1926.502(b): Guardrail Systems
Guardrails need a top rail at 42 inches plus or minus 3 inches, midrails or equivalent where there is no wall at least 21 inches high, the strength to withstand 200 pounds at the top edge, and safe surfaces, rail sizes, and gates at hoist areas and access holes.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(b)
(b) Guardrail systems. Guardrail systems and their use shall comply with the following provisions:
362 citations(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.
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.
Open (b)(1) 112 citations(2) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members shall be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches (53 cm) high.
Open (b)(2) 124 citations(i) Midrails, when used, shall be installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working level.
Open (b)(2)(i) 24 citations(ii) Screens and mesh, when used, shall extend from the top rail to the walking/working level and along the entire opening between top rail supports.
(iii) Intermediate members (such as balusters), when used between posts, shall be not more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart.
8 citations(iv) Other structural members (such as additional midrails and architectural panels) shall be installed such that there are no openings in the guardrail system that are more than 19 inches (.5 m) wide.
2 citations(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.
Open (b)(3) 58 citations(4) When the 200 pound (890 N) test load specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section is applied in a downward direction, the top edge of the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working level. Guardrail system components selected and constructed in accordance with the appendix B to subpart M of this part will be deemed to meet this requirement.
Open (b)(4) 6 citations(5) Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member.
7 citations(6) Guardrail systems shall be so surfaced as to prevent injury to an employee from punctures or lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.
Open (b)(6) 12 citations(7) The ends of all top rails and midrails shall not overhang the terminal posts, except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.
1 citations(8) Steel banding and plastic banding shall not be used as top rails or midrails.
1 citations(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.
Open (b)(9) 14 citations(10) When guardrail systems are used at hoisting areas, a chain, gate or removable guardrail section shall be placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when hoisting operations are not taking place.
Open (b)(10) 3 citations(11) When guardrail systems are used at holes, they shall be erected on all unprotected sides or edges of the hole.
2 citations(12) When guardrail systems are used around holes used for the passage of materials, the hole shall have not more than two sides provided with removable guardrail sections to allow the passage of materials. When the hole is not in use, it shall be closed over with a cover, or a guardrail system shall be provided along all unprotected sides or edges.
1 citations(13) When guardrail systems are used around holes which are used as points of access (such as ladderways), they shall be provided with a gate, or be so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the hole.
Open (b)(13) 18 citations(14) Guardrail systems used on ramps and runways shall be erected along each unprotected side or edge.
3 citations(15) Manila, plastic or synthetic rope being used for top rails or midrails shall be inspected as frequently as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the strength requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(b), including 4 deaths.
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 | 21 |
| 2024 | 117 |
| 2025 | 142 |
| 2026 | 82 |
Top states: OR (39), TN (32), MI (29), MD (29), VA (28)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WOODLAND FRAMING, INC. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $17,940 |
| KOCH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC | LAS CRUCES, NM | $16,554 |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| HIGHRISE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. | HOBOKEN, NJ | $14,895 |
| 317744305 - CONSTRUCTIVE INC | BEND, OR | $13,968 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Spacing of the posts in between modular guardrail system sections. (2014-08-26)
- Fall protection for workers having to walk/work along bridge decks when the edges are finished with a 32 in. high barrier wall. (2013-09-03)
- Guardrail height requirements for construction activities in General Industry Facilities. (2006-04-17)
- Use of a warning line instead of conventional fall protection; Part 1926 Subpart M (2005-01-03)
- Clarification if a depression constitutes a hole or unprotected side/edge and associated fall protection requirements. (2004-09-30)
- Wire rope clips on suspension scaffolds; safety latches on large crane hooks; order of assembly for hanging scaffolds; and horizontal lifeline design. (2004-03-04)
- Evaluation of Fiber-Lam "Super Brace" compliance with construction fall protection requirements for guarding structural openings. (2003-11-03)
- Compliance of using warning lines and/or control access zones for fall protection on roofs with a slope greater than 4:12. (2003-09-26)
- Fall protection requirements for employees, other than roofers, working on low-slope roofs (2002-11-15)
- Acceptable use of warning lines as fall protection for roofers and other trades. (2000-08-01)
- Fall protection non-conforming guardrail criteria for application of a de minimis policy. (2000-05-12)
- Guardrail height when used as fall protection for work surfaces with two elevations. (1999-02-01)
- Policy for descent control devices used in construction. (1998-11-09)
- Waist/chest strap as part of full body harness. (1998-03-06)
Related parts of this rule
- 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)(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
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.