Fall Protection — General Requirements (29 CFR 1926.501)
Fall protection has been the #1 most cited OSHA standard in construction for over 15 consecutive years. 29 CFR 1926.501 requires fall protection for workers exposed to falls of 6 feet or more on construction sites.
What 29 CFR 1926.501 Requires
- Fall protection systems required at 6 feet or above on construction sites
- Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems must be used
- Floor openings and holes must be covered or guarded
- Leading edge work requires a site-specific fall protection plan when conventional protection is infeasible
- Written fall protection plan required when conventional methods are infeasible (29 CFR 1926.502(k))
- Fall protection training required before exposure to fall hazards (29 CFR 1926.503)
Most Common Violations
Fall protection violations account for more OSHA citations than any other standard in construction. These are the specific violations inspectors cite most frequently:
- Workers at heights of 6+ feet without fall protection systems in place
- Unguarded floor openings, holes, or roof edges
- Inadequate or improperly anchored personal fall arrest systems
- Missing or incomplete fall protection training documentation
- No written fall protection plan for leading edge work
- Guardrails not meeting height requirements (42 inches, +/- 3 inches)
Penalty Exposure
Penalty range: $1,190–$16,550 per serious violation; up to $165,514 per willful violation
A single fall protection citation classified as serious carries a penalty up to $16,550 in 2026. If the same hazard exposes multiple workers, OSHA may issue per-instance citations — multiplying the penalty for each worker affected. Willful fall protection violations (e.g., no fall protection program despite known hazards) can reach $165,514 per violation.
Documentation directly affects violation classification. A contractor with a written fall protection plan, current training records, and equipment inspection logs is far more likely to receive a serious classification (with potential reductions) than one with no documentation — which risks a willful classification at 10x the penalty.
Documentation You Need
Having the right documentation is your primary defense during an inspection. Fall protection documentation requirements are extensive because Subpart M is the most cited standard:
- Written fall protection plan (when using alternative methods)
- Training records with employee names, dates, and trainer signatures (29 CFR 1926.503(b))
- Equipment inspection records for harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points
- Competent person designation for fall protection
- Daily site inspection records noting fall hazards and controls in place
- Retraining documentation when conditions change or deficiencies are observed
What Inspectors Look For
During a construction site inspection, fall protection is evaluated both visually (during the walkaround) and through document review. Here is what inspectors specifically examine:
- Workers at any elevation above 6 feet — this is the first visual check
- Condition and inspection tags on personal fall arrest equipment
- Training certifications for every worker exposed to fall hazards
- Written fall protection plan if conventional methods are not being used
- Competent person on site who can identify fall hazards
- Guardrail height, strength, and mid-rail compliance
Close the #1 Documentation Gap in Construction
The OSHA Defense Documentation System includes fall protection training record templates, equipment inspection logs, and a fall-protection-specific section in the 60-item pre-inspection checklist covering every documentation requirement under Subpart M.
Check My Documentation Readiness