1926.501(b)(4): Holes and Skylights
Workers must be protected from falling through holes and skylights more than 6 feet above lower levels with covers, guardrails or personal fall arrest, and holes must be covered to stop workers tripping into them and objects falling through them.
Key takeaways
- 1926.501(b)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 1,110 times in the last 3 years, in 1,076 inspections, with $2,911,799 in current penalties.
- 25 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (286), VA (122), MD (84).
- Related part: 1926.501(b) (23,401 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1926.501(b)(4) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4) ("Holes") is one requirement inside 1926.501 Duty to have fall protection, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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
(4) Holes. 1,110 citations
(i) Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes. Open (b)(4)(i) 418 citations
(ii) Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers. Open (b)(4)(ii) 666 citations
(iii) Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from objects falling through holes (including skylights) by covers. Open (b)(4)(iii) 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
Export the list: 1,076 inspections cited 1926.501(b)(4) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
25 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(4).
At 10:00 a.m. on February 13, 2025, Employee #1 was pressure washing a roof whenhe fell through a skylight, sustaining fatal 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 | 66 |
| 2024 | 353 |
| 2025 | 393 |
| 2026 | 298 |
Top states: MI (286), VA (122), MD (84), NY (67), TX (47)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FARGO GLASS & PAINT COMPANY | BISMARCK, ND | $119,170 |
| PRO-TECH ROOFING, INC. | DEERFIELD, IL | $46,568 |
| J & R BUILDING AND REPAIRS, INC. | DES PLAINES, IL | $35,491 |
| JAMES R VANNOY & SONS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $34,025 |
| DA ROOFING, INC. | TEN SLEEP, WY | $31,252 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.501(b)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.501(b)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,401 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,404 citations
- 1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 2,850 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)(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
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
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.