Duty to have fall protection
29 CFR § 1926.501
29 CFR § 1926.501 is the federal OSHA standard governing duty to have fall protection, setting mandatory construction industry employer duties that compliance officers verify during workplace inspections and enforce through citations and abatement orders under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Employers should document hazard assessments, training and inspections so each requirement can be demonstrated on request.
Statutory Comparison
| Requirement | Baseline Fed Code | State Rule | Enforced Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty to have fall protection | 29 CFR § 1926.501 (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart M) | Not applicable: federal baseline. | See key audit items below and the full regulatory text. |
Key Audit Items
| Citation | Audit condition | Metric | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 CFR § 1926.501(b)(1) | Employees at an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level are protected by guardrail, safety net or personal fall arrest | 6 feet | Critical |
| 29 CFR § 1926.501(b)(4) | Holes are covered or guarded against falls through and against objects falling | Covers or guardrails on all holes | Critical |
| 29 CFR § 1926.501(b)(10) | Roofing work on low-slope roofs uses an approved fall protection method | 6 feet | Critical |
Instant Download: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) + Google Sheets Dual Format ($27)
Self-inspection workbook for 29 CFR § 1926.501 with Pass/Fail/N/A dropdowns and an automatic Audit Readiness Score.