At 8.0 ft, Construction (29 CFR 1926.501(b)(1)): an unprotected side or edge 6 ft (1.8 m) or more above a lower level must be protected by guardrail systems, safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems.

This figure shows only the height at which each paragraph starts. Each section has more cases, such as holes, ramps and dangerous equipment, and exceptions, so read the full text before relying on a number. The scope paragraph of subpart M, 29 CFR 1926.500(a)(2), sends fall protection for scaffold work to subpart L and for steel erection work, except towers and tanks, to subpart R.

The guardrail is drawn with its top edge at 42 in and its midrail at 21 in, as 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1) and (b)(2)(i) describe. The lifeline stands for a personal fall arrest system. Which systems may be used is set by the paragraph shown. Text from the eCFR, Title 29, as of the 6 October 2026 issue, read on 12 October 2026. Each quote is in SOURCES.md next to the build script.