1910.140 Personal Fall Protection: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Sets design, performance, and use criteria for personal fall arrest, travel restraint, and positioning systems used in general industry. Components such as harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and anchorages must meet strength requirements, and anchorages for fall arrest must support 5,000 pounds per employee or be designed by a qualified person with a safety factor of two. Systems must be inspected before each use, removed from service after a fall, and rigged to limit free fall distance and prevent contact with lower levels. Prompt rescue must be provided.
What the standard requires
- Inspect personal fall protection systems before initial use in each work shift
- Remove equipment from service after it arrests a fall until inspected
- Use anchorages capable of supporting required loads
- Limit free fall distance and prevent contact with lower levels
- Provide for prompt rescue of employees after a fall
Hazards it addresses
- Falls from heights
- Suspension trauma after a fall
- Equipment failure from damaged lanyards or harnesses
Cited where workers use harnesses, including telecommunications, maintenance, and elevated work in manufacturing.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.140(c)(18) | Personal fall protection systems inspected before initial use during each work shift | 22 | 22 | $0 |
| 1910.140(d)(2)(ii) | 9 | 9 | $2,800 | |
| 1910.140(c)(13)(i) | 4 | 4 | $2,482 | |
| 1910.140(c)(13)(ii) | 4 | 4 | $3,419 | |
| 1910.140(c)(20) | 4 | 4 | $4,965 | |
| 1910.140(c)(11)(i) | 3 | 3 | $4,200 | |
| 1910.140(c)(16) | 3 | 3 | $0 | |
| 1910.140(d)(3) | 3 | 3 | $5,400 | |
| 1910.140(c)(17) | 2 | 2 | $11,556 | |
| 1910.140(c)(6) | 2 | 2 | $10,048 | |
| 1910.140(c)(10)(v) | 1 | 1 | $2,412 | |
| 1910.140(c)(12) | 1 | 1 | $11,916 | |
| 1910.140(c)(19) | 1 | 1 | $13,240 | |
| 1910.140(c)(22) | 1 | 1 | $2,118 |
Penalties
Across 60 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $284,039 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $218,824, 23% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 80%; Other-than-serious 17%; Repeat 3%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 7 | 9 | $25,255 | $19,155 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 3 | $18,395 | $11,772 |
| Nevada | 3 | 4 | $28,906 | $14,453 |
| Texas | 3 | 4 | $23,170 | $6,951 |
| Virginia | 3 | 3 | $22,322 | $19,305 |
| Arizona | 2 | 2 | $2,838 | $2,838 |
| Connecticut | 2 | 2 | $300 | $180 |
| Georgia | 2 | 3 | $29,794 | $29,794 |
| Illinois | 2 | 2 | $2,838 | $1,987 |
| Nebraska | 2 | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| New York | 2 | 3 | $16,881 | $14,916 |
| Oregon | 2 | 2 | $4,304 | $4,304 |
| Tennessee | 2 | 2 | $8,200 | $8,200 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 3 | $0 | $5,792 |
| California | 1 | 1 | $14,068 | $9,848 |
| Delaware | 1 | 1 | $9,931 | $9,931 |
| Hawaii | 1 | 2 | $5,627 | $3,939 |
| Iowa | 1 | 1 | $14,068 | $7,034 |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | $4,200 | $4,200 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 13 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 10 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 7 inspections
- Construction: 6 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 3 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 3 inspections
- Arts, entertainment & recreation: 2 inspections
- Mining, oil & gas: 2 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brenntag Great Lakes, LLC | Des Moines, IA | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $14,068 | $7,034 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Western Sugar Cooperative, Corporation | Scottsbluff, NE | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 18, 2026Contested Sep 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jobs Building Services, LLC | Houston, TX | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| DDP Group, Inc. | Middletown, DE | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $9,931 | $9,931 | OpenAbatement due Aug 18, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 13, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Elkhart Plastics | Middlebury, IN | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Scotland | Scotland, CT | Jul 20, 2026 | 1 | $300 | $180 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Wingate by Wyndham Hotel | Vineland, NJ | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 12, 2026Contested Aug 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| United Fishing Agency Ltd. | Honolulu, HI | Jul 16, 2026 | 2 | $5,627 | $3,939 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Village of Atkinson - Public Works Dept | Atkinson, IL | Jul 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Cousineau Auto, Inc. | Weston, WI | Jul 14, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $5,792 | OpenAbatement due Aug 11, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 4, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| The Patane Group | Landover, MD | Jul 14, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Formal settlementContested Jul 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Source Broadband Services, LLC | Old Hickory, TN | Jun 25, 2026 | 1 | $2,800 | $2,800 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Exactdistribution LLC | Marietta, GA | May 21, 2026 | 2 | $29,794 | $29,794 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Department of Health and Human Services | Bangor, ME | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Belknap Landscape, LLC | Wolfeboro, NH | May 11, 2026 | 1 | $11,916 | $3,200 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Forest Investments, LLC dba Mount Lemmon Lodge | Mount Lemmon, AZ | Apr 30, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | Final orderAbatement due May 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| R&M Completions, Inc. | Rankin, TX | Apr 29, 2026 | 2 | $9,930 | $6,951 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aztec Well Servicing | Blanco, NM | Apr 22, 2026 | 1 | $16,554 | $16,554 | OpenAbatement due May 18, 2026Contest deadline ~May 13, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Northern Tree Service, Inc. | Cambridge, MA | Apr 21, 2026 | 1 | $9,458 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lazo Construction Corp. | Chelmsford, MA | Apr 17, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final order | osha.gov |
| R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Grove City, OH | Apr 9, 2026 | 1 | $1,328 | $930 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mark Prince LLC | New York, NY | Apr 7, 2026 | 2 | $11,916 | $11,916 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 14, 2026Contested Jun 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Alstart Enterprises, LLC | Canfield, OH | Mar 24, 2026 | 1 | $2,412 | $1,675 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| City Home LLC | Tigard, OR | Mar 24, 2026 | 1 | $2,186 | $2,186 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Worthington Steel Company, LLC | Valley City, OH | Mar 23, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Starflo Corporation | Orangeburg, SC | Mar 19, 2026 | 1 | $375 | $375 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Metalrays LLC | Romeoville, IL | Mar 18, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $1,987 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Saunders Towing & Recovery LLC | Laura, OH | Mar 18, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Blue Bird Body Company | Delaware, OH | Mar 6, 2026 | 2 | $16,550 | $16,550 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Northern Nevada 3PL, LLC | Fernley, NV | Mar 4, 2026 | 1 | $8,276 | $4,138 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| OVG Facilities, LLC | Savannah, GA | Mar 2, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Montrose Air Quality Services, LLC | Belton, TX | Feb 19, 2026 | 1 | $13,240 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dept of Defense - Aafes | Tucson, AZ | Feb 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| ALZ Landscaping and Tree Service, Inc. | Sudbury, MA | Feb 9, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,800 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Logo Brands, Inc. | Spring Hill, TN | Feb 5, 2026 | 1 | $5,400 | $5,400 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Abcon Automation, Inc. | Harrison, OH | Feb 4, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Delta Star, Inc. dba Delta Star East | Lynchburg, VA | Feb 2, 2026 | 1 | $16,287 | $16,287 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| East Coast Appliance Sales, Service, and Parts Inc. | North Chesterfield, VA | Jan 23, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Mar 12, 2026Contested Feb 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dynamic Fitness & Strength, LLC | Eau Claire, WI | Jan 16, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Fluid Energy Processing and Equipment Company | Hatfield, PA | Jan 14, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.178 Forklifts (15 shared inspections)
- 1910.30 Fall Hazard Training (15 shared inspections)
- 1910.132 PPE General Requirements (10 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (9 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (9 shared inspections)
- 1910.303 Electrical General (9 shared inspections)
- 1910.212 Machine Guarding (7 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (6 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.140 require?
Sets design, performance, and use criteria for personal fall arrest, travel restraint, and positioning systems used in general industry. Components such as harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and anchorages must meet strength requirements, and anchorages for fall arrest must support 5,000 pounds per employee or be designed by a qualified person with a safety factor of two. Systems must be inspected before each use, removed from service after a fall, and rigged to limit free fall distance and prevent contact with lower levels. Prompt rescue must be provided.
How often was 1910.140 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.140 (Personal Fall Protection) appeared in 51 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 60 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.140 is cited most?
1910.140(c)(18) was the most-cited paragraph, with 22 items: Personal fall protection systems inspected before initial use during each work shift
Which states cite 1910.140 most often?
The most citations under 1910.140 in this period were issued in Ohio, Massachusetts, Nevada.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.140 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $2,819; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,152. Totals: $284,039 proposed, $218,824 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.140 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 13% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.