1910.28(b)(13)(i): Fall Protection Near Roof Edges
When work is performed less than 6 feet from the roof edge, employers must protect each employee from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(13)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 66 times in the last 3 years, in 66 inspections, with $233,223 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (8), OR (8), NV (7).
- 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)(13)(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) When work is performed less than 6 feet (1.6 m) from the roof edge, the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system. 66 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: MI (8), OR (8), NV (7), MA (5), MD (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HILL VIEW MINI BARNS | ETNA, ME | $21,453 |
| SILVER BAY SEAFOODS, LLC | FALSE PASS, AK | $16,550 |
| SA RECYCLING LLC | CANTON, OH | $15,625 |
| OYO HOTEL & CASINO LAS VEGAS | LAS VEGAS, NV | $11,524 |
| TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP LLC | MILTON, PA | $11,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(13)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Fall Protection on low slope roofs (2024-06-06)
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
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Frequently asked questions
When does this roof edge rule apply?
When work is performed less than 6 feet (1.6 m) from the roof edge.
What protection is allowed?
A guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.
Who must provide the protection?
The employer must ensure each employee is protected.
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.