1926.502(b)(1): Guardrail Top Rail Height
The top rail of a guardrail must be 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking/working level. It may be higher if the system meets all other criteria, and it must be raised by the height of any stilts in use.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)
(1) Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, shall be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of this paragraph.
When employees are using stilts, the top edge height of the top rail, or equivalent member, shall be increased an amount equal to the height of the stilts.
112 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
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Injuries linked to this rule
2 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(b)(1), including 2 deaths.
At 2:54 p.m. on November 7, 2024, a supervisor and two employees were removing apipe valve and actuator from the third-story platform of a heat recovery steam generator with the assistance of a crane contractor. As the crane lifted the load, the signal person gave…
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 | 6 |
| 2024 | 39 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: PA (13), UT (12), TN (11), OR (10), MI (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| OS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC. | HENDERSON, NV | $13,406 |
| FCX2025XJW184X0127 - BAY VALVE, LLC | ARLINGTON, AZ | $11,524 |
| COLT BUILDERS CORPORATION | WOBURN, MA | $11,292 |
| WOODLAND FRAMING, INC. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $9,697 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Guardrail height requirements for construction activities in General Industry Facilities. (2006-04-17)
- Evaluation of Fiber-Lam "Super Brace" compliance with construction fall protection requirements for guarding structural openings. (2003-11-03)
- Guardrail height when used as fall protection for work surfaces with two elevations. (1999-02-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems 362 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2) 124 citations
- 1926.502(b)(3) 58 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2)(i) 24 citations
- 1926.502(b)(13) 18 citations
- 1926.502(b)(9) 14 citations
- 1926.502(b)(6) 12 citations
- 1926.502(b)(4) 6 citations
- 1926.502(b)(10) 3 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.