1910.27 Scaffolds & Rope Descent: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This section points general industry employers to the construction scaffold rules in Part 1926 Subpart L for scaffold use, and sets specific requirements for rope descent systems, the controlled-descent seats often used for window washing and building facade work. Before such work, the building owner must inform the employer in writing that anchorages have been identified, tested, certified, and maintained. Rope descent use is limited in height, and each user must have an independent personal fall arrest system.
What the standard requires
- Follow the construction scaffold standards when using scaffolds in general industry
- Obtain written assurance from the building owner that anchorages are tested and certified
- Provide an independent personal fall arrest system for rope descent users
- Inspect rope descent equipment each day before use
Hazards it addresses
- Falls from suspended seats or scaffolds
- Anchorage failure
- Rope abrasion or cutting
Most often seen in window cleaning, building maintenance, and facade inspection work.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.27(a) | 16 | 16 | $6,408 | |
| 1910.27(b)(2)(vi) | Use requirements for rope descent systems, including training, inspection, and fall arrest | 2 | 2 | $28,136 |
| 1910.27(b)(1)(ii) | Anchorage identification, testing, certification, and written notice from the building owner | 1 | 1 | $6,809 |
| 1910.27(b)(2)(ii) | Use requirements for rope descent systems, including training, inspection, and fall arrest | 1 | 1 | $9,268 |
| 1910.27(b)(2)(iv) | Use requirements for rope descent systems, including training, inspection, and fall arrest | 1 | 1 | $4,965 |
| 1910.27(b)(2)(ix) | Use requirements for rope descent systems, including training, inspection, and fall arrest | 1 | 1 | $5,958 |
| 1910.27(b)(2)(v) | Use requirements for rope descent systems, including training, inspection, and fall arrest | 1 | 1 | $4,965 |
Penalties
Across 23 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $191,669 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $183,566, 4% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 57%; Other-than-serious 35%; Repeat 4%; Willful 4%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3 | 4 | $40,667 | $61,817 |
| Ohio | 2 | 2 | $20,523 | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 2 | 2 | $6,195 | $4,336 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 2 | $12,768 | $13,478 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $6,621 | $3,973 |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,589 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | $7,944 | $5,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | $600 | $360 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 3 | $59,580 | $59,580 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | $5,627 | $3,500 |
| South Dakota | 1 | 1 | $11,585 | $9,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | $15,889 | $9,533 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 7 inspections
- Construction: 3 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 2 inspections
- Other services: 2 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 1 inspections
- Information: 1 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 1 inspections
- Retail trade: 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jobs Building Services, LLC | Houston, TX | Aug 20, 2026 | 2 | $15,889 | $9,533 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Scheels All Sports Inc. | Appleton, WI | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $7,094 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Boxley Ready Mix, LLC | Wytheville, VA | Jun 4, 2026 | 1 | $6,195 | $4,336 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Shipbuilders of Wisconsin Inc. | Manitowoc, WI | Jun 4, 2026 | 1 | $12,768 | $6,384 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| BC Partnership, LLC | Lakeland, FL | Jun 4, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $3,973 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Hotel Roanoke, LLC | Roanoke, VA | Jun 1, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Thornton Welding Service, Inc. | Decatur, IL | May 22, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,589 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Globus Global Safety Inc. | Anoka, MN | May 18, 2026 | 1 | $600 | $360 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Transport Services Inc. | North Royalton, OH | May 8, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Patriot Beverages LLC | Littleton, MA | Apr 23, 2026 | 1 | $7,944 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| EI6 | Parma, OH | Apr 15, 2026 | 1 | $13,902 | $10,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Burns Tree and Crane, LLC | Horse Shoe, NC | Apr 8, 2026 | 3 | $59,580 | $59,580 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 16, 2026Contested Apr 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mark Prince LLC | New York, NY | Apr 7, 2026 | 2 | $12,767 | $12,767 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 14, 2026Contested Jun 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jones Lang Lasalle Americas Incorporated | East Syracuse, NY | Mar 27, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $15,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Release BW, Inc. | Egg Harbor City, NJ | Jan 30, 2026 | 1 | $5,627 | $3,500 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 26, 2026Contested Feb 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| C & S Canopy Inc. | Jackson, TN | Jan 21, 2026 | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Verizon Services Corp. | Liverpool, NY | Jan 12, 2026 | 1 | $11,350 | $34,050 | Formal settlementAbatement due Aug 13, 2026Contested Feb 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mobile Transportation Service, Inc. | Mcdonough, GA | Dec 30, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Design Tanks, LLC | Sioux Falls, SD | Dec 18, 2025 | 1 | $11,585 | $9,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.184 Rigging Slings (3 shared inspections)
- 1904.39 Severe Injury Reporting (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.178 Forklifts (3 shared inspections)
- 1910.212 Machine Guarding (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.30 Fall Hazard Training (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.140 Personal Fall Protection (2 shared inspections)
- 1910.147 Lockout/Tagout (2 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.27 require?
This section points general industry employers to the construction scaffold rules in Part 1926 Subpart L for scaffold use, and sets specific requirements for rope descent systems, the controlled-descent seats often used for window washing and building facade work. Before such work, the building owner must inform the employer in writing that anchorages have been identified, tested, certified, and maintained. Rope descent use is limited in height, and each user must have an independent personal fall arrest system.
How often was 1910.27 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.27 (Scaffolds & Rope Descent) appeared in 19 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 23 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.27 is cited most?
1910.27(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 16 items.
Which states cite 1910.27 most often?
The most citations under 1910.27 in this period were issued in New York, Ohio, Virginia.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.27 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $6,621; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $4,965. Totals: $191,669 proposed, $183,566 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.27 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 30% 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.