1910.29(b)(2): Midrails and Intermediate Guardrail Members
Employers must install midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels or equivalent between the walking-working surface and the top rail when there is no wall or parapet at least 21 inches (53 cm) high. Midrails go midway up, screens and mesh fill the whole opening, and balusters or other members leave openings no more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide.
Key takeaways
- 1910.29(b)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 272 times in the last 3 years, in 269 inspections, with $449,836 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (24), MI (23), TN (21).
- Related part: 1910.29(b) Guardrail systems (624 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.29(b)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.29 Fall protection systems and falling object protection—criteria and practices, 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
(2) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, or equivalent intermediate members are installed between the walking-working surface and the top edge of the guardrail system as follows when there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high: 272 citations
(i) Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface; Open (b)(2)(i) 116 citations
(ii) Screens and mesh extend from the walking-working surface to the top rail and along the entire opening between top rail supports;
(iii) Intermediate vertical members (such as balusters) are installed no more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart; and 1 citations
(iv) Other equivalent intermediate members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.29.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.29(b)(2).
At 8:50 a.m. on January 24, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a construction laborer for a concrete supplier attempted to remove a blockage in a material storage bin. The aggregate that was filling the hopper became clogged. The employee attempted to clear the blockage…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 91 |
| 2025 | 109 |
| 2026 | 59 |
Top states: IL (24), MI (23), TN (21), OR (18), VA (18)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| EFFINGHAM EQUITY | WESTFIELD, IL | $16,550 |
| SILVER BAY SEAFOODS LLC | VALDEZ, AK | $15,625 |
| SILVER BAY SEAFOODS LLC | SITKA, AK | $12,676 |
| THE HILLSHIRE BRANDS COMPANY | NEW LONDON, WI | $12,000 |
| CHICOPEE CONCRETE SERVICE, INC | GREENFIELD, MA | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.29(b)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.29(b)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.29(b) Guardrail systems 624 citations
- 1910.29(b)(1) 204 citations
- 1910.29(b)(2)(i) 116 citations
- 1910.29(b)(13) 50 citations
- 1910.29(b)(3) 49 citations
- 1910.29(b)(13)(i) 32 citations
- 1910.29(b)(10) 19 citations
- 1910.29(b)(5) 12 citations
- 1910.29(b)(6) 10 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When are midrails or similar members required?
When there is not a wall or parapet that is at least 21 inches (53 cm) high.
Where must a midrail be installed?
At a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface.
How far apart can balusters be?
No more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.29 (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.