1926.502(h)(1)(iii): Monitor on the Same Surface, Within Sight
The safety monitor must be on the same walking/working surface as the workers being monitored and within visual sighting distance of them.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(h)(1)(iii) 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 $66,318 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OH (3), IL (3), WI (2).
- Related part: 1926.502(h) Safety monitoring systems (109 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(h)(1)(iii) 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
(iii) The safety monitor shall be on the same walking/working surface and within visual sighting distance of the employee being monitored; 18 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 18 inspections cited 1926.502(h)(1)(iii) 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 | 8 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: OH (3), IL (3), WI (2), NY (2), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KAPILI CONSTRUCTION LLC | HONOLULU, HI | $17,735 |
| ARSI ASBESTOS REMOVAL SERVICES INC. | MOBERLY, MO | $11,292 |
| INTERSTATE ROOFING & WATERPROOFING, INC. | BALDWIN, WI | $6,921 |
| B&B EXTERIOR REMODELING LLC | FRANKFORT, IL | $5,958 |
| FLEX STAR ROOF COATINGS AND SUPPLY INC. | HUDSON, OH | $4,500 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(h)(1)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(h)(1)(iii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(h) Safety monitoring systems 109 citations
- 1926.502(h)(1) 108 citations
- 1926.502(h)(1)(v) 56 citations
- 1926.502(h)(1)(ii) 5 citations
- 1926.502(h)(1)(i) 4 citations
- 1926.502(h)(1)(iv) 1 citations
- 1926.502(h)(2) 1 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.