1926.451 Scaffold Safety: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This is the core scaffold standard for construction, setting requirements for capacity, platform construction, footing, access, use, and fall protection. Scaffolds must support their own weight and at least four times the intended load, platforms must be fully planked, and supported scaffolds must rest on base plates and mud sills. Workers must have safe access, scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before each shift, and fall protection is required above 10 feet.
What the standard requires
- Design scaffolds to support at least four times the intended load
- Fully plank or deck each working platform
- Set supported scaffolds on base plates and mud sills or other firm foundation
- Provide safe access when platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a landing
- Protect workers more than 10 feet up with guardrails or personal fall arrest
Hazards it addresses
- Falls from scaffold platforms
- Scaffold collapse
- Workers struck by falling tools or materials
One of OSHA's most frequently cited standards, especially in masonry, siding, painting, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.451(g)(1) | Employees on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling. | 380 | 380 | $3,972 |
| 1926.451(e)(1) | Safe access is required when scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access. | 240 | 239 | $3,405 |
| 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) | Employees on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling. | 203 | 203 | $3,310 |
| 1926.451(b)(1) | Each platform on all working levels must be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and guardrail supports. | 197 | 197 | $3,972 |
| 1926.451(f)(3) | Scaffolds must be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift. | 168 | 168 | $2,065 |
| 1926.451(c)(2) | Supported scaffold poles, legs, and uprights must bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation. | 148 | 148 | $2,838 |
| 1926.451(g)(4)(i) | Guardrail systems must be installed along open sides and ends of platforms. | 148 | 148 | $3,582 |
| 1926.451(f)(7) | 124 | 124 | $2,818 | |
| 1926.451(b)(2) | 91 | 91 | $2,837 | |
| 1926.451(a)(6) | 62 | 62 | $3,972 | |
| 1926.451(c)(3) | 54 | 54 | $2,838 | |
| 1926.451(c)(2)(v) | Supported scaffold poles, legs, and uprights must bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation. | 53 | 53 | $2,270 |
| 1926.451(b)(1)(i) | Each platform on all working levels must be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and guardrail supports. | 52 | 52 | $2,755 |
| 1926.451(g)(1)(i) | Employees on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling. | 51 | 51 | $3,972 |
| 1926.451(c)(2)(iv) | Supported scaffold poles, legs, and uprights must bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation. | 43 | 43 | $4,256 |
Penalties
Across 2,553 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $9,450,807 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $7,872,533, 17% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 90%; Other-than-serious 6%; Repeat 3%; Willful 1%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 101 | 186 | $1,003,996 | $882,394 |
| Illinois | 79 | 153 | $728,143 | $624,021 |
| New York | 75 | 143 | $574,498 | $452,679 |
| Georgia | 72 | 132 | $407,989 | $370,102 |
| Texas | 71 | 153 | $624,079 | $508,609 |
| North Carolina | 69 | 158 | $316,954 | $281,088 |
| Virginia | 62 | 170 | $937,349 | $915,052 |
| Florida | 59 | 170 | $487,707 | $381,721 |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 119 | $695,217 | $571,089 |
| Massachusetts | 45 | 107 | $372,687 | $277,060 |
| Maryland | 44 | 147 | $82,224 | $75,168 |
| Tennessee | 37 | 86 | $234,175 | $227,285 |
| Ohio | 36 | 72 | $315,752 | $207,775 |
| Alabama | 26 | 55 | $201,194 | $174,218 |
| Wisconsin | 25 | 43 | $161,250 | $129,739 |
| Colorado | 19 | 44 | $118,742 | $76,269 |
| Kentucky | 17 | 46 | $204,200 | $168,150 |
| Minnesota | 17 | 45 | $151,150 | $142,315 |
| Delaware | 16 | 24 | $152,547 | $128,289 |
| Michigan | 16 | 17 | $10,400 | $5,600 |
By industry
- Construction: 1,105 inspections
- Manufacturing: 17 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 7 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 6 inspections
- Other services: 5 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 3 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 3 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multicraft Fire, LLC | Indianapolis, IN | Sep 3, 2026 | 2 | $8,400 | $8,400 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Daniel Jaramillo LLC | Wendell, NC | Sep 2, 2026 | 4 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jorges Exteriors LLC | Hutchinson, MN | Sep 1, 2026 | 4 | $15,400 | $15,400 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| New City Landscape LLC | Washington, DC | Aug 31, 2026 | 3 | $3,618 | $3,618 | OpenAbatement due Sep 9, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Grand Prairie, TX | Aug 31, 2026 | 2 | $3,405 | $1,077 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Triad Siding of Thomasville Incorporated | High Point, NC | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $3,310 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Custom Canopy LLC | Lake Villa, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $2,200 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Boen-Kemp Construction, LLC | Searcy, AR | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $6,243 | $3,746 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Metro Walls, Inc. | Peabody, MA | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $11,916 | $2,500 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| CMC Acquisition Company LLC | Naperville, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| FD Contractor LLC | Clay, NY | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| GF Frost Construction Co. | Clay, NY | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Ismael Masonry LLC | Saginaw, MI | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Gallatin, TN | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $800 | $800 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| E3 Install, LLC | Madison, TN | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $500 | $500 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ronan Construction, LLC | Chicago, IL | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $2,200 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Rissler Masonry, Inc. | Lebanon, PA | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | OpenAbatement due Sep 15, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Water Mill, NY | Aug 26, 2026 | 3 | $14,895 | $14,895 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contested Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ryan Hammond, Inc. | Fort Myers Beach, FL | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $15,889 | $15,889 | OpenAbatement due Sep 15, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Martin's Plastering & Stucco Corporation | Searcy, AR | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $6,810 | $6,810 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Ken Glanzer Construction | Sioux Falls, SD | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $3,972 | $2,300 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Diverge Homes LLC | Steamboat Springs, CO | Aug 25, 2026 | 7 | $15,890 | $6,810 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Blue River Construction, Inc. | Dundalk, MD | Aug 25, 2026 | 2 | $1,350 | $1,350 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 2, 2026Contested Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gallardo's Framing LLC | Racine, WI | Aug 24, 2026 | 2 | $7,944 | $3,972 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Mex-Stucco-Construction | Denver, CO | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $2,837 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| JJ Contracting | Wildwood Crest, NJ | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $3,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Oregon City, OR | Aug 21, 2026 | 3 | $4,251 | $4,251 | Final order | osha.gov |
| VMC Facilities, LLC | Denver, CO | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $2,837 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Iowa Exterior Renovations LLC | Johnston, IA | Aug 20, 2026 | 2 | $4,965 | $2,482 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pearson Custom Homes, LLC | Hampton, NH | Aug 20, 2026 | 7 | $41,710 | $41,710 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| U.S. Structures, Inc. | Boynton Beach, FL | Aug 19, 2026 | 2 | $12,298 | $7,379 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| TS&G Construction Corp. Hudson Masonry | Nanuet, NY | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Mega Builders and Carpentry Corp. | Attleboro, MA | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $1,800 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Best Plastering Contractor | El Paso, TX | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $2,850 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| JDD Construction LLC | Baltimore, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 3 | $4,500 | $4,500 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Brian Lane Construction LLC | Lodi, WI | Aug 18, 2026 | 2 | $9,930 | $3,724 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Old Hickory, TN | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $1,600 | $500 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Garner, NC | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dominguez Framing | Oklahoma City, OK | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $5,958 | OpenAbatement due Sep 4, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| F.J.R. Construction LLC | Berlin, MD | Aug 17, 2026 | 2 | $1,200 | $1,200 | OpenAbatement due Sep 18, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 8, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (331 shared inspections)
- 1926.454 Scaffold Training (267 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (203 shared inspections)
- 1926.452 Specific Scaffold Types (197 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (164 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (157 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (143 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (79 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.451 require?
This is the core scaffold standard for construction, setting requirements for capacity, platform construction, footing, access, use, and fall protection. Scaffolds must support their own weight and at least four times the intended load, platforms must be fully planked, and supported scaffolds must rest on base plates and mud sills. Workers must have safe access, scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before each shift, and fall protection is required above 10 feet.
How often was 1926.451 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.451 (Scaffold Safety) appeared in 1,160 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 2,553 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.451 is cited most?
1926.451(g)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 380 items: Employees on scaffolds more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falling.
Which states cite 1926.451 most often?
The most citations under 1926.451 in this period were issued in New Jersey, Illinois, New York.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.451 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $3,310; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,270. Totals: $9,450,807 proposed, $7,872,533 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.451 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 10% 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.