1926.502(d)(16): Fall Arrest Performance Limits
When stopping a fall, a personal fall arrest system must limit arresting force to 1,800 pounds with a harness, limit free fall to 6 feet without hitting a lower level, stop the worker within 3.5 feet of deceleration, and be strong enough for twice the impact energy. Appendix C criteria cover workers under 310 pounds with tools.
Key takeaways
- 1926.502(d)(16) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 322 times in the last 3 years, in 315 inspections, with $1,264,833 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OR (46), NJ (29), VA (27).
- 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)(16) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). It includes 5 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
(16) Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall: 322 citations
(i) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 kN) when used with a body belt;
(ii) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN) when used with a body harness; 5 citations
(iii) be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level; Open (d)(16)(iii) 274 citations
(iv) bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 m); and, Open (d)(16)(iv) 7 citations
(v) have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less. Open (d)(16)(v) 2 citations
If the personal fall arrest system meets the criteria and protocols contained in appendix C to subpart M, and if the system is being used by an employee having a combined person and tool weight of less than 310 pounds (140 kg), the system will be considered to be in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (d)(16) of this section. If the system is used by an employee having a combined tool and body weight of 310 pounds (140 kg) or more, then the employer must appropriately modify the criteria and protocols of the appendix to provide proper protection for such heavier weights, or the system will not be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraph (d)(16) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Export the list: 315 inspections cited 1926.502(d)(16) 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)(16).
At approximately 10:54 a.m. on November 6, 2024, three employees were working onthe roof of a metal wind tunnel about 23 feet above the ground and 19 feet abovethe tunnel floor, using a welder and a Genie Z80/60 aerial lift to remove sections. While cutting…
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 | 13 |
| 2024 | 114 |
| 2025 | 121 |
| 2026 | 74 |
Top states: OR (46), NJ (29), VA (27), IL (21), TN (18)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLEARY BUILDING CORPORATION | FARGO, ND | $80,655 |
| 69070 - BONE DRY ROOFING INC | WILLIAMSTOWN, KY | $70,000 |
| 317741700 - TORO'S GENERAL CONSTRUCTION LLC | HAPPY VALLEY, OR | $63,234 |
| 317741414 - BUILDING ENVELOPE SYSTEM TECHS LLC | EUGENE, OR | $39,696 |
| TACTICAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC | ENFIELD, CT | $29,790 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(d)(16).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems 1,999 citations
- 1926.502(d)(17) 558 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15) 509 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.