1910.176(g): Covers and Guardrails for Pits, Tanks and Vats
Employers must provide covers and/or guardrails to protect workers from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches and similar openings.
Key takeaways
- 1910.176(g) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 9 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $57,131 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.176(g) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.176(g) ("Guarding") is one requirement inside 1910.176 Handling materials—general, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). 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
(g) Guarding. Covers and/or guardrails shall be provided to protect personnel from the hazards of open pits, tanks, vats, ditches, etc. 9 citations
[39 FR 23052, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49749, Oct. 24, 1978]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.176.
Export the list: 9 inspections cited 1910.176(g) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.176(g).
At 9:00 a.m. on January 19, 2024, two employees (Employee #1 and Employee #2) were setting up the site to create another stack of steel pipes (30 inches in diameter by 40 feet long, weighing over 2,000 pounds each.) The employees removed the chock block…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.176(g), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.176(g).
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What protection is required around open pits and tanks?
Covers and/or guardrails.
Does this include ditches and vats?
Yes. The rule lists open pits, tanks, vats, ditches and similar openings.
Can covers be used instead of guardrails?
The rule allows covers and/or guardrails.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.176 (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 2026-11-06
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.