1910.28(b)(3)(iv): Guarding Ladderway Floor Holes
Employers must protect each worker from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole with a guardrail system and toeboards on all exposed sides. At the entrance to the hole, a self-closing gate or an offset must be used.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(3)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 108 times in the last 3 years, in 108 inspections, with $385,586 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (18), MI (15), NY (14).
- 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)(3)(iv) 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
(iv) Each employee is protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system and toeboards erected on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole, where a self-closing gate or an offset must be used. 108 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)(3)(iv).
At 8:45 a.m. on January 17, 2025, Employee #1 was loading grain when he fell from an elevated platform causing fatal injuries.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: WI (18), MI (15), NY (14), IA (8), NC (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TYSON FOODS, INC. | HILLSDALE, IL | $16,550 |
| BLUESCOPE RECYCLING AND MATERIALS, LLC | MANSFIELD, OH | $15,625 |
| RHINO STAGING LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $14,895 |
| KALMBACH FEEDS, INC. | UPPER SANDUSKY, OH | $14,250 |
| JOHN DEERE FOUNDRY | WATERLOO, IA | $13,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(3)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(b)(3)(iv).
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)(6)(i) 106 citations
- 1910.28(b)(15) Walking-working surfaces not otherwise addressed 68 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 must a ladderway floor hole be protected?
With a guardrail system and toeboards erected on all exposed sides.
What is required at the entrance?
A self-closing gate or an offset.
Does this apply to platform holes too?
Yes. It covers ladderway floor holes and ladderway platform holes.
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.