1910.28(b)(11)(i): Stair Landing Edge Protection
Employers must protect each employee exposed to an unprotected side or edge of a stairway landing that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level with a guardrail or stair rail system.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(11)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 40 times in the last 3 years, in 40 inspections, with $84,369 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (4), PR (4), IN (4).
- Related part: 1910.28(b) Protection from fall hazards (3,551 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection, 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
(i) Each employee exposed to an unprotected side or edge of a stairway landing that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected by a guardrail or stair rail system; 40 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.28(b)(11)(i).
At 10:11 a.m. on October 19, 2023, an employee was working as an automobile mechanic for an automobile dealership. The employee was walking through the repair shop when he was struck by a car that was backing up. The employee was transported to the hospital,…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: NJ (4), PR (4), IN (4), IL (4), OH (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHS INC. | WAVERLY, IL | $9,930 |
| LAFEBER COMPANY | CORNELL, IL | $7,282 |
| HARRIS FABRICATION, INC. | TOPEKA, KS | $6,775 |
| HARMSCO INC. | RIVIERA BEACH, FL | $6,453 |
| WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT | SEWELL, NJ | $4,900 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(11)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(b)(11)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.28(b) Protection from fall hazards 3,551 citations
- 1910.28(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 1,938 citations
- 1910.28(b)(1)(i) 1,933 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3) Holes 667 citations
- 1910.28(b)(11) Stairways 407 citations
- 1910.28(b)(11)(ii) 351 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(ii) 288 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(i) 238 citations
- 1910.28(b)(13) Work on low-slope roofs 132 citations
- 1910.28(b)(6) Dangerous equipment 123 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(iv) 108 citations
- 1910.28(b)(6)(i) 106 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
At what height does a stairway landing edge need protection?
When it is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level.
What protection is required?
A guardrail or stair rail system.
Who does this protect?
Each employee exposed to an unprotected side or edge of the landing.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.28 (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.