29 CFR 1926 · Construction · Subpart M

1926.501(b)(6): Ramps, Runways and Walkways

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of octubre 15, 2026 Data updated noviembre 7, 2026 3 min read

At 6 feet or more above a lower level, use a guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest system
The 6-foot rule and the three fall protection systems. Not to scale; the official text controls.
In plain words:

Workers on ramps, runways and other walkways must be protected from falls of 6 feet or more by guardrail systems.

Key takeaways

  • 1926.501(b)(6) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
  • OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $366,838 in current penalties.
  • Most citations: TN (5), SD (3), NY (1).
  • Related part: 1926.501(b) (23,401 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.

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14citations, 3 years
$366,838current penalties
13inspections
0linked injury cases
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Where and how often it was cited
  4. Free toolbox talk
  5. OSHA interpretation letters
  6. Related parts of this rule
  7. Get your crew competent
  8. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(6) ("Ramps, runways, and other walkways") 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

(6) Ramps, runways, and other walkways. Each employee on ramps, runways, and other walkways shall be protected from falling 6 feet (1.8 m) or more to lower levels by guardrail systems. 14 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.

See every company cited for this rule.

Export the list: 13 inspections cited 1926.501(b)(6) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.

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Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
20232
20246
20251
20265

Top states: TN (5), SD (3), NY (1), MD (1), AS (1)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INCMENNO, SD$331,028
CPX2026XJW184X0206 - B & F CONTRACTING, INC.PHOENIX, AZ$9,458
NANA'S CONSTRUCTION, INC.PAGO PAGO, AS$6,222
J NUGRA CONSTRUCTION INC.MILFORD, MA$5,107
ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR CONCRETE INC.MONROE, NY$4,688

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OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.501(b)(6).

Related parts of this rule

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About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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