1926.502(d)(15): Anchorage Strength: 5,000 Pounds
Fall arrest anchorages must be independent of anchorages that support or suspend platforms and hold at least 5,000 pounds per worker attached, or be designed as part of a complete system with a safety factor of at least two under a qualified person's supervision.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(d)(15) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 509 times in the last 3 years, in 502 inspections, with $1,403,774 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (91), MD (62), MA (42).
- Related part: 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems (1,999 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.502(d)(15) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. 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
(15) Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as follows: 509 citations
(i) as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two; and Open (d)(15)(i) 11 citations
(ii) under the supervision of a qualified person. Open (d)(15)(ii) 57 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 502 inspections cited 1926.502(d)(15) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
8 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(d)(15).
An employee was carrying metal panel siding to a balcony for installation. The employee lost his step and fell approximately 10 feet to the next balcony, resulting in fatal head injuries.
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 | 15 |
| 2024 | 170 |
| 2025 | 197 |
| 2026 | 127 |
Top states: IL (91), MD (62), MA (42), OR (36), NY (26)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BCG GLASS INDUSTRY INC. | FLUSHING, NY | $115,860 |
| GREATER BOSTON ROOFING CORP | WESTFORD, MA | $32,262 |
| AMERICAN WAY G & R CONSTRUCTION INC. | WOONSOCKET, RI | $22,697 |
| SCHINDLER ELEVATOR CORPORATION | LOUDONVILLE, NY | $16,550 |
| LITHKO CONTRACTING, LLC | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $16,550 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(d)(15), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(d)(15).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems 1,999 citations
- 1926.502(d)(17) 558 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16) 322 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) 274 citations
- 1926.502(d)(21) 137 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6) 126 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6)(i) 109 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15)(ii) 57 citations
- 1926.502(d)(11) 44 citations
- 1926.502(d)(8) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(1) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6)(ii) 13 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.