1926.502(d)(20): Rescue After a Fall
The employer must provide for prompt rescue of workers after a fall, or make sure workers can rescue themselves.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(20)
(20) The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.
5 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
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Injuries linked to this rule
1 injury case in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(d)(20), including 1 death.
At 5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2024, Employee #1 was working for a highway/street construction contractor. Employee #1 was using a portable grinder to cut a hanger on a pipe attached to the bottom of the bridge. It appears that when the hanger was cut…
Where and how often it was cited
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(d) Personal fall arrest systems 2,011 citations
- 1926.502(d)(17) 560 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
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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.