Subpart D - Walking and Working Surfaces
Subpart D provides the requirements for ladders, step bolts, manhole steps, scaffolds, stairways, dockboards, rope descent systems, and other walking and working surfaces. It also includes requirements for fall protection, fall protection systems, and falling object protection.
Walking-working surface means any horizontal or vertical surface on or through which an employee walks, works, or gains access to a work area or workplace location.
To learn if subpart D applies to you, go to Does "Subpart D - Walking-Working Surfaces" Apply to You?
Special Requirements
Scope: This standard provides general requirements for walking and working surfaces including housekeeping, floor loading, and access and egress.
Special Requirements: Inspections, qualified person, maximum intended load, supervises, maintained, maintenance, repaired
- 1910.22(d)(1) - Walking-working surfaces are inspected, regularly and as necessary, and maintained in a safe condition.
1910.22(d)(2) - Hazardous conditions on walking-working surfaces are corrected or repaired before an employee uses the walking-working surface again. If the correction or repair cannot be made immediately, the hazard must be guarded to prevent employees from using the walking-working surface until the hazard is corrected or repaired.
- 1910.22(d)(3) - When any correction or repair involves the structural integrity of the walking-working surface, a qualified person performs or supervises the correction or repair.
Qualified describes a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
Scope: This standard provides general requirements for ladders including portable and fixed ladders, mobile ladder stands and platforms. This section covers all ladders, except when the ladder is: used in emergency operations such as firefighting, rescue, and tactical law enforcement operations, or training for these operations; or designed into or is an integral part of machines or equipment.
Special Requirements: Inspections, tagged, intended load, maintenance/repair, employer demonstrates, references other standards
1910.23(b)(9) - Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury.
1910.23(b)(10) - Any ladder with structural or other defects is immediately tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or with similar language in accordance with 1910.145 - Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags, and removed from service until repaired in accordance with 1910.22(d) - Inspection, maintenance and repair, or replaced.
1910.23(c)(3) - Ladders are not loaded beyond the maximum intended load. Note to paragraph (c)(3): The maximum intended load, as defined in 1910.21(b), includes the total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment, and materials being carried.
1910.23(d)(1) - Fixed ladders are capable of supporting their maximum intended load. Note: 1910.28 - Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection, establishes the employer's duty to provide fall protection for employees on fixed ladders, and 1910.29 - fall protection systems and falling object protection - criteria and practices, specifies the criteria for fall protection systems for fixed ladders.
1910.23(e)(1)(iii) - Mobile ladder stands and platforms are capable of supporting at least four times their maximum intended load.
1910.23(e)(1)(iv) - Wheels or casters under load are capable of supporting their proportional share of four times the maximum intended load, plus their proportional share of the unit's weight.
Scope: This standard provides requirements for step bolts and manhole steps.
Manhole steps means steps that are individually attached to, or set into, the wall of a manhole structure.
Step bolt (pole step) means a bolt or rung attached at intervals along a structural member used for foot placement and as a handhold when climbing or standing.
Special Requirements: Inspections, design, demonstrates, maintained, intended load, references other standards
1910.24(a)(2) - Each step bolt is designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent the employee's foot from slipping off the end of the step bolt.
1910.24(a)(5) - The minimum perpendicular distance between the centerline of each step bolt to the nearest permanent object in back of the step bolt is 7 inches (18 cm). When the employer demonstrates that an obstruction cannot be avoided, the distance must be at least 4.5 inches (11 cm);
1910.24(a)(6) - Each step bolt installed before January 17, 2017 is capable of supporting its maximum intended load.
1910.24(a)(8) - Each step bolt is inspected at the start of the workshift and maintained in accordance with 1910.22 - General requirements.
1910.24(b)(1) - The employer must ensure that each manhole step is capable of supporting its maximum intended load.
1910.24(b)(2)(vi) - Manhole steps. Is designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent the employee's foot from slipping or sliding off the end.
1910.24(b)(3) - The employer must ensure that each manhole step is inspected at the start of the work shift and maintained in accordance with 1910.22 - General requirements.
Scope: This standard covers all stairways (including standard, spiral, ship, and alternating tread-type stairs), except for articulated stairs (stairs that change pitch due to change in height at the point of attachment) such as those serving floating roof tanks, stairs on scaffolds, stairs designed into machines or equipment, and stairs on self-propelled motorized equipment.
Special Requirements: Manufacturer instructions, maintained, employer demonstrates, references other standards
1910.25(b)(1) - Handrails, stair rail systems, and guardrail systems are provided in accordance with 1910.28 - duty to have fall protection and falling object protection.
1910.25(b)(8) - Spiral, ship, or alternating tread-type stairs are used only when the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to provide standard stairs.
1910.25(b)(9) - When paragraph (b)(8) of this section allows the use of spiral, ship, or alternating tread-type stairs, they are installed, used, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Scope: This standard provides the requirements for dockboards.
Dockboard means a portable or fixed device that spans a gap or compensates for a difference in elevation between a loading platform and a transport vehicle. Dockboards include, but are not limited to, bridge plates, dock plates, and dock levelers.
Special Requirements: Employer demonstrates, measures, maximum intended load, designed, maintained, references other standards
1910.26(a) - Dockboards are capable of supporting the maximum intended load in accordance with 1910.22(b) - general requirements, loads.
1910.26(b)(1) - Dockboards put into initial service on or after January 17, 2017 are designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent transfer vehicles from running off the dockboard edge;
- 1910.26(b)(2) - Exception to paragraph (b)(1) of this section. When the employer demonstrates there is no hazard of transfer vehicles running off the dockboard edge, the employer may use dockboards that do not have run-off protection.
1910.26(d) - Measures, such as wheel chocks or sand shoes, are used to prevent the transport vehicle (e.g., a truck, semi-trailer, trailer, or rail car) on which a dockboard is placed, from moving while employees are on the dockboard.
Scope: This standard provides requirements for scaffolds and rope descent systems.
Scaffold means any temporary elevated or suspended platform and its supporting structure, including anchorage points, used to support employees, equipment, materials, and other items. For purposes of this subpart, a scaffold does not include a crane-suspended or derrick-suspended personnel platform or a rope descent system.
Rope descent system means a suspension system that allows an employee to descend in a controlled manner and, as needed, stop at any point during the descent. A rope descent system usually consists of a roof anchorage, support rope, a descent device, carabiner(s) or shackle(s), and a chair (seatboard). A rope descent system also is called controlled descent equipment or apparatus. Rope descent systems do not include industrial rope access systems.
Special Requirements: Tested, certified, inform (written), information (written), inspections, demonstrates, instructions, warnings, qualified person, design, training, rated load, maintained, rescue, references other standards
1910.27(a) - Scaffolds. Scaffolds used in general industry must meet the requirements in 29 CFR part 1926 - construction, subpart L - Scaffolds.
1910.27(b)(1) - Rope descent system. Anchorages.
- 1910.27(b)(1)(i) - Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer, in writing that the building owner has identified, tested, certified, and maintained each anchorage so it is capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached. The information must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person and certification of each anchorage by a qualified person, as necessary, and at least every 10 years.
- 1910.27(b)(1)(ii) - The employer must ensure that no employee uses any anchorage before the employer has obtained written information from the building owner that each anchorage meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section. The employer must keep the information for the duration of the job.
- 1910.27(b)(2)(i) - No rope descent system is used for heights greater than 300 feet (91 m) above grade unless the employer demonstrates that it is not feasible to access such heights by any other means or that those means pose a greater hazard than using a rope descent system.
- 1910.27(b)(2)(ii) - The rope descent system is used in accordance with instructions, warnings, and design limitations set by the manufacturer or under the direction of a qualified person.
- 1910.27(b)(2)(iii) - Each employee who uses the rope descent system is trained in accordance with 1910.30 - training requirements.
- 1910.27(b)(2)(iv) - The rope descent system is inspected at the start of each workshift that it is to be used. The employer must ensure damaged or defective equipment is removed from service immediately and replaced.
- 1910.27(b)(2)(vi) - Each employee uses a separate, independent personal fall arrest system that meets the requirements of subpart I - personal protective equipment, of this part (1910).
- 1910.27(b)(2)(vii) - All components of each rope descent system, except seat boards, are capable of sustaining a minimum rated load of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). Seat boards must be capable of supporting a live load of 300 pounds (136 kg).
- 1910.27(b)(2)(viii) - Prompt rescue of each employee is provided in the event of a fall.
Anchorage means a secure point of attachment for equipment such as lifelines, lanyards, deceleration devices, and rope descent systems.
Qualified describes a person who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.
Scope: This standard provides the requirements for fall protection and falling object protection.
Special Requirements: Demonstrate, fall protection plan, personal fall protection systems, designated area, practices, inspections, authorized employees, markings, training, warning lines, signs, references other standards
1910.28(a)(1) - This section requires employers to provide protection for each employee exposed to fall and falling object hazards. Unless stated otherwise, the employer must ensure that all fall protection and falling object protection required by this section meet the criteria in 1910.29 - Fall protection systems and falling object protection - criteria and practices, except that personal fall protection systems required by this section meet the criteria of 1910.140 - Personal fall protection systems.
1910.28(a)(2) - This section does not apply to [Reference paragraph (a)(2)]:
- 1910.28(a)(2)(ii) - When employers are inspecting, investigating, or assessing workplace conditions or work to be performed prior to the start of work or after all work has been completed. This exemption does not apply when fall protection systems or equipment meeting the requirements of 1910.29 - Fall protection systems and falling object protection - criteria and practices, have been installed and are available for workers to use for pre-work and post-work inspections, investigations, or assessments.
1910.28(b)(1) - Protection from fall hazards - Unprotected sides and edges
- 1910.28(b)(1)(ii) - When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail, safety net, or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs, the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.502(k) and training that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.503(a) and 29 CFR 1926.503(c).
Note: There is a presumption that it is feasible and will not create a greater hazard to use at least one of the above-listed fall protection systems specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) - Unprotected sides and edges, of this section. Accordingly, the employer has the burden of establishing that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to provide the fall protection systems specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) and that it is necessary to implement a fall protection plan that complies with 1926.502(k) in the particular work operation, in lieu of implementing any of those systems.
- 1910.28(b)(1)(iii) - When the employer can demonstrate that the use of fall protection systems is not feasible on the working side of a platform used at a loading rack, loading dock, or teeming platform, the work may be done without a fall protection system, provided:
- 1910.28(b)(1)(iii)(B) - Access to the platform is limited to authorized employees; and
- 1910.28(b)(1)(iii)(C) - The authorized employees are trained in accordance with 1910.30 - Training requirements.
1910.28(b)(2)(iii) - If grab handles are installed at hoist areas, they meet the requirements of 1910.29(l) - grab handles.
1910.28(b)(3)(iii) - Each employee is protected from falling into a stairway floor hole by a fixed guardrail system on all exposed sides, except at the stairway entrance. However, for any stairway used less than once per day where traffic across the stairway floor hole prevents the use of a fixed guardrail system (e.g., holes located in aisle spaces), the employer may protect employees from falling into the hole by using a hinged floor hole cover that meets the criteria in 1910.29 - fall protection systems and falling object protection - criteria and practices and a removable guardrail system on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the stairway.
1910.28(b)(3)(v) - Each employee is protected from falling through a hatchway and chute-floor hole by:
- 1910.28(b)(3)(v)(A) - A hinged floor-hole cover that meets the criteria in 1910.29 - - fall protection systems and falling object protection - criteria and practices, and a fixed guardrail system that leaves only one exposed side. When the hole is not in use, the employer must ensure the cover is closed or a removable guardrail system is provided on the exposed sides;
1910.28(b)(4) - Protection from fall hazards - Dockboards.
- 1910.28(b)(4)(ii)(C) - Those employees have been trained in accordance with 1910.30 - Training requirements.
1910.28(b)(5) - Runways and similar walkways.
- 1910.28(b)(5)(ii) - When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to have guardrails on both sides of a runway used exclusively for a special purpose, the employer may omit the guardrail on one side of the runway, provided the employer ensures:
1910.28(b)(8) - Repair pits, service pits, and assembly pits less than 10 feet in depth.
- 1910.28(b)(8)(i) - Limits access within 6 feet (1.8 m) of the edge of the pit to authorized employees trained in accordance with 1910.30 - training requirements.
- 1910.28(b)(8)(ii) - Applies floor markings at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit in colors that contrast with the surrounding area; or places a warning line at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit as well as stanchions that are capable of resisting, without tipping over, a force of at least 16 pounds (71 N) applied horizontally against the stanchion at a height of 30 inches (76 cm); or places a combination of floor markings and warning lines at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the edge of the pit. When two or more pits in a common area are not more than 15 feet (4.5m) apart, the employer may comply by placing contrasting floor markings at least 6 feet (1.8 m) from the pit edge around the entire area of the pits; and
- 1910.28(b)(8)(iii) - Posts readily visible caution signs that meet the requirements of 1910.145 - Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags, and state “Caution - Open Pit.”
1910.28(b)(10) - Outdoor advertising (billboards).
- 1910.28(b)(10)(ii)(A) - Receives training and demonstrates the physical capability to perform the necessary climbs in accordance with 1910.29(h) - outdoor advertising.
1910.28(b)(12) - Scaffolds and rope descent systems. The employer must ensure:
- 1910.28(b)(12)(i) - Each employee on a scaffold is protected from falling in accordance 29 CFR part 1926, subpart L - scaffolds.
1910.28(b)(13)(ii) - When work is performed at least 6 feet (1.6 m) but less than 15 feet (4.6 m) from the roof edge, the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by using a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system. The employer may use a designated area when performing work that is both infrequent and temporary.
1910.28(b)(13)(iii) - When work is performed 15 feet (4.6 m) or more from the roof edge, the employer must:
- 1910.28(b)(13)(iii)(A) - Protect each employee from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system or a designated area. The employer is not required to provide any fall protection, provided the work is both infrequent and temporary.
1910.28(b)(14) - Slaughtering facility platforms
- 1910.28(b)(14)(ii) - When the employer can demonstrate the use of a guardrail or travel restraint system is not feasible, the work may be done without those systems provided:
- 1910.28(b)(14)(ii)(B) - Access to the platform is limited to authorized employees; and
- 1910.28(b)(14)(ii)(C) - The authorized employees are trained in accordance with 1910.30 - training requirements.
1910.28(b)(15) - Walking-working surfaces not otherwise addressed. Except as provided elsewhere in this section or by other subparts of this part, the employer must ensure each employee on a walking-working surface 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by: [Reference paragraph (b)(15)(i) - (iii)].
Authorized means an employee who the employer assigns to perform a specific type of duty, or allows in a specific location or area.
Unprotected sides and edges mean any side or edge of a walking-working surface (except at entrances and other points of access) where there is no wall, guardrail system, or stair rail system to protect an employee from falling to a lower level.
Personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a walking-working surface. It consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector. The means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.
Personal fall protection system means a system (including all components) an employer uses to provide protection from falling or to safely arrest an employee's fall if one occurs. Examples of personal fall protection systems include personal fall arrest systems, positioning systems, and travel restraint systems.
Scope: This standard provides the requirements for fall protection systems and falling object protection.
Special Requirements: Fall protection system, inspections, programs, training, designated areas, maximum intended loads, demonstrates, references other standards
1910.29(a)(1) - Ensure each fall protection system and falling object protection, other than personal fall protection systems, that this part requires meets the requirements in this section. The employer must ensure each personal fall protection system meets the requirements in Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment of this part (29 CFR 1910).
1910.29(b) - Guardrail systems.
- 1910.29(b)(10) - When guardrail systems are used at hoist areas, a removable guardrail section, consisting of a top rail and midrail, are placed across the access opening between guardrail sections when employees are not performing hoisting operations. The employer may use chains or gates instead of a removable guardrail section at hoist areas if the employer demonstrates the chains or gates provide a level of safety equivalent to guardrails.
- 1910.29(b)(15) - Manila or synthetic rope used for top rails or midrails are inspected as necessary to ensure that the rope continues to meet the strength requirements in paragraph (b)(3) and paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
1910.29(c) - Safety net systems. The employer must ensure each safety net system meets the requirements in 29 CFR part 1926, subpart M - fall protection.
1910.29(d)(1) - When the employer uses a designated area, the employer must ensure: [Reference paragraphs (d)(1)(i)-(ii) and (d)(3)].
1910.29(e) - Covers. The employer must ensure each cover for a hole in a walking-working surface:
- 1910.29(e)(1) - Is capable of supporting without failure, at least twice the maximum intended load that may be imposed on the cover at any one time
1910.29(h) - Outdoor advertising. This paragraph (h) applies only to employers engaged in outdoor advertising operations [see 1910.28(b)(10) - Outdoor advertising (billboards)]. Employers must ensure that each employee who climbs a fixed ladder without fall protection:
- 1910.29(h)(2) - Has successfully completed a training or apprenticeship program that includes hands-on training on the safe climbing of ladders and is retrained as necessary to maintain the necessary skills;
- 1910.29(h)(3) - Has the skill to climb ladders safely, as demonstrated through formal classroom training or on-the-job training, and performance observation.
1910.29(j) - Personal fall protection systems. Body belts, harnesses, and other components used in personal fall arrest systems, work positioning systems, and travel restraint systems must meet the requirements of 1910.140 - personal fall protection systems.
1910.29(k)(1)(v) - protection from falling objects - Have a minimum height of 2.5 inches (6 cm) when used around vehicle repair, service, or assembly pits. Toeboards may be omitted around vehicle repair, service, or assembly pits when the employer can demonstrate that a toeboard would prevent access to a vehicle that is over the pit.
1910.29(l)(3) - Grab handles - Is capable of withstanding a maximum horizontal pull-out force equal to two times the maximum intended load or 200 pounds (890 N), whichever is greater.
Guardrail system means a barrier erected along an unprotected or exposed side, edge, or other area of a walking-working surface to prevent employees from falling to a lower level.
Personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a walking-working surface. It consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector. The means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.
Personal fall protection system means a system (including all components) an employer uses to provide protection from falling or to safely arrest an employee's fall if one occurs. Examples of personal fall protection systems include personal fall arrest systems, positioning systems, and travel restraint systems.
Scope: This standard provides the training requirements for subpart D - walking - working surfaces.
Special Requirements: Training, fall protection systems, qualified person, inspections, techniques, procedures, information, references other standards
1910.30(a) - Fall hazards.
- 1910.30(a)(1) - Before any employee is exposed to a fall hazard, the employer must provide training for each employee who uses personal fall protection systems or who is required to be trained as specified elsewhere in this subpart. Employers must ensure employees are trained in the requirements of this paragraph on or before May 17, 2017.
- 1910.30(a)(2) -The employer must ensure that each employee is trained by a qualified person.
- 1910.30(a)(3) - The employer must train each employee in at least the following topics:
- 1910.30(a)(3)(ii) - The procedures to be followed to minimize those hazards.
- 1910.30(a)(3)(iii) - The correct procedures for installing, inspecting, operating, maintaining, and disassembling the personal fall protection systems that the employee uses.
- 1910.30(a)(3)(iv) - The correct use of personal fall protection systems and equipment specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, including, but not limited to, proper hook-up, anchoring, and tie-off techniques, and methods of equipment inspection and storage, as specified by the manufacturer.
1910.30(b) - Equipment hazards.
- 1910.30(b)(1) - The employer must train each employee on or before May 17, 2017 in the proper care, inspection, storage, and use of equipment covered by this subpart (subpart D) before an employee uses the equipment.
- 1910.30(b)(2) - The employer must train each employee who uses a dockboard to properly place and secure it to prevent unintentional movement.
- 1910.30(b)(3) - The employer must train each employee who uses a rope descent system in proper rigging and use of the equipment in accordance with 1910.27 - Scaffolds and rope descent systems.
- 1910.30(b)(4) - The employer must train each employee who uses a designated area in the proper set-up and use of the area.
- 1910.30(c) - Retraining. The employer must retrain an employee when the employer has reason to believe the employee does not have the understanding and skill required by paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) of this section. Situations requiring retraining include, but are not limited to, the following: [Reference paragraph (c)(1) - (3)].
- 1910.30(d) - Training must be understandable. The employer must provide information and training to each employee in a manner that the employee understands.
Fall hazard means any condition on a walking-working surface that exposes an employee to a risk of harm from a fall on the same level or to a lower level.