In Florida, 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.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Florida
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Florida
Stairways (Construction) in Florida: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
FloridaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 6 times in Florida construction (0.2% of its construction citations there, the 26th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) with 3 citations.
6
1926.1052 citations in Florida construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(ii)
paragraph cited most in Florida (3 citations)
9.4
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Florida, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in Florida: 29 CFR 1926.1052, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-266
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1052 in 5 inspections
$26,308
penalties, current amounts ($31,399 as first proposed)
0.2%
of the 2,403 federal construction citations in Florida
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 6 times in inspections of Florida construction employers. It ranked 26th of the 86 standards cited in them. By classification: 4 serious, 2 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) (3), 1926.1052(c)(1)(i) (1), 1926.1052(c)(12) (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 Florida, 2024
Florida recorded 284 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 306 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 66 of them (23%). Construction accounted for 89, 39 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Florida, 2024
Stairways (Construction) Cases in Florida
Latite Roofing & Sheet Metal Co., Inc.
$1,000 affirmed, not appealedFort Lauderdale, Florida - residential roofing · 2003
Latite roofers carried boxes of nails to the roof of a two- and three-story apartment building by two stairways that lacked stair rails. Administrative Law Judge Ken S. Welsch affirmed a serious violation of 1926.1052(c)(1), which requires a stairway with four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches, to have at least one handrail and one stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge, and assessed $1,000 against the $1,500 proposed. The judge noted that Latite was not responsible for installing the stairway or its railings, and held it responsible anyway, because the employees exposed on those stairs were its own. Latite took the fall-protection item to the full Commission and won a partial reversal there, but never petitioned for review of the stairway item, so it stood as issued.
OSHRC Docket 02-0656 - ALJ decision May 1, 2003; Commission decision 2005 OSHRC No. 24How Florida Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Florida has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.1052 is enforced by U.S. Department of Labor compliance officers using standard federal procedures and the federal penalty maximums.
In Florida, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 went most often to Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors (2) and Framing Contractors (2). 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.
Help and oversight in Florida
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Florida, the program is USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program (University of South Florida). 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 Fort Lauderdale Area Office (Ft. Lauderdale), the Jacksonville Area Office (Jacksonville), the Tampa Area Office (Tampa), the Mobile Area Office (Mobile) and the Orlando Area Office (Orlando).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Florida 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) |
Florida 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 Florida: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; Florida has no State Plan.
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 Florida, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 6 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Florida construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 3 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1) 1 citation
“Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped with:”
- 3
1926.1052(c)(1)(i) 1 citation
“At least one handrail; and”
- 4
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.”
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
Florida Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
2,403 of them in Florida (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Florida, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (596), Framing Contractors (275) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (117), out of 1,662 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Florida, FY2025: Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors (2), Framing Contractors (2) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1), of 6 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Florida, 2024: 9.4 per 100,000 full-time workers, 20th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 2.9).
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 Florida
Which Florida construction trades are cited most under Stairways (Construction)?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 6 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Florida construction employers, most often to Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors (2), Framing Contractors (2) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since Florida has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 2,403 citations across 1,090 inspections of Florida 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 Florida jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break Florida out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 2,403 citations across 1,090 inspections of Florida construction employers, 6 of them under 29 CFR 1926.1052 (HazComFast count). A Stairways (Construction) citation in Florida can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Florida's fatality figures are shown above.
When does OSHA require handrails on a Florida 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 Florida these requirements are enforced by federal OSHA at the federal penalty maximums.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Florida?
Federal OSHA. With no State Plan in Florida, a federal compliance officer inspects and cites 1926.1052 directly.
Can I get free OSHA help in Florida without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Florida is USF SafetyFlorida Consultation Program (University of South Florida). 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 1926.1052 in Florida construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 6 times in 5 inspections of Florida construction employers, with $26,308 in penalties at current amounts ($31,399 as first proposed), 0.2% of the 2,403 citations those inspections produced. It ranked 26th of the 86 standards cited. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
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 Florida
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.
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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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