29 CFR 1926 · Construction · Subpart M

1926.502(k)(7): Mark Plan Locations as Controlled Access Zones

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated November 7, 2026 3 min read

Controlled access zone: control line 6 to 25 feet from the leading edge
Controlled access zones and control lines. Not to scale; the official text controls.
In plain words:

The plan must identify every location where conventional fall protection cannot be used, and each of those locations must be set up as a controlled access zone under 1926.502(g).

Key takeaways

  • 1926.502(k)(7) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M).
  • OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $16,259 in current penalties.
  • Related part: 1926.502(k) Fall protection plan (21 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.

Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1926.502(k)(7) ↓

4citations, 3 years
$16,259current penalties
4inspections
0linked injury cases
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Where and how often it was cited
  4. Free toolbox talk
  5. OSHA interpretation letters
  6. Related parts of this rule
  7. Get your crew competent
  8. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1926.502(k)(7) is one requirement inside 1926.502 Fall protection systems criteria and practices, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart M). 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

(7) The fall protection plan shall identify each location where conventional fall protection methods cannot be used. These locations shall then be classified as controlled access zones and the employer must comply with the criteria in paragraph (g) of this section. 4 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.502.

See every company cited for this rule.

Export the list: 4 inspections cited 1926.502(k)(7) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.

Purple Belt, $59/mo

Where and how often it was cited

Free toolbox talk

A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.502(k)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.




OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.502(k)(7).

Related parts of this rule

Get your crew competent

Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey

Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

Scroll to top