1926.502(a)(2): Fall Protection in Place Before the Work

In plain words:

Employers must provide and install all required fall protection, and meet the other Subpart M requirements, before the employee begins the work that needs it.

Guardrail system: top rail 42 inches plus or minus 3, midrail halfway, withstands 200 pounds
Guardrail heights and strength. Not to scale; the official text controls.
88citations, 3 years
$285,912current penalties
88inspections
0linked injury cases

Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(a)(2)

(2) Employers shall provide and install all fall protection systems required by this subpart for an employee, and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this subpart before that employee begins the work that necessitates the fall protection.

88 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.

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Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
20235
202439
202532
202612

Top states: VA (41), OH (13), GA (7), PR (4), TX (3)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
BONILLA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATIONWEST CHESTER, OH$24,842
SUNPOWER INC.WESTERVILLE, OH$16,550
BLATTNER ENERGY, LLCENID, OK$16,550
ROAD CONTRACTOR CORPALLENTOWN, PA$16,131
LESTER GUADRONVIRGINIA BEACH, VA$15,375

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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.

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