1926.502(f)(2): Warning Line Construction
Warning lines must be rope, wire or chain flagged at least every 6 feet, hang no lower than 34 inches and no higher than 39 inches, sit on stanchions that resist a 16-pound push without tipping, and have a tensile strength of at least 500 pounds.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.502(f)(2)
(2) Warning lines shall consist of ropes, wires, or chains, and supporting stanchions erected as follows:
52 citations(i) The rope, wire, or chain shall be flagged at not more than 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals with high-visibility material;
Open (f)(2)(i) 13 citations(ii) The rope, wire, or chain shall be rigged and supported in such a way that its lowest point (including sag) is no less than 34 inches (.9 m) from the walking/working surface and its highest point is no more than 39 inches (1.0 m) from the walking/working surface;
Open (f)(2)(ii) 32 citations(iii) After being erected, with the rope, wire, or chain attached, stanchions shall be capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds (71 N) applied horizontally against the stanchion, 30 inches (.8 m) above the walking/working surface, perpendicular to the warning line, and in the direction of the floor, roof, or platform edge;
(iv) The rope, wire, or chain shall have a minimum tensile strength of 500 pounds (2.22 kN), and after being attached to the stanchions, shall be capable of supporting, without breaking, the loads applied to the stanchions as prescribed in paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section; and
Open (f)(2)(iv) 2 citations(v) The line shall be attached at each stanchion in such a way that pulling on one section of the line between stanchions will not result in slack being taken up in adjacent sections before the stanchion tips over.
1 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.
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Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: PA (13), MI (7), MD (5), OR (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RFX2023XRS480X0069 - SPRINGBROOK SGC, LLC | TEMPE, AZ | $8,930 |
| COLORADO MOISTURE CONTROL, INC. | DENVER, CO | $5,200 |
| WILSON ROOFING INC | BROOKSVILLE, FL | $4,965 |
| JOHNNY'S GENERAL CONSTRUCTION | EL PASO, TX | $4,702 |
| 317738272 - EVERGREEN ROOFING INC | MEDFORD, OR | $4,611 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification regarding hazard access zones in steel erection (2014-06-19)
- Acceptable equivalent to control lines for a Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ) in steel erection activities. 29 CFR 1926.760(c)(3). (2010-08-10)
- Use of a warning line instead of conventional fall protection; Part 1926 Subpart M (2005-01-03)
- Fall protection during roofing inspections, investigations, and assessments (2004-03-12)
- Clarification of several residential construction and fall protection issues. (2003-12-17)
- Fall protection requirements for construction workers doing work while on a roof (2003-12-15)
- Fall protection requirements for employees, other than roofers, working on low-slope roofs (2002-11-15)
- Fall protection requirements for both residential and commercial HVAC systems; clarification of confined spaces (2001-09-13)
- Fall protection non-conforming guardrail criteria for application of a de minimis policy. (2000-05-12)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.502(f) Warning line systems 207 citations
- 1926.502(f)(1) 150 citations
- 1926.502(f)(1)(i) 48 citations
- 1926.502(f)(1)(iii) 45 citations
- 1926.502(f)(2)(ii) 32 citations
- 1926.502(f)(2)(i) 13 citations
- 1926.502(f)(2)(iv) 2 citations
- 1926.502(f)(4)
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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.