1910.30(c)(3): Retraining When Skills Fall Short
Employers must retrain an employee when gaps in the employee's knowledge or use of fall protection systems or equipment show the employee no longer understands or has the skill to use the equipment or do the job safely.
Key takeaways
- 1910.30(c)(3) 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 $65,409 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (5), PA (4), NY (3).
- Related part: 1910.30(c) Retraining (26 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.30(c)(3) is one requirement inside 1910.30 Training requirements, 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
(3) When inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of fall protection systems or equipment indicate that the employee no longer has the requisite understanding or skill necessary to use equipment or perform the job safely. 17 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.30.
Export the list: 17 inspections cited 1910.30(c)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Top states: TX (5), PA (4), NY (3), OH (2), VA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ZEP, INC. | CHAMBERSBURG, PA | $16,000 |
| GREAT BASIN PETROLEUM SERVICES | COYANOSA, TX | $9,680 |
| EMPLOYER SOLUTIONS STAFFING GROUP | PALMYRA, PA | $9,000 |
| MARC GLASSMAN INC. | BROOK PARK, OH | $8,643 |
| SMARDT CHILLERS, INC. | PLATTSBURGH, NY | $8,276 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.30(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.30(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.30(c) Retraining 26 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must fall protection training be repeated?
When inadequacies in an employee's knowledge or use of fall protection show they no longer have the understanding or skill needed.
What might show a gap in skill?
Inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of fall protection systems or equipment.
Is retraining tied to a calendar date here?
No. This paragraph is based on the employee's knowledge or skill, not a set schedule.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.30 (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 2026-11-06
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.