1910.28(b)(3) Holes. The employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling through any hole (including
skylights) that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level by one or more of the following: cover, guardrail system,
travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.

1910.28(b)(3)(ii) Each employee is protected from tripping into or stepping into or through any hole that is less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above a lower level by covers or guardrail systems.

What does this mean to you?
If the building has a hole or skylight that is more than 4’ above the surface below, fall prevention is required. One can use
covers, a guardrail system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest systems. If there is less than a 4’ fall, then the use of covers or a guardrail system may be used.

OSHA certified covers made from materials that let in natural light are a good fall prevention option. Covers or fall prevention guards are typically available for smaller and low domed skylights.

For large skylights or those that have high domes like tall pyramid domes, guard rail systems are typically needed. These
normally use bases and guard railing that meets all the OSHA regulations for leading-edge fall prevention.