1926.502(b)(2): Midrails and Intermediate Members
Unless a wall or parapet at least 21 inches high is present, guardrails need midrails, screens, mesh or other intermediate members. Midrails go halfway up, and balusters or other openings can be no more than 19 inches apart.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(2)
(2) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members shall be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches (53 cm) high.
124 citations(i) Midrails, when used, shall be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level.
Open (b)(2)(i) 24 citations(ii) Screens and mesh, when used, shall extend from the top rail to the walking/working level and along the entire opening between top rail supports.
(iii) Intermediate members (such as balusters), when used between posts, shall be not more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart.
8 citations(iv) Other structural members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) shall be installed such that there are no openings in the guardrail system that are more than 19 inches (.5 m) wide.
2 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)(2), including 2 deaths.
At 4:30 p.m. on April 9, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a construction company, was leaning against a guardrail on the 3rd level balcony of an apartment building. The guardrail failed, and the employee fell to the ground. The employee sustained internal injuries, including fractured…
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 | 42 |
| 2025 | 40 |
| 2026 | 36 |
Top states: MI (15), TN (13), OR (13), MD (10), KY (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MILCON CONTRACTING OF CAPE COD INC. | PINE ISLAND, NY | $11,585 |
| PULTE HOMES OF NJ | UNION, NJ | $11,250 |
| URX2025XJW184X0145 - STEHL CORPORATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,372 |
| WOODLAND FRAMING, INC. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $8,243 |
| BUDROVICH CONTRACTING CO. | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $7,813 |
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems 362 citations
- 1926.502(b)(1) 112 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.