1910.22(d)(1): Inspect and Maintain Walking-Working Surfaces
Employers must make sure walking-working surfaces are inspected regularly and as necessary, and kept in a safe condition.
Key takeaways
- 1910.22(d)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 394 times in the last 3 years, in 394 inspections, with $1,021,641 in current penalties.
- 12 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (54), NY (28), MA (28).
- Related part: 1910.22(d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair (590 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.22(d)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.22 General requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). 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
(1) Walking-working surfaces are inspected, regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition; 394 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.22.
Injuries linked to this rule
12 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.22(d)(1).
At 12:30 p.m. on December 26, 2024, an employee was walking between a steel beamand a conveyor when he became caught and was crushed between the two. The employee died at the scene.
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 | 24 |
| 2024 | 147 |
| 2025 | 137 |
| 2026 | 86 |
Top states: PR (54), NY (28), MA (28), NJ (21), CT (19)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. POSTAL SERVICE | RUTHERFORD, NJ | $49,000 |
| DE | TOA BAJA, PR | $40,000 |
| AEP | TOA BAJA, PR | $20,000 |
| UNITED STATES PIPE AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, LLC | BESSEMER, AL | $16,550 |
| MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP | UXBRIDGE, MA | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.22(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- De minimis provision for Floor Loading Protection (1977-09-27)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.22(d) Inspection, maintenance, and repair 590 citations
- 1910.22(d)(2) 184 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How often must walking-working surfaces be inspected?
Regularly and as necessary.
What must be done after inspection?
The surfaces must be maintained in a safe condition.
Is a one-time inspection enough?
No. Surfaces must be inspected regularly and as necessary, and kept in a safe condition.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.22 (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 2026-10-20
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.