1926.501(b)(14): Wall Openings
Workers at wall openings where the outside bottom edge is 6 feet or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge is less than 39 inches above the floor must be protected by a guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest system.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(14)
(14) Wall openings. Each employee working on, at, above, or near wall openings (including those with chutes attached) where the outside bottom edge of the wall opening is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels and the inside bottom edge of the wall opening is less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working surface, shall be protected from falling by the use of a guardrail system, a safety net system, or a personal fall arrest system.
271 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
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Injuries linked to this rule
2 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(14), including 2 deaths.
At 12:34 p.m. on July 30, 2024, an employee working for an industrial building contractor was working in a warehouse. The employee died when he fell due to unspecified reasons approximately two floors.
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 | 20 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 92 |
| 2026 | 65 |
Top states: MI (37), VA (32), TN (22), MN (18), MD (15)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $153,740 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $142,691 |
| 110785 - LUMBER ONE AVON INC | HUTCHINSON, MN | $33,000 |
| JAMES R VANNOY & SONS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | FLOYD, VA | $21,465 |
| FOUNDATION BUILDING MATERIALS, LLC | NEW BRITAIN, CT | $16,550 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Scaffolding/shoring (2005-04-11)
- Fall protection requirements for stairwells and mechanical chase openings surrounded by interior stud walls in residential construction (2003-12-22)
- Evaluation of Fiber-Lam "Super Brace" compliance with construction fall protection requirements for guarding structural openings. (2003-11-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,489 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,470 citations
- 1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 2,860 citations
- 1926.501(b)(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs 1,827 citations
- 1926.501(b)(11) Steep roofs 1,554 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4) Holes 1,119 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) 670 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(i) 423 citations
- 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed 148 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2) Leading edges 117 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2)(i) 80 citations
- 1926.501(b)(3) Hoist areas 47 citations
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About this page
Official text from the eCFR. Citation and injury numbers from public U.S. Department of Labor enforcement and accident records, copied nightly; 3-year window; data as of 2026-10-18. 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.