1926.453 Aerial Lifts: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This section covers vehicle-mounted aerial devices used to elevate workers, such as boom lifts, bucket trucks, and articulating platforms. Only authorized persons may operate them, controls must be tested daily, and workers must stand firmly on the floor of the basket without sitting or climbing on the edge. Workers in boom-type lifts must wear a body harness with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket.
What the standard requires
- Allow only authorized persons to operate aerial lifts
- Test lift controls each day before use
- Require workers to stand firmly on the basket floor
- Require fall restraint or arrest attached to the boom or basket
- Observe manufacturer load limits and boom/basket ratings
Hazards it addresses
- Falls or ejection from the basket
- Tip-overs
- Electrocution from contact with overhead lines
Cited in commercial construction, sign installation, tree trimming, and utility 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.453(b)(2)(v) | A body belt must be worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift (body belts are not acceptable for fall arrest). | 372 | 372 | $3,015 |
| 1926.453(b)(2)(iv) | Employees must stand firmly on the floor of the basket and not sit or climb on the edge or use planks or ladders for added height. | 54 | 54 | $2,838 |
| 1926.453(a)(2) | 7 | 7 | $2,838 | |
| 1926.453(b)(2)(ii) | Only authorized persons may operate an aerial lift. | 4 | 4 | $851 |
| 1926.453(b)(2)(vi) | 3 | 3 | $1,230 | |
| 1926.453(b)(2)(vii) | 3 | 3 | $0 | |
| 1926.453(b)(2)(viii) | 3 | 3 | $7,236 | |
| 1926.453(a)(1) | 2 | 2 | $6,218 | |
| 1926.453(b)(2)(i) | 1 | 1 | $4,965 |
Penalties
Across 449 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $1,884,488 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $1,522,791, 19% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 91%; Other-than-serious 6%; Repeat 2%; Willful 0%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 44 | 48 | $181,448 | $143,775 |
| Virginia | 33 | 36 | $276,620 | $260,279 |
| New Jersey | 31 | 38 | $209,572 | $180,067 |
| Florida | 27 | 29 | $110,901 | $92,518 |
| Tennessee | 25 | 30 | $44,850 | $41,770 |
| New York | 22 | 25 | $112,589 | $114,306 |
| Maryland | 17 | 17 | $12,911 | $11,712 |
| Illinois | 16 | 20 | $149,984 | $82,499 |
| Missouri | 15 | 17 | $80,410 | $61,609 |
| Georgia | 14 | 15 | $47,140 | $39,870 |
| North Carolina | 13 | 14 | $41,730 | $36,444 |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 14 | $60,850 | $44,901 |
| Montana | 10 | 11 | $32,231 | $23,164 |
| Indiana | 9 | 10 | $5,950 | $5,390 |
| Oklahoma | 9 | 11 | $30,106 | $20,333 |
| South Carolina | 9 | 11 | $20,075 | $16,353 |
| Alabama | 8 | 8 | $27,286 | $22,415 |
| Ohio | 8 | 9 | $36,252 | $27,931 |
| Connecticut | 7 | 9 | $81,211 | $47,590 |
| Kentucky | 7 | 7 | $28,700 | $19,740 |
By industry
- Construction: 363 inspections
- Manufacturing: 17 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 8 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 2 inspections
- Other services: 2 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 2 inspections
- Utilities: 2 inspections
- Information: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O&D Renovations, LLC | Tonawanda, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $1,447 | $1,447 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Chuck McLaughlin LLC | Le Roy, NY | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $1,447 | $1,085 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| At Builders, Inc. | Newark, DE | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $2,979 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Lewis Brothers, Incorporated | Timonium, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $375 | $375 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| H & M Signs, Inc. | Parkville, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $450 | $450 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| New Image Contracting, LLC | Highland, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Town of Abingdon | Abingdon, VA | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| A&M Sign and Lighting | Anchorage, AK | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $2,270 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Sundance Construction LLC | Springfield, MO | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $2,383 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Alvey's Sign Co. Inc. | Peoria, IL | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $4,635 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Quilla Painting, Corp. | Miami, FL | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $2,412 | $2,412 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 15, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Pro Framing Inc. | Oklahoma City, OK | Aug 24, 2026 | 2 | $3,149 | $3,149 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 15, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Carlos Pavers LLC | Spring Lake, NJ | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 11, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Godard & Son Roofing | Parkville, MO | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,979 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Kemp Electric Inc. | Nappanee, IN | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $1,400 | $910 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Caney Creek Builders LLC | Hendersonville, TN | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $700 | $700 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| TC Glass Inc. | Great Falls, MT | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $3,690 | $2,214 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| N - W Nolasco Construction LLC | Maiden, NC | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Qse Construction LLC | Gahanna, OH | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Sep 3, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 4, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Tongue - Groove LLC | Wrightsville Beach, NC | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $6,620 | $4,303 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pete Customs Interior Trim LLC | Colorado Springs, CO | Aug 10, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| MACH7, Inc. | Hermitage, TN | Aug 10, 2026 | 1 | $800 | $800 | Final order | osha.gov |
| P.G.R. Construction, Inc. | Livermore Falls, ME | Aug 7, 2026 | 1 | $11,916 | $11,916 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Toro Construction, Corp. | Chicago, IL | Aug 7, 2026 | 1 | $7,945 | $5,562 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| O Miller Construction LLC | Painesville, OH | Aug 6, 2026 | 1 | $1,447 | $1,447 | OpenContest deadline ~Aug 27, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Ahiska Construction Inc. | Rolling Meadows, IL | Aug 6, 2026 | 2 | $2,837 | $1,200 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Jones Glass Co., Inc. | Nashville, TN | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $700 | $700 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sanchez Construction Group LLC | Asheville, NC | Aug 5, 2026 | 2 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Premier Exteriors, Inc. | Bowie, MD | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $437 | $437 | Final order | osha.gov |
| AO Construction and Restoration, Inc. | Youngstown, OH | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $1,700 | Informal settlementAbatement due Nov 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| R G Exteriors, Inc. | Milford, NH | Aug 3, 2026 | 2 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Schmidt Steel, Inc. | Highland Park, IL | Aug 3, 2026 | 2 | $83,412 | $41,706 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Rexford, NY | Jul 31, 2026 | 2 | $6,810 | $6,810 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| EFG Welding | Houston, TX | Jul 31, 2026 | 1 | $2,412 | $1,447 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Spring, TX | Jul 30, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Pete's Custom Painting Corporation | Colorado Springs, CO | Jul 29, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Vladmax Repairs, LLC | Spanish Fort, AL | Jul 28, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,362 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Statewide Mechanical, Inc. | Wilmington, DE | Jul 27, 2026 | 1 | $7,945 | $5,562 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| T & O Contractors, LLC | Smithville, MO | Jul 24, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenContest deadline ~Aug 14, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Andino's Iron Workers LLC | Gardendale, AL | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final order | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (70 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (51 shared inspections)
- 1926.454 Scaffold Training (40 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (26 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (26 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (25 shared inspections)
- 1903.19 Abatement Verification (17 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (17 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.453 require?
This section covers vehicle-mounted aerial devices used to elevate workers, such as boom lifts, bucket trucks, and articulating platforms. Only authorized persons may operate them, controls must be tested daily, and workers must stand firmly on the floor of the basket without sitting or climbing on the edge. Workers in boom-type lifts must wear a body harness with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket.
How often was 1926.453 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.453 (Aerial Lifts) appeared in 400 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 449 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.453 is cited most?
1926.453(b)(2)(v) was the most-cited paragraph, with 372 items: A body belt must be worn with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift (body belts are not acceptable for fall arrest).
Which states cite 1926.453 most often?
The most citations under 1926.453 in this period were issued in Texas, Virginia, New Jersey.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.453 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $2,838; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,383. Totals: $1,884,488 proposed, $1,522,791 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.453 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 8% 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.