1926.502(i)(2): Hole Cover Strength: Twice the Load
Covers outside roadways must support at least twice the weight of the workers, equipment and materials that may be on them at one time.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(i)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $108,916 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (9), MI (7), NC (5).
- Related part: 1926.502(i) Covers (317 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(i)(2) 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
(2) All other covers shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time. 34 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 34 inspections cited 1926.502(i)(2) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: VA (9), MI (7), NC (5), OR (4), UT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 109707 - BILLY HENSLEY DBA HENSLEY AUTO SUPPLY LLC | BEMIDJI, MN | $25,000 |
| R&B ROOFING LLC | BAINBRIDGE, GA | $12,661 |
| 157817 - ANNEX GROUP LLC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $9,678 |
| 154712 - DELMY ALVAREZ | SOUTHERN PINES, NC | $9,375 |
| 154707 - MODERN MECHANICAL HVAC LLC | SOUTHERN PINES, NC | $9,375 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(i)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(i)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(i) Covers 317 citations
- 1926.502(i)(4) 142 citations
- 1926.502(i)(3) 139 citations
- 1926.502(i)(1) 2 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.