1910.28(b)(3)(v): Fall Protection at Hatchways and Chute-Floor Holes
Employers must protect workers from falling through hatchways and chute-floor holes by using a hinged floor-hole cover with a fixed guardrail leaving only one exposed side, or removable guardrails and toeboards on not more than two sides with fixed guardrails elsewhere. Covers must be closed or removable guardrails kept in place when not in use, and a guardrail or travel restraint system is required when passing material through the hole.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(3)(v) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 23 inspections, with $266,808 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (5), MA (4), TX (2).
- 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)(v) 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 3 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
(v) Each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute-floor hole by: 23 citations
(A) A hinged floor-hole cover that meets the criteria in § 1910.29 and a fixed guardrail system that leaves only one exposed side. When the hole is not in use, the employer must ensure the cover is closed or a removable guardrail system is provided on the exposed sides; 4 citations
(B) A removable guardrail system and toeboards on not more than two sides of the hole and a fixed guardrail system on all other exposed sides. The employer must ensure the removable guardrail system is kept in place when the hole is not in use; or
(C) A guardrail system or a travel restraint system when a work operation necessitates passing material through a hatchway or chute floor hole. 2 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: NV (5), MA (4), TX (2), WI (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLORENCE HARDWOODS, LLC | FLORENCE, WI | $137,508 |
| TURNER INDUSTRIES GROUP, LLC | NEDERLAND, TX | $16,131 |
| INDORAMA VENTURES OXIDES LLC | NEDERLAND, TX | $16,131 |
| TAOS, TOWN OF | TAOS, NM | $14,070 |
| BAKER BOY, INC. | DICKINSON, ND | $10,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(3)(v), 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)(v).
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 protection options exist for hatchways and chute-floor holes?
A hinged cover with fixed guardrail, removable guardrail and toeboards on not more than two sides with fixed guardrails elsewhere, or a guardrail or travel restraint system when passing material through.
What must happen when the hole is not in use?
The cover must be closed, or the removable guardrail system must be in place, depending on the option used.
What is needed when material is passed through the hole?
A guardrail system or a travel restraint system.
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.