1926.501(b)(9): Overhand Bricklaying
Workers doing overhand bricklaying 6 feet or more up need guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest, or must work in a controlled access zone. Anyone reaching more than 10 inches below the working surface needs a guardrail, net or personal fall arrest system.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(9)
(9) Overhand bricklaying and related work.
8 citations(i) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each employee performing overhand bricklaying and related work 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels, shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or shall work in a controlled access zone.
7 citations(ii) Each employee reaching more than 10 inches (25 cm) below the level of the walking/working surface on which they are working, shall be protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system.
Bricklaying operations performed on scaffolds are regulated by subpart L—Scaffolds of this part.
1 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)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
Where and how often it was cited
OSHA interpretation letters
- Fall protection and controlled access zones for overhand bricklaying (2004-03-10)
- Compliance of using warning lines and/or control access zones for fall protection on roofs with a slope greater than 4:12. (2003-09-26)
- Clarification concerning fall protection and vertical walled trenches with depth of 6 feet or greater and use of controlled access zones. (2002-06-24)
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
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.