1910.28(b)(8): Shallow Repair and Service Pits
Fall protection is not required for repair, service or assembly pits less than 10 feet deep if employers limit access within 6 feet of the edge to authorized, trained employees, mark or line the area at least 6 feet from the edge, and post readily visible "Caution - Open Pit" signs.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(b)(8) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 63 times in the last 3 years, in 54 inspections, with $99,752 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (6), MI (6), MD (6).
- 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)(8) ("Repair pits, service pits, and assembly pits less than 10 feet in depth") 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
(8) Repair pits, service pits, and assembly pits less than 10 feet in depth. The use of a fall protection system is not required for a repair pit, service pit, or assembly pit that is less than 10 feet (3 m) deep, provided the employer: 63 citations
(i) Limits access within 6 feet (1.8 m) of the edge of the pit to authorized employees trained in accordance with § 1910.30; 5 citations
(ii) Applies floor markings at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit in colors that contrast with the surrounding area; or places a warning line at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit as well as stanchions that are capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds (71 N) applied horizontally against the stanchion at a height of 30 inches (76 cm); or places a combination of floor markings and warning lines at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit. When two or more pits in a common area are not more than 15 feet (4.5m) apart, the employer may comply by placing contrasting floor markings at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the pit edge around the entire area of the pits; and Open (b)(8)(ii) 22 citations
(iii) Posts readily visible caution signs that meet the requirements of § 1910.145 and state “Caution—Open Pit.” 6 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)(8).
At approximately 12:42 p.m. on April 25, 2024, an employee was attempting to attach a loaded, but unsecured, flatbed trailer to a semi-truck. During the connection process, the kingpin rode over the top of the 5th wheel plate and slammed down onto it. For reasons…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 18 |
Top states: TN (6), MI (6), MD (6), NY (5), UT (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CPX2025XTN246X0046 - TAKE 5 PROPERTIES SPV LLC DBA TAKE 5 OIL CHANGE #30885 | LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ | $9,457 |
| PPX2025XTM082X0068 - GILA COUNTY - AUTOMOTIVE DEPARTMENT PAYSON | STAR VALLEY, AZ | $8,296 |
| J PETTIECORD INC | BONDURANT, IA | $7,944 |
| INGRAM READYMIX INC | CONVERSE, TX | $5,700 |
| QUALITY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES, LLC, MANAGEMENT COMPANY | PUEBLO, CO | $5,674 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(b)(8), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(b)(8).
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
When is fall protection not required for a pit?
For repair, service or assembly pits less than 10 feet (3 m) deep when the employer meets the access, marking and sign conditions.
How far from the edge must markings be?
At least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit, using contrasting floor markings, a warning line with stanchions, or both.
What must the sign say?
Readily visible caution signs meeting 1910.145 that state "Caution - Open Pit."
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.