In Arkansas, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Scaffolding is enforced for private construction employers by federal OSHA.
29 CFR 1926.451 · Arkansas
Scaffolding Requirements in Arkansas
Scaffolding in Arkansas: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
ArkansasConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 6 times in Arkansas construction (6.3% of its construction citations there, the 4th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(c)(2) with 2 citations.
6
1926.451 citations in Arkansas construction, FY2025
(c)(2)
paragraph cited most in Arkansas (2 citations)
9.5
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Arkansas, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in Arkansas: 29 CFR 1926.451, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-266
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 in 3 inspections
$30,484
penalties, current amounts ($30,484 as first proposed)
6.3%
of the 95 federal construction citations in Arkansas
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 6 times in inspections of Arkansas construction employers. It ranked fourth of the 30 standards cited in them. By classification: 6 serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.451(c)(2) (2), 1926.451(c)(2)(iv) (1), 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) (1).
Counted by HazComFast from the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforcement data (inspection and violation tables, retrieved September 26, 2026): citations issued October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 on federal OSHA inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) in the state, deleted citations excluded, penalties at current amounts. OSHA's own cited-standards tool does not break federal states out; summed over every state, this count matches it within a few citations (6,778 for 1926.501, against 6,772). data.dol.gov
Falls and work deaths in Arkansas, 2024
Arkansas recorded 79 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 92 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 7 of them (9%). Construction accounted for 10.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Arkansas, 2024
How Arkansas Enforces 29 CFR 1926.451
Arkansas has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.451 is enforced by U.S. Department of Labor compliance officers using standard federal procedures and the federal penalty maximums.
In Arkansas, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 went most often to Masonry Contractors (4) and Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (2). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.451, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
Help and oversight in Arkansas
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Arkansas, the program is Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing (OSHA Consultation Section). 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.
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Little Rock Area Office (Little Rock).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Arkansas Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.451 (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) |
Arkansas applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Federal OSHA reduces the proposed penalty for employer size, good faith and history (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch. 6). There was no inflation increase for 2026: the 2025 amounts remain in effect (OMB Memo M-26-11).
Key Scaffolding Requirements 29 CFR 1926.451
- Design to support 4x intended load
- Provide guardrails on open sides above 10 feet
- Inspect before each shift by competent person
- Train workers on scaffold hazards
- Ensure proper access (ladders, stairways)
- Follow requirements specific to scaffold type
Who enforces it in Arkansas: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; Arkansas has no State Plan.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1926.451 are on the 29 CFR 1926.451 page.
Most-Cited Scaffolding Paragraphs in Arkansas, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 6 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Arkansas construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.451(c)(2) 2 citations
“Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.”
- 2
1926.451(b)(1) 1 citation
“Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports as follows:”
- 3
1926.451(b)(7) 1 citation
“On scaffolds where platforms are overlapped to create a long platform, the overlap shall occur only over supports, and shall not be less than 12 inches (30 cm) …”
- 4
1926.451(c)(2)(iv) 1 citation
“Front-end loaders and similar pieces of equipment shall not be used to support scaffold platforms unless they have been specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use.”
- 5
1926.451(g)(1)(vii) 1 citation
“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 …”
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
Arkansas Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
95 of them in Arkansas (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Arkansas, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (9), Roofing Contractors (7) and Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (5), out of 52 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.451 in Arkansas, FY2025: Masonry Contractors (4) and Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (2), of 6 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Arkansas, 2024: 9.5 per 100,000 full-time workers, 18th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 6.2).
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 Scaffolding Compliance Tools
Scaffolding FAQ for Arkansas
Which Arkansas construction trades are cited most under Scaffolding?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 6 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Arkansas construction employers, most often to Masonry Contractors (4) and Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (2) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since Arkansas has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 95 citations across 42 inspections of Arkansas construction employers in FY2025 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.451 on a recurring basis.
How often is Scaffolding cited on Arkansas jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break Arkansas out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 95 citations across 42 inspections of Arkansas construction employers, 6 of them under 29 CFR 1926.451 (HazComFast count). A Scaffolding citation in Arkansas can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Arkansas's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Arkansas construction sites?
Federal OSHA. Arkansas has no State Plan, so a compliance officer from OSHA's Little Rock Area Office inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451 directly at the federal penalty maximums. A serious violation carries up to $16,550, and separate hazardous conditions can each be cited as separate items.
Can I get free OSHA help in Arkansas without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Arkansas is Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing (OSHA Consultation Section). 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 federal OSHA cite 29 CFR 1926.451 in Arkansas construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 6 times in 3 inspections of Arkansas construction employers, with $30,484 in penalties at current amounts ($30,484 as first proposed), 6.3% of the 95 citations those inspections produced. It ranked fourth of the 30 standards cited. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
Scaffolding Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Scaffolding in Other States
8 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.451 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
Alaska29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1145 for exposuresCalifornia8 CCR §1637, with railings under §1621(a)own maxHawaiiHAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2)Maryland29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04own maxMichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 12, R 408.41201, with R 408.41210(2)own maxNevadaNAC 618.507, with the construction project definition at NAC 618.494Oregon29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0071, -0073 and -0074own maxUtah29 CFR 1926.451 as incorporated by R614-1-4.A.4, with R614-1-5.C.3 and C.4own max
Other OSHA Standards in Arkansas
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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