In Arizona, 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 Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH).
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Arizona
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Arizona
Stairways (Construction) in Arizona: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
ArizonaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH)
Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Arizona construction employers in FY2025. The federal maximum for a serious violation is $16,550.
0
1926.1052 citations in Arizona construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(i)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (48 citations)
9.0
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Arizona, 2024 (BLS)
What Arizona's own rule says
Stairways are adopted federal text at the February 24, 2021 cut-off: 19 inches to trigger a stairway or ladder, 30 to 50 degrees of pitch, stairrails from four risers or a 30-inch rise. Arizona left Subpart X alone. What differs from federal practice is reach rather than content: the construction adoption applies to all employers, both public and private, so a state or municipal crew building its own stairway is inside the same standard as a contractor.
29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Falls and work deaths in Arizona, 2024
Arizona recorded 94 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 103 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 17 of them (18%). Construction accounted for 24, 9 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Arizona, 2024
How Arizona Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Arizona runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Arizona'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 A.A.C. R20-5-601, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Arizona construction in FY2025. Arizona applies the federal penalty maximums.
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Arizona State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Arizona
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Arizona, the program is Consultation & Training, Industrial Commission of Arizona (Division of Occupational Safety & 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.
Arizona 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) |
Arizona applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) 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 Arizona: Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) 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.
Stairways (Construction) Citations in Arizona, FY2025
Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Arizona construction employers in FY2025. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most nationwide:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 132 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(1)(i) 48 citations
“At least one handrail; and”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 37 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 3
1926.1052(c)(1) 27 citations
“Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped with:”
- 4
1926.1052(c)(12) 9 citations
“Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings shall be provided with guardrail systems. Guardrail system criteria are contained in subpart M of this part.”
- 5
1926.1052(b)(1) 3 citations
“Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on stairways with pan stairs where the treads and/or landings are to be filled in with concrete or other material …”
- 6
1926.1052(b)(3) 2 citations
“Treads for temporary service shall be made of wood or other solid material, and shall be installed the full width and depth of the stair.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: every federal OSHA citation issued in FY2025 to a construction employer (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Arizona Safety & Enforcement Profile
183
FY2025 construction citations
Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Arizona, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (22), Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (16) and Roofing Contractors (11), out of 113 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Construction fatality rate in Arizona, 2024: 9.0 per 100,000 full-time workers, 22nd highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 2.8).
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. 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 Arizona
Which Arizona construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Arizona in FY2025 were Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (22), Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (16) and Roofing Contractors (11), out of 113 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Arizona construction employers that year. Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) issued 183 construction citations across 62 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601, Arizona's own rule on this subject.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Arizona jobsites?
In FY2025, Arizona's state plan (Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH)) issued 183 construction citations across 62 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Arizona's fatality figures are shown above.
When does ADOSH require handrails on an Arizona 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 Arizona these are enforced by ADOSH, the state's own OSHA program.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Arizona?
ADOSH, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Arizona 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 Arizona without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Arizona is Consultation & Training, Industrial Commission of Arizona (Division of Occupational Safety & 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.
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.
Alaska29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1015 on postingCalifornia8 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 Arizona
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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