1926.501(b)(7)(ii): Wells, Pits and Shafts
Workers at the edge of a well, pit, shaft or similar excavation 6 feet or deeper must be protected by guardrails, fences, barricades or covers.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(7)(ii)
(ii) Each employee at the edge of a well, pit, shaft, and similar excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, barricades, or covers.
21 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
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Injuries linked to this rule
1 injury case in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(7)(ii), including 1 death.
At 6:50 p.m. an employee working as a construction laborer for a highway construction contractor went missing from his job and was found in a water pit. The employee died due to drowning after falling into the pit.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: MI (5), NV (4), MA (3), AZ (2), OH (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BRACKNEY, INC. | CLEVES, OH | $11,585 |
| J&R SAND COMPANY, INC. | MEADE, KS | $11,292 |
| NATIONAL GRID USA | SUTTON, MA | $10,000 |
| LUNDA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | FREDERIC, WI | $7,052 |
| STALWORTH UNDERGROUND LLC | OAK PARK, IL | $6,620 |
OSHA interpretation letters
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
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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.