In Hawaii, 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 Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH).
29 CFR 1926.451 · Hawaii
Scaffolding Requirements in Hawaii
Scaffolding in Hawaii: 2026 penalties, who enforces HAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2), 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 1926.451 12 times in Hawaii construction (4.8% of its construction citations there, the 6th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(b)(1) with 4 citations.
12
1926.451 citations in Hawaii construction, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph cited most in Hawaii (4 citations)
2.7
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries, Hawaii, 2024 (BLS)
Hawaii 29 CFR 1926.451 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-0812
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 (FY2025)
$16,097
penalties for this standard
4.8%
of the state's 248 construction citations
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 12 times on Hawaii construction jobsites with $16,097 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 4.8% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it sixth on Hawaii's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Hawaii's own rule says
“the anchorages for a fall restraint system shall be capable of supporting at least 3,000 lbs (4.5 kN) per employee attached. Either body belts or body harnesses shall be used in fall restraint systems.”
Hawaii incorporates Part 1926 at the 2017 edition and then adds state-specific standards that supersede it where the two meet. One of them sets an anchorage rating for fall restraint (3,000 pounds per attached employee) where the federal criteria at 1926.502 address fall arrest anchorages and leave restraint anchorages to the general requirement. Hawaii also allows either a body belt or a harness in a restraint system, and requires perimeter safety cables to meet the guardrail criteria. On a scaffold where restraint is used instead of arrest, that anchorage number is the one to design to.
HAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2)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 1926.451
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 HAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2), which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 12 times in Hawaii construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Hawaii applies the federal penalty maximums.
In Hawaii, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 went most often to New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (4) and Framing Contractors (3). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against HAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2), 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 1926.451 (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) |
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 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 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 1926.451 are on the 29 CFR 1926.451 page.
Most-Cited Scaffolding Paragraphs in Hawaii, FY2025
Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued 12 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Hawaii construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.451(b)(1) 4 citations
“Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports as follows:”
- 2
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.”
- 3
1926.451(b)(1)(i) 1 citation
“Each platform unit (e.g., scaffold plank, fabricated plank, fabricated deck, or fabricated platform) shall be installed so that the space between adjacent units and the space between the …”
- 4
1926.451(b)(2) 1 citation
“Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section, each scaffold platform and walkway shall be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide.”
- 5
1926.451(b)(3) 1 citation
“Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(3) (i) and (ii) of this section, the front edge of all platforms shall not be more than 14 inches (36 cm) from …”
- 6
1926.451(e)(8) 1 citation
“Direct access to or from another surface shall be used only when the scaffold is not more than 14 inches (36 cm) horizontally and not more than 24 …”
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 1926.451 in Hawaii, FY2025: New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (4), Framing Contractors (3) and Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors (2), of 12 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 Scaffolding Compliance Tools
Scaffolding FAQ for Hawaii
Which Hawaii construction trades are cited most under Scaffolding?
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued 12 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Hawaii construction employers, most often to New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (4), Framing Contractors (3) and Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors (2) (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 HAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2), Hawaii's own rule on this subject.
How often is Scaffolding 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). Scaffolding can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Hawaii's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Hawaii construction sites?
HIOSH, the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, not federal OSHA. Hawaii runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451, 12 times in FY2025 construction.
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 1926.451 in construction?
In FY2025, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 12 times on Hawaii construction jobsites, with $16,097 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 4.8% of the 248 construction citations the state issued that year. (Source: OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23; verified 2026-08-08.)
Scaffolding Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Scaffolding in Other States
7 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 maxMaryland29 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 maxAlabama
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.
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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