1926.501(b)(3): Hoist Areas
Workers in hoist areas must be protected from falls of 6 feet or more by guardrails or personal fall arrest. If guardrails are removed for hoisting and a worker must lean through or over the edge, that worker needs a personal fall arrest system.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(3)
(3) Hoist areas. Each employee in a hoist area shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by guardrail systems or personal fall arrest systems. If guardrail systems, [or chain, gate, or guardrail] or portions thereof, are removed to facilitate the hoisting operation (e.g., during landing of materials), and an employee must lean through the access opening or out over the edge of the access opening (to receive or guide equipment and materials, for example), that employee shall be protected from fall hazards by a personal fall arrest system.
47 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
Free toolbox talk for this rule
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.501(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: IL (12), MO (8), MN (5), PA (4), VA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| L&W SUPPLY CORPORATION | NEWARK, DE | $99,300 |
| LUIS ALBERTO-REYNA AVILA, AKA LUIS REYNA AVILA | SCRANTON, PA | $16,550 |
| 108159 - NORHART CONSTRUCTION LLC | SAINT PAUL, MN | $16,500 |
| NEW ZYLAND CORP | WEST CALDWELL, NJ | $10,646 |
| HOUCK SERVICES, INC. | HARRISBURG, PA | $10,046 |
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.501(b)(3).
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)(14) Wall openings 271 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
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
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.