In Alaska, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Stairways (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by Alaska Occupational Safety & Health.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Alaska
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Alaska
Stairways (Construction) in Alaska: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on posting, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
AlaskaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Alaska Occupational Safety & Health
In FY2025, Alaska Occupational Safety & Health cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 2 times in Alaska construction (0.9% of its construction citations there, the 23rd most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1052(c)(12) with 1 citation.
2
1926.1052 citations in Alaska construction, FY2025
(c)(12)
paragraph cited most in Alaska (1 citation)
7.1
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries, Alaska, 2024 (BLS)
Alaska 29 CFR 1926.1052 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-082
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (FY2025)
$3,549
penalties for this standard
0.9%
of the state's 213 construction citations
In FY2025, Alaska Occupational Safety & Health cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 2 times on Alaska construction jobsites with $3,549 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 0.9% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it 23rd on Alaska's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Alaska's own rule says
Stairways are adopted federal text at the current version: 19 inches to trigger a stairway or ladder, 30 to 50 degrees of pitch, stairrails from four risers or a 30-inch rise. Alaska's own additions in this area concern the season rather than the structure: under 8 AAC 61.1015, an establishment closed at year end because it runs on a seasonal schedule posts the annual injury summary no later than 15 days after it reopens, and keeps it up for 90 consecutive days or, if the season is shorter, the whole of it. It is a small rule and a distinctly Alaskan one.
29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on postingThe duty itself differs from the federal text.
Read in Alaska Occupational Safety & Health's own rule text · verified 2026-08-09
Falls and work deaths in Alaska, 2024
Alaska recorded 24 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 29 in 2023. BLS did not publish a separate 2024 count of deaths from falls, slips and trips for Alaska.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Alaska, 2024
How Alaska Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Alaska runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Alaska Occupational Safety & Health, which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Alaska's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on posting, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Alaska Occupational Safety & Health cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 2 times in Alaska construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Alaska applies the federal penalty maximums.
In Alaska, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 went most often to Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (1) and All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (1). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on posting, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Alaska State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Alaska
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Alaska, the program is Consultation and Training (Alaska Occupational Safety and Health). OSHA describes it as “Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs.” It is separate from OSHA enforcement; the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Alaska Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1052 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $16,550 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Willful | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Repeat | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Failure to abate | $16,550/day | up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6) |
Alaska applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Alaska Occupational Safety & Health computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Stairways (Construction) Requirements 29 CFR 1926.1052
- Build stairways at 30° to 50° angle
- Provide handrails on open sides above 30 inches
- Stair rails must be 36 inches high (from stair tread)
- Use uniform riser height and tread depth
- Install mid-rails or screens between top rail and stringer
Who enforces it in Alaska: Alaska Occupational Safety & Health inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Alaska Occupational Safety & Health can add requirements beyond the federal standard above, so check its own rules as well.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1926.1052 are on the 29 CFR 1926.1052 page.
Most-Cited Stairways (Construction) Paragraphs in Alaska, FY2025
Alaska Occupational Safety & Health issued 2 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Alaska construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(12) 1 citation
“Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings shall be provided with guardrail systems. Guardrail system criteria are contained in subpart M of this part.”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(4) 1 citation
“Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members, shall be provided between the top rail of the stairrail system and the stairway steps.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Alaska Safety & Enforcement Profile
213
FY2025 construction citations
Alaska Occupational Safety & Health
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Alaska, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (20), Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (12) and Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (7), out of 88 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Alaska, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (1) and All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (1), of 2 citations.
- Fatal injury rate in Alaska, 2024: 7.1 per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries. BLS did not publish a 2024 construction rate here.
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) opened from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, federal OSHA and State Plan combined, grouped by the inspected employer's 2022 NAICS industry. HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), grouped by the cited employer's 2022 NAICS industry. Industry names are the Census Bureau's 2022 NAICS titles. data.dol.gov · BLS fatality rates by state, 2024
Free Stairways (Construction) Compliance Tools
Stairways (Construction) FAQ for Alaska
Which Alaska construction trades are cited most under Stairways (Construction)?
In FY2025, Alaska Occupational Safety & Health issued 2 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Alaska construction employers, most often to Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (1) and All Other Specialty Trade Contractors (1) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Alaska Occupational Safety & Health inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Alaska Occupational Safety & Health issued 213 construction citations across 49 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on posting, Alaska's own rule on this subject.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Alaska jobsites?
In FY2025, Alaska's state plan (Alaska Occupational Safety & Health) issued 213 construction citations across 49 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Alaska's fatality figures are shown above.
When does AKOSH require handrails on an Alaska construction stairway?
Under 29 CFR 1926.1052(c)(1), a stairway with four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches, whichever is less, must have at least one handrail and a stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge. In Alaska these are enforced by AKOSH, within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Alaska?
AKOSH, Alaska Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Alaska runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 1926.1052 on private jobsites.
Can I get free OSHA help in Alaska without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Alaska is Consultation and Training (Alaska Occupational Safety and Health). OSHA describes it this way: "Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs." Consultations are separate from OSHA enforcement, and the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
How often does Alaska cite 29 CFR 1926.1052 in construction?
In FY2025, Alaska Occupational Safety & Health cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 2 times on Alaska construction jobsites, with $3,549 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 0.9% of the 213 construction citations the state issued that year. (Source: OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23; verified 2026-08-08.)
Stairways (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Stairways (Construction) in Other States
8 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.1052 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
Arizona29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601California8 CCR §1626own maxHawaii29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c)MichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 21, R 408.42127 to R 408.42157own maxMinnesotaMinn. R. 5207.0250, subp. 4NevadaNAC 618.505 and NAC 618.507Utah29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by R614-1-4.A.4, with R614-1-5.D.5own maxWashingtonWAC 296-155-477
Other OSHA Standards in Alaska
Sources & verification
Penalty amounts and plan-type data were checked on 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register. This page is informational and not legal advice; consult the enforcing agency or counsel for your specific situation.
Get the Binder in Order Before the Inspector Arrives. Are You Ready?
OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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