1926.501(b)(10): Roofing Work on Low-Slope Roofs
Workers doing roofing work on low-slope roofs with edges 6 feet or more above lower levels need guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest, or a warning line combined with one of those or with a safety monitor. On roofs 50 feet wide or less, a safety monitoring system alone is allowed.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(10)
(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system, warning line system and safety net system, or warning line system and personal fall arrest system, or warning line system and safety monitoring system. Or, on roofs 50-feet (15.25 m) or less in width (see appendix A to subpart M of this part), the use of a safety monitoring system alone [i.e. without the warning line system] is permitted.
1,827 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
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Injuries linked to this rule
16 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(10), including 16 deaths.
On February 17, 2025, Employee #1 was working for a metal roofing contractor and manufacturer reportedly mis-stepped on a purlin. Employee #1 fell through the roll insulation onto the floor inside a warehouse building. Employee #1 diedfrom the injuries sustained.
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 | 133 |
| 2024 | 655 |
| 2025 | 642 |
| 2026 | 397 |
Top states: MD (240), IL (131), NY (109), PA (100), FL (93)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALWAYS UP ROOFING, INC. | BROOKLYN, OH | $124,841 |
| FLEX STAR CERTIFIED ROOFING INSTALLERS INC | PETERSBURG, IL | $124,219 |
| FLEX STAR CERTIFIED ROOFING INSTALLERS INC. | PEORIA, IL | $69,510 |
| MILCON CONSTRUCTION CORP. | NEW WINDSOR, NY | $64,529 |
| LEVEL EDGE CONSTRUCTION, LLC | MOHNTON, PA | $59,580 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification on the use of safety monitors as a method of fall protection on a low-slope roof. (2012-04-20)
- Use of a warning line instead of conventional fall protection; Part 1926 Subpart M (2005-01-03)
- Residential fall protection: safety monitors; walking top plate of braced walls in installation; warning line; plating exterior walls; height limitation; non-roofer PPE; slide guards (2004-11-30)
- Fall protection during roofing inspections, investigations, and assessments (2004-03-12)
- Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof (2003-12-15)
- Fall protection requirements for employees, other than roofers, working on low-slope roofs (2002-11-15)
- Fall protection requirements for workers engaged in "roof blocking." (2001-05-03)
- Fall protection: determination of roof width on irregular shaped roofs. (2001-01-16)
- Acceptable use of warning lines as fall protection for roofers and other trades. (2000-08-01)
- Fall protection non-conforming guardrail criteria for application of a de minimis policy. (2000-05-12)
- The impact on the roofing industry of the OSHA's newly revised fall protection standard. (1995-05-08)
- The impact on the roofing industry from OSHA's fall protection standard. (1995-03-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,489 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,470 citations
- 1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 2,860 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.