1926.502(i)(3): Secure Hole Covers
Covers must be secured when installed so wind, equipment or workers cannot knock them out of place.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(i)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 139 times in the last 3 years, in 139 inspections, with $429,987 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (22), MI (18), NY (16).
- Related part: 1926.502(i) Covers (317 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1926.502(i)(3) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(i)(3) 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
(3) All covers shall be secured when installed so as to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees. 139 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 139 inspections cited 1926.502(i)(3) 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(i)(3).
At 11:28 a.m. on June 28, 2024, an employee working as a construction laborer for a commercial building contractor was scraping excess concrete ashes from a floor and making piles of ash. The employee was working from the 4th floor of a multifamily residential building…
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 | 17 |
| 2024 | 61 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: MD (22), MI (18), NY (16), VA (13), NC (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| AXON CONSTRUCTION INC | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $29,790 |
| INTERNATIONAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 |
| NORTHSTAR CONTRACTING GROUP INC. | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,131 |
| 154736 - SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTORS, INC. | DURHAM, NC | $15,625 |
| LITHKO CONTRACTING LLC | SEDALIA, MO | $14,188 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(i)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(i)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(i) Covers 317 citations
- 1926.502(i)(4) 142 citations
- 1926.502(i)(2) 34 citations
- 1926.502(i)(1) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
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.