1926.502(b)(3): Guardrail Strength: 200 Pounds
Guardrails must withstand at least 200 pounds of force applied within 2 inches of the top edge, outward or downward, at any point along the top edge.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(b)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 59 times in the last 3 years, in 59 inspections, with $184,756 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: UT (8), TN (5), FL (4).
- 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)(3) 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
(3) Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. 59 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 59 inspections cited 1926.502(b)(3) 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)(3).
At 4:30 p.m. on April 9, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a construction company, was leaning against a guardrail on the 3rd level balcony of an apartment building. The guardrail failed, and the employee fell to the ground. The employee sustained internal injuries, including fractured…
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 | 4 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: UT (8), TN (5), FL (4), OR (4), VA (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HIGHRISE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. | HOBOKEN, NJ | $14,895 |
| SUMMIT CONTRACTING GROUP, INC. | FAIRBURN, GA | $13,240 |
| P.J. HOERR, INC. | PEORIA, IL | $9,000 |
| PAVILION CONSTRUCTION, LLC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $8,704 |
| HOGAN & ASSOCIATES CONSTRUCTION | FILLMORE, UT | $7,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(b)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems 360 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2) 123 citations
- 1926.502(b)(1) 109 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.