1910.28(b)(13): Fall Protection on Low-Slope Roofs
Employers must protect workers on low-slope roofs from falling, based on distance from the roof edge. Less than 6 feet from the edge requires guardrails, safety nets, travel restraint or personal fall arrest; 6 to less than 15 feet allows a designated area for infrequent and temporary work; 15 feet or more allows a designated area, or no fall protection for infrequent and temporary work, plus an enforced rule against going within 15 feet without fall protection.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(13) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 132 times in the last 3 years, in 125 inspections, with $497,748 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (22), MI (11), OR (11).
- 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) ("Work on low-slope roofs") 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 5 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
(13) Work on low-slope roofs. 132 citations
(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. Open (b)(13)(i) 66 citations
(ii) When work is performed at least 6 feet (1.6 m) but less than 15 feet (4.6 m) from the roof edge, the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by using a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system. The employer may use a designated area when performing work that is both infrequent and temporary. Open (b)(13)(ii) 37 citations
(iii) When work is performed 15 feet (4.6 m) or more from the roof edge, the employer must: Open (b)(13)(iii) 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 | 13 |
| 2024 | 42 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 29 |
Top states: NV (22), MI (11), OR (11), MA (11), PA (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HILL VIEW MINI BARNS | ETNA, ME | $21,453 |
| TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP LLC | MILTON, PA | $18,300 |
| SILVER BAY SEAFOODS, LLC | FALSE PASS, AK | $16,550 |
| SA RECYCLING LLC | CANTON, OH | $15,625 |
| DESERT PALACE LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $15,070 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(13), 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)(6) Dangerous equipment 123 citations
- 1910.28(b)(3)(iv) 108 citations
- 1910.28(b)(6)(i) 106 citations
- 1910.28(b)(15) Walking-working surfaces not otherwise addressed 68 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What fall protection is needed less than 6 feet from a low-slope roof edge?
A guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.
When can a designated area be used?
At least 6 feet but less than 15 feet from the edge for work that is both infrequent and temporary, or 15 feet or more from the edge.
Is fall protection ever not required on a low-slope roof?
At 15 feet or more from the edge, it is not required if the work is both infrequent and temporary, but the employer must enforce a rule against going within 15 feet 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.