1926.502(b)(9): Rail Thickness and Wire Rope Flagging
Top rails and midrails must be at least one-quarter inch thick to prevent cuts. Wire rope used as a top rail must be flagged with high-visibility material at least every 6 feet.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(9)
(9) Top rails and midrails shall be at least one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) nominal diameter or thickness to prevent cuts and lacerations. If wire rope is used for top rails, it shall be flagged at not more than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material.
14 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
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Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: MD (4), VA (3), UT (2), AZ (2), CT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FPL FABRICATORS & ERECTORS GROUP LLC | STRATFORD, CT | $6,222 |
| GRAY-HOURIGAN, A JOINT VENTURE | CHESTER, VA | $520 |
| DANIEL'S WELDING, LLC | PARK CITY, UT | $394 |
| ENGLISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED | LYNCHBURG, VA | $0 |
| STAVLAS PROPERTIES, LLC. | SYKESVILLE, MD | $0 |
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(b)(9).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(b) Guardrail systems 362 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2) 124 citations
- 1926.502(b)(1) 112 citations
- 1926.502(b)(3) 58 citations
- 1926.502(b)(2)(i) 24 citations
- 1926.502(b)(13) 18 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
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.