In Connecticut, 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 federal OSHA (the state plan, Connecticut OSHA (CONN-OSHA), covers only public employees).
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Connecticut
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Connecticut
Stairways (Construction) in Connecticut: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
ConnecticutConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA (private) · State plan (public)
Federal OSHA issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Connecticut construction employers in FY2025. The federal maximum for a serious violation is $16,550.
0
1926.1052 citations in Connecticut construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(i)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (48 citations)
6.5
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Connecticut, 2024 (BLS)
What federal OSHA is targeting in Connecticut
Connecticut has no state OSHA plan for private-sector work, so there is no state rule to read. What differs here is which hazards federal OSHA schedules inspections for, as set out in published emphasis directives.
Regional Local Emphasis Program for Residential Construction
BOS-CPL-04-00-030 · Boston Regional Office · effective October 1, 2024
“This instruction applies to Federal OSHA, Boston Region jurisdiction.”
Residential construction is scheduled for programmed inspection across the whole Boston region, and the directive names the industries it targets by NAICS: 236115 and 236116 for new single-family and multifamily housing, and the 238 specialty trade codes including framing, roofing, siding, masonry and drywall. A residential framing or roofing crew here is not waiting for a complaint to be inspected; it is on a targeting list.
Falls and work deaths in Connecticut, 2024
Connecticut recorded 41 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 33 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 7 of them (17%). Construction accounted for 8, 3 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Connecticut, 2024
How Connecticut Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Connecticut operates an OSHA-approved state plan (Connecticut OSHA (CONN-OSHA)), but it covers only state and local government employees. Private-sector construction employers in Connecticut are inspected by federal OSHA, which enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052 directly using the federal penalty maximums. So if you run a private construction company in Connecticut, Stairways (Construction) citations come from a federal Department of Labor compliance officer, not Connecticut OSHA (CONN-OSHA).
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1052, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
For a private-sector jobsite in Connecticut, HazComFast shows that federal OSHA has jurisdiction, because the state plan covers public employers only. Start free
Help and oversight in Connecticut
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Connecticut, the program is Connecticut Department of Labor/CONN-OSHA. 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.
Connecticut consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
A State Plan for public employers only
“CONN-OSHA covers all state and local government workers in the state.” “OSHA also exercises authority over private sector employers in the state and federal OSHA standards apply to these workers.”
Initial approval November 3, 1978 · 29 CFR 1952.23 · osha.gov
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Bridgeport Area Office (Bridgeport) and the Hartford Area Office (Hartford).
State law: OSHA 10-hour training on public works projects
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-53b “has completed a course of at least ten hours in duration in construction safety and health approved by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration” “shall be subject to removal from the worksite if the person does not provide documentation of having completed such course or program by the fifteenth day after the date the person is found to be in noncompliance”
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Connecticut 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) |
Connecticut 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 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 Connecticut: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; the Connecticut OSHA (CONN-OSHA) State Plan covers state and local government workers only.
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 Connecticut, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Connecticut 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
Connecticut Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
384 of them in Connecticut (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Connecticut, FY2025: Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (54), Roofing Contractors (40) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (22), out of 232 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Construction fatality rate in Connecticut, 2024: 6.5 per 100,000 full-time workers, 35th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 2.3).
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 Connecticut
Which Connecticut construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Connecticut in FY2025 were Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (54), Roofing Contractors (40) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (22), out of 232 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Federal OSHA issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Connecticut construction employers that year. Private-sector employers answer to federal OSHA (the Connecticut OSHA (CONN-OSHA) plan covers only public workers). For context, federal OSHA issued 384 citations across 159 inspections of Connecticut construction employers in FY2025 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1052 on a recurring basis.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Connecticut jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break Connecticut out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 384 citations across 159 inspections of Connecticut construction employers, none of them under 29 CFR 1926.1052 (HazComFast count). A Stairways (Construction) citation in Connecticut can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Connecticut's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) for a private Connecticut contractor?
Federal OSHA. Connecticut's CONN-OSHA plan covers only public employees, so a compliance officer from OSHA's Boston region inspects and cites 1926.1052 on private jobsites.
Can I get free OSHA help in Connecticut without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Connecticut is Connecticut Department of Labor/CONN-OSHA. 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.
Does Connecticut require OSHA 10-hour training on construction sites?
On public works projects, yes. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-53b: "has completed a course of at least ten hours in duration in construction safety and health approved by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration" and "shall be subject to removal from the worksite if the person does not provide documentation of having completed such course or program by the fifteenth day after the date the person is found to be in noncompliance" This is a Connecticut law, not a federal OSHA standard.
Stairways (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Stairways (Construction) in Other States
9 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 postingArizona29 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 max
Other OSHA Standards in Connecticut
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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