1926.501(b)(1): Unprotected Sides and Edges
Any worker on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level must be protected by a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system.
Key takeaways
- 1926.501(b)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 2,850 times in the last 3 years, in 2,841 inspections, with $13,842,877 in current penalties.
- 22 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (219), VA (172), MI (168).
- Related part: 1926.501(b) (23,401 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1) ("Unprotected sides and edges") 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
(1) Unprotected sides and edges. Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems. 2,850 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
Export the list: 2,841 inspections cited 1926.501(b)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
22 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(1).
An employee was carrying metal panel siding to a balcony for installation. The employee lost his step and fell approximately 10 feet to the next balcony, resulting in fatal head injuries.
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 | 161 |
| 2024 | 1,094 |
| 2025 | 955 |
| 2026 | 640 |
Top states: TX (219), VA (172), MI (168), MD (161), NY (146)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $331,028 |
| LEVEL EDGE CONSTRUCTION, LLC | FOLCROFT, PA | $263,638 |
| RF CONSTRUCTION | BLUE SPRINGS, MO | $159,696 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | ROANOKE, VA | $153,742 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $153,742 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.501(b)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,401 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,404 citations
- 1926.501(b)(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs 1,828 citations
- 1926.501(b)(11) Steep roofs 1,551 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4) Holes 1,110 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) 666 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(i) 418 citations
- 1926.501(b)(14) Wall openings 271 citations
- 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed 151 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2) Leading edges 117 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2)(i) 80 citations
- 1926.501(b)(3) Hoist areas 43 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.