1926.503(c)(3): Retrain When Skills Fall Short
Retraining is required when a worker's knowledge or use of fall protection shows they have not kept the understanding or skill they need.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.503(c)(3)
(3) Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of fall protection systems or equipment indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill.
The following appendices to subpart M of this part serve as non-mandatory guidelines to assist employers in complying with the appropriate requirements of subpart M of this part.
304 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.503.
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Injuries linked to this rule
3 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.503(c)(3), including 3 deaths.
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.
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 | 112 |
| 2025 | 116 |
| 2026 | 59 |
Top states: TX (105), PA (59), NY (38), FL (27), WI (21)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VENEGAS CONTRACTING, LLC | HARRISBURG, PA | $84,000 |
| EDD SERVICES LLC | HARTFORD, WI | $29,790 |
| VAN DERHOOF ROOFING CO, INC. | SYRACUSE, NY | $28,371 |
| DETWILER ROOFING LLC. | GEORGETOWN, DE | $27,804 |
| JCM ROOFING CONTRACTORS, LLC | EL PASO, TX | $24,197 |
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.503(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.503(c) Retraining 369 citations
- 1926.503(c)(2) 3 citations
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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.