1926.1423(h): Fall Protection on Tower Cranes
For work other than erecting, climbing and dismantling, employers must provide and ensure use of fall protection for employees on a tower crane walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 6 feet above a lower level, except at or near draw-works when running, in the cab, or on the deck. For erecting, climbing and dismantling, the trigger is more than 15 feet.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1423(h) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $1,000 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.1423(h)(2) (1 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1423(h) ("Tower cranes") is one requirement inside 1926.1423 Fall protection, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It includes 2 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
(h) Tower cranes. 1 citations
(1) For work other than erecting, climbing, and dismantling, the employer must provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 6 feet above a lower level, except when the employee is at or near draw-works (when the equipment is running), in the cab, or on the deck.
(2) For erecting, climbing, and dismantling work, the employer must provide and ensure the use of fall protection equipment for employees who are on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level. Open (h)(2) 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1423.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1423(h).
At 4:30 p.m. on April 4, 2024, an employee working for building contractor on a multifamily residential project was waiting to start the crane climbing process to the platform when a cable snapped. The employee died when he fell over 30 stories (320 feet) to…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1423(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1423(h).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1423(h)(2) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fall protection height for general tower crane work?
More than 6 feet above a lower level.
What is it for erecting, climbing and dismantling?
More than 15 feet above a lower level.
Are there exceptions?
For work other than erecting, climbing and dismantling, the exceptions are at or near draw-works when the equipment is running, in the cab, or on the deck.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1423 (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 2026-10-19
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.