1910.29(f)(4): Openings in Stair Rails
Employers must make sure no opening in a stair rail system exceeds 19 inches (48 cm) at its least dimension.
Key takeaways
- 1910.29(f)(4) 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 76 inspections, with $82,642 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (13), TN (13), OR (6).
- Related part: 1910.29(f) Handrails and stair rail systems (135 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.29(f)(4) ("Openings in stair rails") 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). 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
(4) Openings in stair rails. No opening in a stair rail system exceeds 19 inches (48 cm) at its least dimension. 76 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.29.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.29(f)(4).
At 10:30 a.m. on November 13, 2024, an employee working as a the mechanic shop foreman for an automobile parts store had just returned from his morning break. The employee and a coworker working as a foreman had begun working on a vehicle together. The…
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 | 7 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 18 |
Top states: TX (13), TN (13), OR (6), WV (5), NY (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| J.E. MEURET GRAIN CO. INC | BRUNSWICK, NE | $8,460 |
| TRIMAC TRANSPORTATION INC. | BEAUMONT, TX | $7,366 |
| TANMAR COMPANIES, LLC | ODESSA, TX | $6,000 |
| TANMAR COMPANIES, LLC | ODESSA, TX | $6,000 |
| MAUSER CONTAINER GROUP, LLC. | NORTH WALES, PA | $5,426 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.29(f)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.29(f)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.29(f) Handrails and stair rail systems 135 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1) Height criteria 26 citations
- 1910.29(f)(7) Strength criteria 16 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(iii) 10 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A) 8 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(ii) 8 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(i) 8 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B) 4 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(A) 4 citations
- 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(B)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How big can openings in a stair rail be?
No opening may exceed 19 inches (48 cm) at its least dimension.
What does least dimension mean?
The smallest measurement across the opening.
Does this apply to stair rail systems?
Yes. It is a requirement for stair rail systems under 1910.29(f).
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 2026-10-21
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.