1926.502(d)(21): Inspect Before Each Use
Personal fall arrest systems must be inspected before each use for wear, damage and deterioration, and defective parts must be removed from service.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(d)(21) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 137 times in the last 3 years, in 137 inspections, with $314,354 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (16), IL (10), PA (10).
- Related part: 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems (1,999 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21) 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
(21) Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service. 137 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 137 inspections cited 1926.502(d)(21) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(d)(21).
At 12:00 p.m. on August 14, 2024, Employee #1 was removing shingles from the roof while utilizing fall protection, wearing a harness attached to a rope lanyard. While leaning away from the roof, the rope lanyard detached from its binding, causing Employee #1 to lose…
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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 50 |
| 2026 | 47 |
Top states: VA (16), IL (10), PA (10), OH (7), MD (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MK1 CONSTRUCTION, LLC | DENVER, CO | $16,550 |
| J.S ALDO'S CONSTRUCTION CO, INC. | MAYWOOD, NJ | $16,550 |
| ROAD CONTRACTOR CORP | MIDDLETOWN, DE | $12,676 |
| BONILLA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | WEST CHESTER, OH | $12,421 |
| MCCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $10,592 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(d)(21).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems 1,999 citations
- 1926.502(d)(17) 558 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15) 509 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16) 322 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) 274 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6) 126 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6)(i) 109 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15)(ii) 57 citations
- 1926.502(d)(11) 44 citations
- 1926.502(d)(8) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(1) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6)(ii) 13 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.