1926.501(b)(7): Excavation Edges
Workers at the edge of an excavation 6 feet or deeper must be protected by guardrails, fences or barricades when the excavation is hard to see, and at wells, pits and shafts by guardrails, fences, barricades or covers.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(7)
(7) Excavations.
25 citations(i) Each employee at the edge of an excavation 6 feet (1.8 m) or more in depth shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, fences, or barricades when the excavations are not readily seen because of plant growth or other visual barrier;
Open (b)(7)(i) 4 citations(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.
Open (b)(7)(ii) 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), 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 | 12 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: MI (5), NV (4), MA (3), AZ (2), OH (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PUMPCO, INC. | CHANDLER, TX | $16,550 |
| 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 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Use of personal fall arrest systems at the edge of a well, pit, shaft, or similar excavation. (2004-03-10)
- Clarification concerning fall protection and vertical walled trenches with depth of 6 feet or greater and use of controlled access zones. (2002-06-24)
- The requirements for fall protection around residential basement foundation excavations deeper than six feet. (1996-01-24)
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.