples. (2000-08-14)
- Fall protection, training, inspection and design requirements of aerial lifts and scissor lifts/scaffolds. (2000-02-23)
- Aerial lift regulations; fall protection for scissor lifts. (1998-07-21)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(g) Fall protection 2,806 citations
- 1926.451(g)(1) 2,210 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4) 516 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(i) 392 citations
- 1926.451(g)(1)(i) 149 citations
- 1926.451(g)(1)(vi) 65 citations
- 1926.451(g)(2) 46 citations
- 1926.451(g)(3) 33 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(iv) 32 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(iii) 21 citations
- 1926.451(g)(3)(i) 20 citations
- 1926.451(g)(4)(xv) 16 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What fall protection is required on these scaffolds?
Personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems meeting paragraph (g)(4).
At what height does scaffold fall protection apply?
More than 10 feet above a lower level, under 1926.451(g)(1).
Which scaffolds does this cover?
All scaffolds not otherwise specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(vi).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.451 (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.