1926.503(a)(2): What Fall Protection Training Must Cover
A competent person must train workers, as needed, on: fall hazards in the work area; setting up, maintaining, taking down and inspecting fall protection; using guardrails, fall arrest, nets, warning lines, monitors and access zones; their role in safety monitoring and fall protection plans; mechanical equipment limits on low-slope roofs; material handling and overhead protection; and the Subpart M standards.
Official text: 29 CFR 1926.503(a)(2)
(2) The employer shall assure that each employee has been trained, as necessary, by a competent person qualified in the following areas:
368 citations(i) The nature of fall hazards in the work area;
9 citations(ii) The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be used;
Open (a)(2)(ii) 52 citations(iii) The use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, safety net systems, warning line systems, safety monitoring systems, controlled access zones, and other protection to be used;
Open (a)(2)(iii) 51 citations(iv) The role of each employee in the safety monitoring system when this system is used;
Open (a)(2)(iv) 4 citations(v) The limitations on the use of mechanical equipment during the performance of roofing work on low-sloped roofs;
1 citations(vi) The correct procedures for the handling and storage of equipment and materials and the erection of overhead protection; and
1 citations(viii) The standards contained in this subpart.
4 citationsSource: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.503.
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.503(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
Injuries linked to this rule
10 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.503(a)(2), including 10 deaths.
An employee was carrying metal panel siding to a balcony for installation. The employee lost his step and fell approximately 10 feet to the next balcony, resulting in fatal head injuries.
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 | 36 |
| 2024 | 142 |
| 2025 | 125 |
| 2026 | 65 |
Top states: NJ (78), NY (37), FL (19), WI (19), PA (17)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DIAMOND CONTRACTORS GROUP CORPORATION | LONG BEACH, NJ | $54,615 |
| EASY WORK CONTRACTORS CORP | LONG BEACH, NJ | $29,790 |
| EASY WORK CONTRACTORS CORP | HARVEY CEDARS, NJ | $29,790 |
| GOLDLINE CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | HOWELL, NJ | $21,281 |
| FORTEX CONTRACTORS CORPORATION | SICKLERVILLE, NJ | $21,281 |
OSHA interpretation letters
- Gate Strength of Snaphooks and Carabiners (2017-08-31)
- NATE Response FINAL (2017-08-18)
- Clarification on several issues regarding OSHA's construction industry standards for fall protection (2003-12-18)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.503(a) Training program 5,491 citations
- 1926.503(a)(1) 5,123 citations
- 1926.503(a)(2)(ii) 52 citations
- 1926.503(a)(2)(iii) 51 citations
- 1926.503(a)(2)(vii) 5 citations
- 1926.503(a)(2)(iv) 4 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.