1926.500(a): Where Subpart M Applies
Subpart M covers fall protection in construction, with listed exceptions. It does not apply to inspections or assessments made before construction starts or after it is complete, and work on scaffolds, cranes, steel erection, tunneling equipment, towers, power lines, and stairways and ladders is handled in other subparts.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.500(a)
(a) Scope and application.
(1) This subpart sets forth requirements and criteria for fall protection in construction workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926. Exception: The provisions of this subpart do not apply when employees are making an inspection, investigation, or assessment of workplace conditions prior to the actual start of construction work or after all construction work has been completed.
Open (a)(1)(2) Section 1926.501 sets forth those workplaces, conditions, operations, and circumstances for which fall protection shall be provided except as follows:
Open (a)(2)(i) Requirements relating to fall protection for employees working on scaffolds are provided in subpart L of this part.
Open (a)(2)(i)(ii) Requirements relating to fall protection for employees working on cranes and derricks are provided in subpart CC of this part.
(iii) Fall protection requirements for employees performing steel erection work (except for towers and tanks) are provided in subpart R of this part.
Open (a)(2)(iii)(iv) Requirements relating to fall protection for employees working on certain types of equipment used in tunneling operations are provided in subpart S of this part.
(v) Requirements relating to fall protection for employees engaged in the erection of tanks and communication and broadcast towers are provided in § 1926.105.
(vi) Subpart V of this part provides requirements relating to fall protection for employees working from aerial lifts or on poles, towers, or similar structures while engaged in the construction of electric transmission or distribution lines or equipment.
(vii) Requirements relating to fall protection for employees working on stairways and ladders are provided in subpart X of this part.
Open (a)(2)(vii)(3) Section 1926.502 sets forth the requirements for the installation, construction, and proper use of fall protection required by part 1926, except as follows:
Open (a)(3)(i) Performance requirements for guardrail systems used on scaffolds and performance requirements for falling object protection used on scaffolds are provided in subpart L of this part.
Open (a)(3)(i)(ii) Performance requirements for stairways, stairrail systems, and handrails are provided in subpart X of this part.
(iii) Additional performance requirements for fall arrest and work-positioning equipment are provided in subpart V of this part.
(iv) Section 1926.502 does not apply to the erection of tanks and communication and broadcast towers. (Note: Section 1926.104 sets the criteria for body belts, lanyards and lifelines used for fall protection during tank and communication and broadcast tower erection. Paragraphs (b),(c) and (f) of § 1926.107 provide definitions for the pertinent terms.)
(v) Criteria for steps, handholds, ladders, and grabrails/guardrails/railings required by subpart CC are provided in subpart CC. Sections 1926.502(a), (c) through (e), and (i) apply to activities covered under subpart CC unless otherwise stated in subpart CC. No other paragraphs of § 1926.502 apply to subpart CC.
(4) Section 1926.503 sets forth requirements for training in the installation and use of fall protection systems, except in relation to steel erection activities and the use of equipment covered by subpart CC.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.500.
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether an employer can use a controlled access zone during curtain wall installation. (2010-03-02)
- Interpretation of OSHA Fall Protection Exemption (29 CFR 1926.500(a)(1)) during inspection, investigation, and assessment activities. (2010-03-02)
- Whether a manufacturer-stipulated minimum anchor point elevation of 18 feet precludes the use of a shock absorbing lanyard in an aerial lift. (2009-01-14)
- Whether OSHA requirements prohibit working from a portable stepladder and, if not, whether fall protection is required. 29 CFR 1926.1053(b). (2007-11-28)
- Scaffolding/shoring (2005-04-11)
- Fall protection during roofing inspections, investigations, and assessments (2004-03-12)
- Requirements for fall protection when ladder jack scaffolds are used for residential and commercial construction (2003-07-07)
- Fall protection requirements for an employee working from a ladder on a walking/working surface other than the ground. (2003-05-21)
- Fall protection for post-frame work. (1995-10-24)
- Applicability of fall protection requirements/fall protection for waste collection and landfill activities. (1995-05-09)
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Official text from the eCFR. Citation and injury numbers from public U.S. Department of Labor enforcement and accident records, copied nightly; 3-year window; data as of . 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.