In Hawaii, 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 Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH).
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Hawaii
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Hawaii
Stairways (Construction) in Hawaii: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c), the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
HawaiiConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 7 times in Hawaii construction (2.8% of its construction citations there, the 10th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) with 3 citations.
7
1926.1052 citations in Hawaii construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(ii)
paragraph cited most in Hawaii (3 citations)
2.7
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries, Hawaii, 2024 (BLS)
Hawaii 29 CFR 1926.1052 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-087
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (FY2025)
$6,066
penalties for this standard
2.8%
of the state's 248 construction citations
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 7 times on Hawaii construction jobsites with $6,066 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 2.8% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it tenth on Hawaii's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Hawaii's own rule says
Stairways are incorporated federal text in Hawaii: 19 inches to trigger a stairway or ladder, 30 to 50 degrees of pitch, stairrails from four risers or a 30-inch rise. Hawaii did not rewrite Subpart X. The duty that changes the paperwork is §12-110-3: written records of the daily safety and health inspections, on a project where the number of designated inspectors scales with headcount. A stairway defect found on a Tuesday is expected to appear in a record, and projects of fewer than three persons are the only ones excused.
29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c)The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Read in Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)'s own rule text · verified 2026-08-09
Falls and work deaths in Hawaii, 2024
Hawaii recorded 16 fatal work injuries in 2024, the same as in 2023. BLS did not publish a separate 2024 count of deaths from falls, slips and trips for Hawaii. Construction accounted for 4.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Hawaii, 2024
How Hawaii Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Hawaii runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Hawaii'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 incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c), which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 7 times in Hawaii construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Hawaii applies the federal penalty maximums.
In Hawaii, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 went most often to Industrial Building Construction (4) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c), before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Hawaii State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Hawaii
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Hawaii, the program is Consultation & Training Branch (Department of Labor & Industrial Relations). 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.
Hawaii 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) |
Hawaii applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) 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 Hawaii: Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) 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.
Most-Cited Stairways (Construction) Paragraphs in Hawaii, FY2025
Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued 7 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Hawaii 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)(12) 3 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.”
- 3
1926.1052(b)(2) 1 citation
“Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on skeleton metal stairs where permanent treads and/or landings are to be installed at a later date, unless the stairs …”
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
Hawaii Safety & Enforcement Profile
248
FY2025 construction citations
Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Hawaii, FY2025: New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (19), Framing Contractors (13) and Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (12), out of 123 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Hawaii, FY2025: Industrial Building Construction (4), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1) and Framing Contractors (1), of 7 citations.
- Fatal injury rate in Hawaii, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries. BLS did not publish a 2024 construction rate here.
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 Hawaii
Which Hawaii construction trades are cited most under Stairways (Construction)?
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued 7 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Hawaii construction employers, most often to Industrial Building Construction (4), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1) and Framing Contractors (1) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued 248 construction citations across 91 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1052 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-3(c), Hawaii's own rule on this subject.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Hawaii jobsites?
In FY2025, Hawaii's state plan (Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)) issued 248 construction citations across 91 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Hawaii's fatality figures are shown above.
When does HIOSH require handrails on a Hawaii 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 Hawaii these are enforced by HIOSH, within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Hawaii?
HIOSH, the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Hawaii 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 Hawaii without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Hawaii is Consultation & Training Branch (Department of Labor & Industrial Relations). 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 Hawaii cite 29 CFR 1926.1052 in construction?
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 7 times on Hawaii construction jobsites, with $6,066 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 2.8% of the 248 construction citations the state issued that year. (Source: OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23; verified 2026-08-08.)
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 postingArizona29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-601California8 CCR §1626own maxMichiganMIOSHA 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 Hawaii
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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