1910.28(c): Protection From Falling Objects
When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer must make sure the employee wears head protection meeting subpart I. The employer must also use toeboards, screens or guardrails, canopy structures with objects kept back from edges, or barricaded areas that employees may not enter, with objects kept back from edges.
Key takeaways
- 1910.28(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 76 times in the last 3 years, in 75 inspections, with $355,611 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (15), NJ (6), VA (6).
- Related part: 1910.28(c)(3) (27 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.28(c) ("Protection from falling objects") 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
(c) Protection from falling objects. When an employee is exposed to falling objects, the employer must ensure that each employee wears head protection that meets the requirements of subpart I of this part. In addition, the employer must protect employees from falling objects by implementing one or more of the following: 76 citations
(1) Erecting toeboards, screens, or guardrail systems to prevent objects from falling to a lower level; 9 citations
(2) Erecting canopy structures and keeping potential falling objects far enough from an edge, hole, or opening to prevent them from falling to a lower level; or 1 citations
(3) Barricading the area into which objects could fall, prohibiting employees from entering the barricaded area, and keeping objects far enough from an edge or opening to prevent them from falling to a lower level. Open (c)(3) 27 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.28.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.28(c).
At 7:15 a.m. on January 7, 2025, Employee #1 was standing on the support platform of a Combi forklift, using it as a working surface to cut a bundle of overhead galvanized pipe. Upon cutting the last strap securing the bundle, the pipes shifted and…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: NY (15), NJ (6), VA (6), CT (5), OR (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| OLSEN'S LANDSCAPING AND TREE SERVICE | GREENWOOD LAKE, NY | $16,550 |
| LOAD TRAIL LLC | SUMNER, TX | $16,550 |
| UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, INC. | OAK CREEK, WI | $16,131 |
| BZ TREES SERVICES AND LANDSCAPING LLC | HADLEY, NY | $15,625 |
| FERGUSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | MENTONE, TX | $14,518 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.28(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.28(c).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.28(c)(3) 27 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Is a hard hat enough for falling object hazards?
No. Employees must wear head protection, and the employer must also use one or more of the listed protective measures.
What measures can the employer use?
Toeboards, screens or guardrail systems; canopy structures with objects kept back from edges; or barricading the area and keeping objects back from edges.
Can workers enter a barricaded drop zone?
No. Employees must be prohibited from entering the barricaded area.
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.