1910.28(b)(13)(iii): Fall Protection 15 Feet or More From a Roof Edge
When work on a low-slope roof is done 15 feet or more from the roof edge, employers must protect each employee with a guardrail, safety net, travel restraint, personal fall arrest system or a designated area, unless the work is both infrequent and temporary. Employers must also implement and enforce a work rule banning employees from going within 15 feet of the roof edge without fall protection.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(13)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $127,746 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (6), PA (5), MA (3).
- 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)(iii) is one requirement inside 1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. 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
(iii) When work is performed 15 feet (4.6 m) or more from the roof edge, the employer must: 29 citations
(A) Protect each employee from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system or a designated area. The employer is not required to provide any fall protection, provided the work is both infrequent and temporary; and Open (b)(13)(iii)(a) 14 citations
(B) Implement and enforce a work rule prohibiting employees from going within 15 feet (4.6 m) of the roof edge without using fall protection in accordance with paragraphs (b)(13)(i) and (ii) of this section. 5 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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: NV (6), PA (5), MA (3), MI (3), AZ (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| URX2024XTM082X0002 - MARK-TAYLOR RESIDENTIAL, INC. | GILBERT, AZ | $11,162 |
| PPX2024XJW184X0084 - REEIS A/C, LLC DBA REEIS | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,372 |
| LINEAGE LOGISTICS, LLC | NEW CASTLE, DE | $9,930 |
| AREA 15 LAS VEGAS, LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $9,457 |
| STANDARD STEEL, LLC | BURNHAM, PA | $9,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(13)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Fall Protection on low slope roofs (2024-06-06)
- Duty to have Fall Protection and Falling Object Protection While Performing Temporary and Infrequent Work on Roofs (2020-06-12)
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
What fall protection is needed 15 feet or more from the edge?
A guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, personal fall arrest system or a designated area.
Is fall protection ever not required that far from the edge?
The employer is not required to provide fall protection if the work is both infrequent and temporary.
What work rule is required?
A rule, implemented and enforced, prohibiting employees from going within 15 feet of the roof edge without fall protection.
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.