In Georgia, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Ladders (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by federal OSHA.
29 CFR 1926.1053 · Georgia
Ladders (Construction) Requirements in Georgia
Ladders (Construction) in Georgia: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
GeorgiaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 142 times in Georgia construction (9.2% of its construction citations there, the 3rd most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1053(b)(1) with 85 citations.
142
1926.1053 citations in Georgia construction, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph cited most in Georgia (85 citations)
10.2
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Georgia, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in Georgia: 29 CFR 1926.1053, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-26142
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1053 in 115 inspections
$318,597
penalties, current amounts ($377,743 as first proposed)
9.2%
of the 1,541 federal construction citations in Georgia
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 142 times in inspections of Georgia construction employers. It ranked third of the 61 standards cited in them. By classification: 136 serious, 2 repeat, 4 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.1053(b)(1) (85), 1926.1053(b)(13) (27), 1926.1053(b)(4) (16).
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 Georgia, 2024
Georgia recorded 170 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 192 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 24 of them (14%). Construction accounted for 38, 11 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Georgia, 2024
How Georgia Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053
Georgia has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.1053 is enforced by U.S. Department of Labor compliance officers using standard federal procedures and the federal penalty maximums.
In Georgia, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 went most often to Framing Contractors (84) and Roofing Contractors (32). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1053, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
Help and oversight in Georgia
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Georgia, the program is Georgia On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program (Georgia Tech, Enterprise Innovation Institute). 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 Atlanta East Area Office (Atlanta), the Atlanta West Area Office (Atlanta) and the Savannah Area Office (Savannah).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Georgia Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1053 (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) |
Georgia 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 Ladders (Construction) Requirements 29 CFR 1926.1053
- Extend ladder 3 feet above landing
- Secure at top and bottom
- Maintain 3-point contact
- Use non-slip feet on ladder base
- Inspect before each use
- Do not load beyond rated capacity
- Face ladder while climbing
Who enforces it in Georgia: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; Georgia has no State Plan.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1926.1053 are on the 29 CFR 1926.1053 page.
Most-Cited Ladders (Construction) Paragraphs in Georgia, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 142 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to Georgia construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.1053(b)(1) 85 citations
“When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing …”
- 2
1926.1053(b)(13) 27 citations
“The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.”
- 3
1926.1053(b)(4) 16 citations
“Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.”
- 4
1926.1053(b)(16) 5 citations
“Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or …”
- 5
1926.1053(b)(9) 3 citations
“The area around the top and bottom of ladders shall be kept clear.”
- 6
1926.1053(a)(2) 1 citation
“Ladder rungs, cleats, and steps shall be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use.”
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
Georgia Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
1,541 of them in Georgia (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Georgia, FY2025: Framing Contractors (290), Roofing Contractors (163) and Siding Contractors (99), out of 885 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1053 in Georgia, FY2025: Framing Contractors (84), Roofing Contractors (32) and Siding Contractors (9), of 142 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Georgia, 2024: 10.2 per 100,000 full-time workers, 14th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.4).
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 Ladders (Construction) Compliance Tools
Ladders (Construction) FAQ for Georgia
Which Georgia construction trades are cited most under Ladders (Construction)?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 142 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to Georgia construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (84), Roofing Contractors (32) and Siding Contractors (9) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since Georgia has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 1,541 citations across 711 inspections of Georgia construction employers in FY2025 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1053 on a recurring basis.
How often is Ladders (Construction) cited on Georgia jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break Georgia out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 1,541 citations across 711 inspections of Georgia construction employers, 142 of them under 29 CFR 1926.1053 (HazComFast count). A Ladders (Construction) citation in Georgia can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Georgia's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces ladder rules (1926.1053) on Georgia construction sites?
Federal OSHA. Georgia has no State Plan, so a compliance officer from OSHA's Atlanta region inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.1053 directly at the federal penalty maximums.
Which ladder paragraphs does OSHA cite most in Georgia?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 142 times in Georgia construction; the paragraphs cited most were (b)(1) (85), (b)(13) (27) and (b)(4) (16) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Paragraph (b)(1) requires the side rails of a portable ladder used to reach an upper landing to extend at least 3 feet above that landing.
Can I get free OSHA help in Georgia without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Georgia is Georgia On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program (Georgia Tech, Enterprise Innovation Institute). 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 1926.1053 in Georgia construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 142 times in 115 inspections of Georgia construction employers, with $318,597 in penalties at current amounts ($377,743 as first proposed), 9.2% of the 1,541 citations those inspections produced. It ranked third of the 61 standards cited. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
Ladders (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Ladders (Construction) in Other States
9 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.1053 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
California8 CCR §1675, which routes portable ladders to §3276 and fixed ladders to §3277-3278own maxHawaii29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-1 and §12-110-3MichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140own maxMinnesotaMinn. R. 5207.0200 and 5207.0210 (ships ladders)NevadaNAC 618.503, adopting ANSI A10.13-1989North Carolina29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201Oregon29 CFR 1926.1053 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0065own maxUtah29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by R614-1-4.A.4, with R614-1-5.C.1own max
Other OSHA Standards in Georgia
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.
Serious Violation
$16,550
per violation (max)
VS
HazComFast Pro
$199/mo
10 jobsites, unlimited chemicals, unlimited workers
New sign-ups are paused. The free tools below need no account, and customers can log in as usual.
Your account keeps working as usual. Cancel anytime.