Fall protection systems criteria and practices
29 CFR § 1926.502
29 CFR § 1926.502 is the federal OSHA standard governing fall protection systems criteria and practices, setting mandatory construction industry employer duties that compliance officers verify during workplace inspections and enforce through citations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall protection systems criteria and practices | 29 CFR § 1926.502 (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 § 1926.502(b)(1) | Guardrail top edge is 42 inches (plus or minus 3 inches) above the walking/working level | 42 in ± 3 in | High |
| 29 CFR § 1926.502(b)(3) | Guardrail systems withstand at least 200 pounds applied to the top edge | 200 lb | High |
| 29 CFR § 1926.502(d)(15) | Anchorages support at least 5,000 pounds per attached employee, or are designed and used under a qualified person | 5,000 lb per employee | Critical |
Instant Download: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) + Google Sheets Dual Format ($27)
Self-inspection workbook for 29 CFR § 1926.502 with Pass/Fail/N/A dropdowns and an automatic Audit Readiness Score.