1926.502(d)(21): Inspect Before Each Use
Personal fall arrest systems must be inspected before each use for wear, damage and deterioration, and defective parts must be removed from service.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(d)(21)
(21) Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service.
136 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
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Injuries linked to this rule
2 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.502(d)(21), including 2 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 | 9 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 50 |
| 2026 | 42 |
Top states: VA (17), IL (10), PA (9), OR (7), OH (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MK1 CONSTRUCTION, LLC | DENVER, CO | $16,550 |
| J.S ALDO'S CONSTRUCTION CO, INC. | MAYWOOD, NJ | $16,550 |
| ROAD CONTRACTOR CORP | MIDDLETOWN, DE | $12,676 |
| BONILLA CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | WEST CHESTER, OH | $12,421 |
| MCCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $10,592 |
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)(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
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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.