1926.502(d)(17): Harness D-Ring Location
A body harness attachment point must be in the center of the back near shoulder level, or above the head. A body belt's attachment point goes in the center of the back.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(17)
(17) The attachment point of the body belt shall be located in the center of the wearer's back. The attachment point of the body harness shall be located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder level, or above the wearer's head.
560 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
Free toolbox talk for this rule
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(d)(17), 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(d)(17), including 4 deaths.
At 12:00 p.m. on August 14, 2024, Employee #1 was removing shingles from the roof while utilizing fall protection, wearing a harness attached to a rope lanyard. While leaning away from the roof, the rope lanyard detached from its binding, causing Employee #1 to lose…
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 | 33 |
| 2024 | 184 |
| 2025 | 239 |
| 2026 | 104 |
Top states: MD (170), IL (100), MA (58), WI (39), GA (26)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHACON ROOFING, LLC | EAST HAVEN, CT | $33,103 |
| NORTHEAST ROOFING PROS | ARCHBALD, PA | $30,420 |
| NOE MEMBRENO MELENDEZ | EASTON, MD | $17,500 |
| NOE MEMBRENO MELENDEZ | DENTON, MD | $17,500 |
| MK1 CONSTRUCTION, LLC | DENVER, CO | $16,550 |
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems 2,011 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15) 507 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16) 326 citations
- 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) 277 citations
- 1926.502(d)(21) 136 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6) 128 citations
- 1926.502(d)(6)(i) 111 citations
- 1926.502(d)(15)(ii) 55 citations
- 1926.502(d)(11) 44 citations
- 1926.502(d)(8) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(1) 17 citations
- 1926.502(d)(9) 14 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
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.