1926.503(b): Written Training Certification

In plain words:

Employers must prove fall protection training with a written certification record showing each worker's name, the training date(s), and the trainer's or employer's signature, and must keep the latest one.

Fall protection training certification with employee name, training dates and trainer signature
What a training record must show. Not to scale; the official text controls.
3,424citations, 3 years
$1,321,624current penalties
3,424inspections
27linked injury cases

Official text: 29 CFR 1926.503(b)

(b) Certification of training.

3,424 citations

(1) The employer shall verify compliance with paragraph (a) of this section by preparing a written certification record. The written certification record shall contain the name or other identity of the employee trained, the date(s) of the training, and the signature of the person who conducted the training or the signature of the employer. If the employer relies on training conducted by another employer or completed prior to the effective date of this section, the certification record shall indicate the date the employer determined the prior training was adequate rather than the date of actual training.

Open (b)(1) 3,406 citations

(2) The latest training certification shall be maintained.

Open (b)(2) 18 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.503.

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Injuries linked to this rule

27 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.503(b), including 27 deaths.

Employee is fatally injured in fall from balcony
2025-03-03 · Fatal · FLUSHING, NY

An employee was carrying metal panel siding to a balcony for installation. The employee lost his step and fell approximately 10 feet to the next balcony, resulting in fatal head injuries.

See all 27 cases

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Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
2023211
20241,252
20251,254
2026707

Top states: MD (938), NC (446), IL (399), FL (241), WI (187)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
JOJO'S ROOFINGJUNEAU, AK$36,413
EM CUSTOM HOMES, INC.ELGIN, IL$21,281
RAYMUNDO ABUNDES-MONTIEL D.B.A RAYMUNDO ABUNDESCLARENDON HILLS, IL$19,015
JUAN CORDONAEDISON, NJ$17,286
ORLIN COCHRANKETCHIKAN, AK$16,550

OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.503(b).

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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.

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