1926.501(b)(4)(i): Falling Through Holes and Skylights
Workers must be protected from falling through holes, including skylights, more than 6 feet above lower levels by personal fall arrest systems, covers or guardrails around the hole.
Key takeaways
- 1926.501(b)(4)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 418 times in the last 3 years, in 412 inspections, with $1,915,810 in current penalties.
- 17 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (39), VA (32), IL (32).
- Related part: 1926.501(b) (23,401 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.501 Duty to have fall protection, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). 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
(i) Each employee on walking/working surfaces shall be protected from falling through holes (including skylights) more than 6 feet (1.8 m) above lower levels, by personal fall arrest systems, covers, or guardrail systems erected around such holes. 418 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.501.
Export the list: 412 inspections cited 1926.501(b)(4)(i) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
17 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.501(b)(4)(i).
At 10:00 a.m. on February 13, 2025, Employee #1 was pressure washing a roof whenhe fell through a skylight, sustaining fatal 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 | 24 |
| 2024 | 122 |
| 2025 | 139 |
| 2026 | 133 |
Top states: MI (39), VA (32), IL (32), TX (29), NY (28)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FARGO GLASS & PAINT COMPANY | BISMARCK, ND | $119,170 |
| PRO-TECH ROOFING, INC. | DEERFIELD, IL | $46,568 |
| J & R BUILDING AND REPAIRS, INC. | DES PLAINES, IL | $35,491 |
| DA ROOFING, INC. | TEN SLEEP, WY | $31,252 |
| TITANPRO INC. | BELLEVUE, NE | $21,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.501(b)(4)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.501(b) 23,401 citations
- 1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction 15,404 citations
- 1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges 2,850 citations
- 1926.501(b)(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs 1,828 citations
- 1926.501(b)(11) Steep roofs 1,551 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4) Holes 1,110 citations
- 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) 666 citations
- 1926.501(b)(14) Wall openings 271 citations
- 1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed 151 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2) Leading edges 117 citations
- 1926.501(b)(2)(i) 80 citations
- 1926.501(b)(3) Hoist areas 43 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.501 (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 2026-11-07
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.