1926.501(b)(1): Unprotected Sides and Edges
Any worker on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level must be protected by a guardrail system, safety net system or personal fall arrest system.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1)
(1) Unprotected sides and edges. Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
2,860 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
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Injuries linked to this rule
22 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(1), including 22 deaths.
An employee was carrying metal panel siding to a balcony for installation. The employee lost his step and fell approximately 10 feet to the next balcony, resulting in fatal head injuries.
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 | 233 |
| 2024 | 1,094 |
| 2025 | 956 |
| 2026 | 577 |
Top states: TX (218), MI (172), VA (172), MD (160), NY (144)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGAARD CONSTRUCTION, INC | MENNO, SD | $331,028 |
| LEVEL EDGE CONSTRUCTION, LLC | FOLCROFT, PA | $263,638 |
| RF CONSTRUCTION | BLUE SPRINGS, MO | $159,696 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | ROANOKE, VA | $153,742 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $153,742 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Fall protection requirements applicable during the construction of retaining walls (2014-05-20)
- Fall protection for workers having to walk/work along bridge decks when the edges are finished with a 32 in. high barrier wall. (2013-09-03)
- Fall protection requirements for employees working on an elevator car frame. (2010-03-02)
- Fall protection requirements for employees on construction equipment. (2009-03-16)
- Scaffolding/shoring (2005-04-11)
- Use of a warning line instead of conventional fall protection; Part 1926 Subpart M (2005-01-03)
- Clarification if a depression constitutes a hole or unprotected side/edge and associated fall protection requirements. (2004-09-30)
- Fall protection is not required where there is no feasible means of providing it while working on vehicles or trailers. (2004-03-10)
- Clarification of several residential construction and fall protection issues. (2003-12-17)
- Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof (2003-12-15)
- Fall protection requirements for an employee working from a ladder on a walking/working surface other than the ground. (2003-05-21)
- Fall protection requirements for both residential and commercial HVAC systems; clarification of confined spaces (2001-09-13)
- Fall protection requirements for workers engaged in "roof blocking." (2001-05-03)
- Use of aerial lifts to transport workers to elevated workstations; scissor lifts are not covered by the aerial lift provisions. (2001-05-03)
- Employees engaged in formwork over 6 feet high must have fall protection. (2000-08-28)
- Clarification of the terms "hole" versus "unprotected sides or edges." (2000-08-14)
- Fall protection, lifejacket, and lifesaving requirements when working over or near water. (1999-09-28)
- Fall protection for exposure to unfilled swimming pools. (1998-06-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,489 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,470 citations
- 1926.501(b)(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs 1,827 citations
- 1926.501(b)(11) Steep roofs 1,554 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4) Holes 1,119 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) 670 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(i) 423 citations
- 1926.501(b)(14) Wall openings 271 citations
- 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed 148 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2) Leading edges 117 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2)(i) 80 citations
- 1926.501(b)(3) Hoist areas 47 citations
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About this page
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 2026-10-18. 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.