1926.754(e)(3)(iv): Skylights Are Not Covers
Installed smoke dome or skylight fixtures are not considered covers unless they meet the strength requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(i).
Key takeaways
- 1926.754(e)(3)(iv) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $19,101 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.754(e) Metal decking (20 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.754(e)(3)(iv) is one requirement inside 1926.754 Structural steel assembly, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart R). 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
(iv) Smoke dome or skylight fixtures that have been installed, are not considered covers for the purpose of this section unless they meet the strength requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(i) of this section. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.754.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.754(e)(3)(iv).
At 9:00 a.m. on August 1, 2024, an employee was laying out his fall harness. Theemployee fell through an unmarked skylight onto concrete, suffering massive headand body trauma. The employee was killed.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.754(e) Metal decking 20 citations
- 1926.754(e)(2) Roof and floor holes and openings 7 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3) Covering roof and floor openings 6 citations
- 1926.754(e)(2)(ii) 3 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3)(i) 1 citations
- 1926.754(e)(3)(iii) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Does an installed skylight count as a cover?
Not unless it meets the strength requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(i).
Does this include smoke domes?
Yes, smoke dome or skylight fixtures.
Why does this matter?
A fixture that is not strong enough is not a cover.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.754 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-19
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.