1926.502(b)(1): Guardrail Top Rail Height
The top rail of a guardrail must be 42 inches, plus or minus 3 inches, above the walking/working level. It may be higher if the system meets all other criteria, and it must be raised by the height of any stilts in use.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(b)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 109 times in the last 3 years, in 109 inspections, with $259,953 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (14), TN (11), OR (10).
- Related part: 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems (360 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, 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
(1) Top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, shall be 42 inches (1.1 m) plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm) above the walking/working level. When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of this paragraph. 109 citations
When employees are using stilts, the top edge height of the top rail, or equivalent member, shall be increased an amount equal to the height of the stilts.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 109 inspections cited 1926.502(b)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(b)(1).
At 2:54 p.m. on November 7, 2024, a supervisor and two employees were removing apipe valve and actuator from the third-story platform of a heat recovery steam generator with the assistance of a crane contractor. As the crane lifted the load, the signal person gave…
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 23 |
Top states: PA (14), TN (11), OR (10), UT (10), MI (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| OS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC. | HENDERSON, NV | $13,406 |
| FCX2025XJW184X0127 - BAY VALVE, LLC | ARLINGTON, AZ | $11,524 |
| COLT BUILDERS CORPORATION | WOBURN, MA | $11,292 |
| STROBER-WRIGHT ROOFING, INC. | QUAKERTOWN, PA | $8,442 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(b)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems 360 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2) 123 citations
- 1926.502(b)(3) 59 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2)(i) 23 citations
- 1926.502(b)(13) 18 citations
- 1926.502(b)(9) 14 citations
- 1926.502(b)(6) 12 citations
- 1926.502(b)(4) 6 citations
- 1926.502(b)(10) 3 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.502 (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.