1926.501(a)(2): Check Surfaces Can Hold Workers
The employer must determine whether walking/working surfaces have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely, and may let employees work on them only when they do.
Key takeaways
- 1926.501(a)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 108 times in the last 3 years, in 107 inspections, with $870,338 in current penalties.
- 10 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MA (12), FL (11), OH (10).
- Related part: 1926.501(a) General (114 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.501(a)(2) is one requirement inside 1926.501 Duty to have fall protection, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). 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) The employer shall determine if the walking/working surfaces on which its employees are to work have the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely. Employees shall be allowed to work on those surfaces only when the surfaces have the requisite strength and structural integrity. 108 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
Export the list: 107 inspections cited 1926.501(a)(2) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
10 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(a)(2).
At 12:00 p.m. on January 28, 2025, four employees were framing a residential building when the structure unexpectedly collapsed. Employee #1 was fatally injured, while Employee #2, Employee #3 and Employee #4 sustained minor injuriesand were treated without hospitalization.
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 | 10 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 33 |
Top states: MA (12), FL (11), OH (10), NY (7), TX (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| REVOLI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC | SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA | $182,064 |
| 69070 - BONE DRY ROOFING INC | WILLIAMSTOWN, KY | $70,000 |
| H&H EXTERIORS INC. | PITTSFIELD, NH | $33,103 |
| 108182 - ANCELMO CONSTRUCTION LLC | ROSE CREEK, MN | $25,000 |
| 108181 - RENNER ROOFING INC | ROSE CREEK, MN | $25,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.501(a)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(a) General 114 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.501 (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 2026-11-07
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.