1926.501 Fall Protection: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This standard identifies where construction employers must provide fall protection, generally whenever workers are on walking or working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level. It covers leading edges, holes, roofs, excavations, wall openings, and residential construction, and permits guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. It is consistently OSHA's most frequently cited standard.
What the standard requires
- Protect workers at 6 feet or more above a lower level
- Cover or guard holes, including skylights
- Provide fall protection on low-slope and steep roofs
- Use conventional fall protection in residential construction or a qualifying alternative plan
- Protect workers from falling objects
Hazards it addresses
- Fatal falls from roofs and edges
- Falls through holes and skylights
- Workers below struck by falling objects
The most cited standard overall, especially in roofing, framing, and residential construction.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.501(b)(13) | Employees doing residential construction 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection or an alternative plan. | 3,733 | 3,732 | $3,972 |
| 1926.501(b)(1) | Workers on surfaces with unprotected sides or edges 6 feet or more above a lower level must be protected. | 729 | 726 | $3,618 |
| 1926.501(b)(10) | Employees on low-slope roofs must be protected by guardrails, nets, personal fall arrest, or permitted combinations. | 513 | 513 | $3,405 |
| 1926.501(b)(11) | Employees on steep roofs must be protected by guardrails with toeboards, safety nets, or personal fall arrest. | 358 | 358 | $3,405 |
| 1926.501(b)(4)(ii) | Employees must be protected from falling through holes, including skylights, more than 6 feet above lower levels. | 192 | 192 | $300 |
| 1926.501(b)(4)(i) | Employees must be protected from falling through holes, including skylights, more than 6 feet above lower levels. | 157 | 157 | $3,972 |
| 1926.501(b)(14) | Employees near wall openings with an outside bottom edge 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected. | 80 | 80 | $2,100 |
| 1926.501(b)(15) | 44 | 44 | $2,050 | |
| 1926.501(a)(2) | 34 | 33 | $4,468 | |
| 1926.501(b)(2)(i) | 23 | 23 | $3,972 | |
| 1926.501(c)(1) | 13 | 13 | $600 | |
| 1926.501(b)(3) | 10 | 10 | $4,468 | |
| 1926.501(b)(5) | 6 | 6 | $9,268 | |
| 1926.501(c) | 6 | 6 | $1,520 | |
| 1926.501(b)(2)(ii) | 5 | 5 | $2,837 |
Penalties
Across 5,925 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $38,122,493 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $32,302,589, 15% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 78%; Repeat 16%; Other-than-serious 4%; Willful 2%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 522 | 528 | $4,526,541 | $3,964,762 |
| Illinois | 410 | 428 | $4,409,980 | $3,486,459 |
| Texas | 347 | 353 | $1,956,155 | $1,618,336 |
| Michigan | 342 | 370 | $465,950 | $367,105 |
| Maryland | 335 | 375 | $868,431 | $787,209 |
| New Jersey | 326 | 329 | $3,688,536 | $3,266,532 |
| North Carolina | 310 | 323 | $1,274,830 | $1,174,925 |
| Georgia | 306 | 309 | $1,482,068 | $1,337,786 |
| Ohio | 291 | 294 | $2,605,408 | $2,088,958 |
| Virginia | 243 | 282 | $1,540,584 | $1,397,050 |
| New York | 229 | 241 | $1,703,629 | $1,367,848 |
| Alabama | 200 | 200 | $861,026 | $794,415 |
| Massachusetts | 175 | 181 | $1,529,340 | $1,121,707 |
| Pennsylvania | 163 | 167 | $1,094,738 | $968,300 |
| Wisconsin | 158 | 161 | $1,705,755 | $1,496,557 |
| Missouri | 124 | 127 | $871,385 | $747,437 |
| Colorado | 110 | 110 | $663,602 | $566,999 |
| Tennessee | 108 | 116 | $304,450 | $295,460 |
| Minnesota | 97 | 106 | $418,368 | $395,598 |
| Oklahoma | 68 | 68 | $398,612 | $313,459 |
By industry
- Construction: 5,580 inspections
- Manufacturing: 28 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 18 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 13 inspections
- Utilities: 12 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 7 inspections
- Other services: 6 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abe Yoder Roofing, LLC | Independence, OH | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Christopher Abeel Construction | Corfu, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $1,929 | $1,929 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Brady Electric, Inc. | Williamsville, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $3,587 | $2,000 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Strong Hands Construction, LLC | Williamsville, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $2,412 | $2,412 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| DRB Group Colorado, LLC | Westminster, CO | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $8,276 | $8,276 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| A. A. Electric Co., Inc. | Baltimore, MD | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Custom Quality Plumbing & Heating, Inc. | Baltimore, MD | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Hasheider Roofing & Siding, Ltd. | Madison, WI | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $11,916 | $11,916 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Herrera Roofing Contractors LLC | Richardson, TX | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $2,383 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Hopkins & Wayson, Inc. | Baltimore, MD | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| AST Construction, Inc. | Westminster, CO | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $2,483 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| EPT Construction LLC | Linwood, NC | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $3,310 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| New City Landscape LLC | Washington, DC | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $3,618 | $3,618 | OpenAbatement due Sep 9, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Anna, TX | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $5,958 | OpenAbatement due Sep 25, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Carrollton, GA | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $1,702 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Land-Ron, Inc. | Newport, RI | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $4,220 | $2,954 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Haslet, TX | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $1,703 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Polivio Construction Inc. | Chicago, IL | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Sep 25, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| F & F Roofing Co., Inc. | Commack, NY | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 11, 2026Contested Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aziel Construction LLC | Rangely, CO | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $3,972 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dan Waibel Designer Builder, LLC | Peoria, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $9,268 | $4,634 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Ellicott City, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,350 | $3,350 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Reyes Roofing & Siding LLC | Frankford, DE | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $4,256 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Harris Roofing, LLC | Anchorage, AK | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,376 | $3,376 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Smithsburg, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Soriano Siding, LLC | Perry Hall, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $1,350 | $1,350 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| D Santos Construction, LLC | Philadelphia, PA | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $1,986 | OpenAbatement due Oct 16, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Hinsdale, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | OpenAbatement due Sep 28, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| JWC Specialties, Inc. | Madison, TN | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Cypress, TX | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $9,930 | $9,930 | OpenAbatement due Sep 9, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Holly Springs, NC | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D.a.b. Contractors LLC | Aurora, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $1,490 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aaron's Carpentry LLC | Downers Grove, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $11,916 | $5,965 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Huxtable Electric Inc. | Edgefield, SC | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,200 | $4,200 | OpenAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D.a.b. Contractors LLC | Aurora, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $1,490 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Wormley Brothers Enterprises, Inc. | Fairburn, GA | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $2,837 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Melendez Quality Roofing LLC | Wilmington, NC | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $3,310 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jim Neece Construction LLC | Glade Spring, VA | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $690 | $690 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Abingdon, VA | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $690 | $690 | OpenAbatement due Nov 5, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Coco Construction LLC | Nashville, TN | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (1916 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (1711 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (1362 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (638 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (467 shared inspections)
- 1926.451 Scaffold Safety (331 shared inspections)
- 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems (309 shared inspections)
- 1903.19 Abatement Verification (287 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.501 require?
This standard identifies where construction employers must provide fall protection, generally whenever workers are on walking or working surfaces with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level. It covers leading edges, holes, roofs, excavations, wall openings, and residential construction, and permits guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. It is consistently OSHA's most frequently cited standard.
How often was 1926.501 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.501 (Fall Protection) appeared in 5,687 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 5,925 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.501 is cited most?
1926.501(b)(13) was the most-cited paragraph, with 3,733 items: Employees doing residential construction 6 feet or more above lower levels must be protected by conventional fall protection or an alternative plan.
Which states cite 1926.501 most often?
The most citations under 1926.501 in this period were issued in Florida, Illinois, Texas.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.501 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $3,972; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $3,015. Totals: $38,122,493 proposed, $32,302,589 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.501 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 6% 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.