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29 CFR 1926.451: Scaffolds, general requirements

Subpart L—Scaffolds · official heading: General requirements

The construction rules for scaffolds: how much they must hold, how they are built and reached, and fall protection for anyone working more than 10 feet up. Missing guardrails and unsafe access are common items.

46,190citations since 2015
19,171employers cited
95%serious, willful or repeat
$1,607median penalty per item

OSHA has cited 29 CFR 1926.451 46,190 times since 2015, against 19,171 employers. Penalties on these items add up to $106,061,450 at their current amounts.

Citations per year

The parts of the rule cited most

1926.451(g)(1) · 6,676 citations

(g) Fall protection. (1) Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1) (i) through (vii) of this section establish the types of fall protection to be provided to the employees on each type of scaffold. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section addresses fall protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers.

1926.451(e)(1) · 5,145 citations

(1) When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet (0.6 m) above or below a point of access, portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, stair towers (scaffold stairways/towers), stairway-type ladders (such as ladder stands), ramps, walkways, integral prefabricated scaffold access, or direct access from another scaffold, structure, personnel hoist, or similar surface shall be used. Crossbraces shall not be used as a means of access.

1926.451(b)(1) · 4,321 citations

(b) Scaffold platform construction. (1) Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports as follows:

1926.451(g)(1)(vii) · 4,066 citations

(vii) For all scaffolds not otherwise specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(vi) of this section, each employee shall be protected by the use of personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems meeting the requirements of paragraph (g)(4) of this section.

1926.451(c)(2) · 2,420 citations

(2) Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.

1926.451(f)(3) · 2,345 citations

(3) Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural integrity.

1926.451(g)(4)(i) · 2,227 citations

(i) Guardrail systems shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms. Guardrail systems shall be installed before the scaffold is released for use by employees other than erection/dismantling crews.

1926.451(f)(7) · 2,200 citations

(7) Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.

Industries cited most

  • Construction 44,919
  • Manufacturing 357
  • Wholesale Trade 190
  • Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 182
  • Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 103
  • Retail Trade 75

States cited most

Recently cited employers