1926.760(a)(1): Steel Erection Over 15 Feet
Except for connectors and workers in controlled decking zones, each steel erection employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet above a lower level must be protected by guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest, positioning device or fall restraint systems.
Key takeaways
- 1926.760(a)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 318 times in the last 3 years, in 315 inspections, with $1,658,607 in current penalties.
- 8 injury cases came from inspections that cited this rule, including 7 deaths.
- Most citations: TX (35), IL (22), PA (22).
- Related part: 1926.760(a) General requirements (318 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.760(a)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.760 Fall protection, 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
(1) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(3) of this section, each employee engaged in a steel erection activity who is on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge more than 15 feet (4.6 m) above a lower level shall be protected from fall hazards by guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, positioning device systems or fall restraint systems. 318 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.760.
Injuries linked to this rule
8 injury cases in the last 3 years came from inspections where OSHA cited 1926.760(a)(1), including 7 deaths.
At 12:00 p.m. on January 3, 2025, Employee #1 and coworkers had removed a large section of a metal roof to repair support structures, add insulation, and install new roofing material. After helping add a channel to the structure, Employee #1 climbed on the roof…
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 | 19 |
| 2024 | 123 |
| 2025 | 95 |
| 2026 | 81 |
Top states: TX (35), IL (22), PA (22), MI (21), SD (20)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JUAN CORDONA | HARRISBURG, PA | $109,236 |
| EL DORADO STEEL ERECTORS, LLC. | BIDDEFORD, ME | $66,206 |
| UNITED STRUCTURAL METAL FABRICATION, LLC | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $64,529 |
| A.W. STILES CONTRACTORS INC. | SMYRNA, NY | $45,168 |
| LEGEND FRAMING GROUP LLC | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $35,488 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.760(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether an employer can use a controlled access zone during curtain wall installation. (2010-03-02)
- Evaluation if moving point-to-point on concrete wall to make initial connections of structural steel is "connecting" work; landing loads on systems-engineered metal building. (2005-04-05)
- Use of fall protection by deaf employees performing steel erection activities. (2004-08-03)
- Permissibility of using guardrail systems other than perimeter safety cables in steel erection. (2003-07-21)
- OSHA standards set minimum safety and health requirements;they do not prohibit employers from adopting more stringent requirements. (2003-04-09)
- New Fall Protection standards and standards for scaffolds used during dry wall work (1995-03-13)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.760(a) General requirements 318 citations
- 1926.760(a)(2) Perimeter safety cables
- 1926.760(a)(3)
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Frequently asked questions
At what height is fall protection required in steel erection?
More than 15 feet (4.6 m) above a lower level.
Who is excepted?
Connectors and employees working in controlled decking zones, who are covered by other paragraphs.
Which systems can be used?
Guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest, positioning device or fall restraint systems.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.760 (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.