1910.28(b)(6)(ii): Fall Protection Above Dangerous Equipment
Employers must protect each employee 4 feet or more above dangerous equipment from falling by using guardrail systems, safety net systems, travel restraint systems or personal fall arrest systems.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(6)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 17 times in the last 3 years, in 17 inspections, with $109,136 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (5), OK (2), AL (1).
- 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)(6)(ii) 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 4 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
(ii) Each employee 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above dangerous equipment must be protected from falling by: 17 citations
(A) Guardrail systems;
(B) Safety net systems;
(C) Travel restraint systems; or
(D) Personal fall arrest systems.
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)(6)(ii).
At 1:38 p.m. on November 6, 2023, Employee #1 was working for a site preparationcontractor. A concrete mixing truck was being cleaned. Employee #1 was applying grease with the grease gun to the grease fitting located at the back tothe truck. Employee #1 stepped back…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: MI (5), OK (2), AL (1), OH (1), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN'S RECYCLING, INC. | FRANKSVILLE, WI | $44,367 |
| THE VINCIT GROUP | WINESBURG, OH | $16,131 |
| HOLLISTER-WHITNEY ELEVATOR CORP. | QUINCY, IL | $12,500 |
| CNB CONTRACTING CORP. | BRONX, NY | $10,163 |
| CENTRAL DISPOSAL, LLC | EUFAULA, OK | $8,067 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(6)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(b)(6)(ii).
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
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
At what height is protection needed over dangerous equipment?
4 feet (1.2 m) or more above dangerous equipment.
Which systems are allowed?
Guardrail systems, safety net systems, travel restraint systems or personal fall arrest systems.
Does this apply in general industry?
Yes. This is part of 1910.28, the general industry fall protection rule.
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.