1926.502(b)(13): Guardrails Around Access Holes
Guardrails around holes used for access, such as ladderways, need a gate or an offset so no one can walk straight into the hole.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(b)(13) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $49,624 in current penalties.
- Most citations: AZ (5), ID (4), VA (3).
- Related part: 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems (360 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(b)(13) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, 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
(13) When guardrail systems are used around holes which are used as points of access (such as ladderways), they shall be provided with a gate, or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole. 18 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 18 inspections cited 1926.502(b)(13) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: AZ (5), ID (4), VA (3), OR (2), MI (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PPX2025XVM508X0072 - THE OSCAR W. LARSON COMPANY DBA OWL SERVICES USA | GLENDALE, AZ | $11,823 |
| MCALVAIN CONCRETE, INC. | BOISE, ID | $4,940 |
| TRI-STATE ELECTRIC, INC. | DONNELLY, ID | $3,840 |
| CPX2025XJW184X0167 - MCKENNA CONSTRUCTION INC. | SURPRISE, AZ | $3,547 |
| YMC, INC. | DONNELLY, ID | $3,526 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(b)(13), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(b)(13).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems 360 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2) 123 citations
- 1926.502(b)(1) 109 citations
- 1926.502(b)(3) 59 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2)(i) 23 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
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.502 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-07
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.