In Maryland, 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 Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH). Maryland sets its own maximums, equal to the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Maryland
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Maryland
Stairways (Construction) in Maryland: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
MarylandConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)State-set maximums
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 34 times in Maryland construction (0.8% of its construction citations there, the 22nd most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1052(c)(1)(i) with 17 citations.
34
1926.1052 citations in Maryland construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(i)
paragraph cited most in Maryland (17 citations)
7.6
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Maryland, 2024 (BLS)
Maryland 29 CFR 1926.1052 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-0834
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (FY2025)
$7,098
penalties for this standard
0.8%
of the state's 4,132 construction citations
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 34 times on Maryland construction jobsites with $7,098 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 0.8% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it 22nd on Maryland's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Maryland's own rule says
Stairways in Maryland are the federal standard, unchanged: 19 inches to trigger a stairway or ladder, 30 to 50 degrees of pitch, stairrails once a flight has four risers or rises more than 30 inches. Maryland put its rulemaking effort into heat rather than into rewriting Subpart X, and the result for a contractor is simple: build the stairway to the federal specification, and plan the shift around COMAR 09.12.32 once the heat index reaches 80.
29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01The duty matches the federal text. Only the citation number differs.
Read in Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)'s own rule text · verified 2026-08-08
Falls and work deaths in Maryland, 2024
Maryland recorded 93 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 69 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 10 of them (11%). Construction accounted for 18, 3 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Maryland, 2024
How Maryland Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Maryland runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Maryland'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 adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01. Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 34 times in Maryland construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Maryland also sets its own civil-penalty maximums, equal to the federal baseline (see the penalty table below).
In Maryland, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 went most often to Framing Contractors (12) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (5). 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.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Maryland State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Maryland
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Maryland, the program is MOSH Consultation Services (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation). 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.
Maryland Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1052 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $16,550 | Maryland state maximum |
| Willful | $165,514 | Maryland state maximum |
| Repeat | $165,514 | Maryland state maximum |
| Failure to abate | $16,550/day | Maryland state maximum per day |
Maryland sets its penalties under Labor and Employment §5-810, and the Commissioner of Labor and Industry adjusts them each July 15 on the CPI-U. MOSH's current amounts, effective July 15, 2025: up to $16,550 per violation, up to $16,550 for each day a violation is not corrected, up to $165,514 per willful or repeated violation, and a minimum of $16,550 per willful violation. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) 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 Maryland: Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) 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 Maryland, FY2025
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) issued 34 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Maryland 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)(i) 17 citations
“At least one handrail; and”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 14 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 3
1926.1052(c)(12) 2 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.”
- 4
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:”
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
Maryland Safety & Enforcement Profile
4,132
FY2025 construction citations
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Maryland, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (274), Framing Contractors (149) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (63), out of 798 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Maryland, FY2025: Framing Contractors (12), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (5) and Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (5), of 34 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Maryland, 2024: 7.6 per 100,000 full-time workers, 31st highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.2).
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 Maryland
What are the penalties for 29 CFR 1926.1052 violations in Maryland in 2026?
In Maryland, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1052 carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation, and a willful or repeat violation up to $165,514. Maryland sets its own maximums, equal to the federal baseline. Maryland sets its penalties under Labor and Employment §5-810, and the Commissioner of Labor and Industry adjusts them each July 15 on the CPI-U. MOSH's current amounts, effective July 15, 2025: up to $16,550 per violation, up to $16,550 for each day a violation is not corrected, up to $165,514 per willful or repeated violation, and a minimum of $16,550 per willful violation. Each distinct violation can be cited as its own item. (Source: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. §5-810; verified 2026-10-05.)
Which Maryland construction trades are cited most under Stairways (Construction)?
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) issued 34 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Maryland construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (12), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (5) and Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (5) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) issued 4,132 construction citations across 621 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1052 on a recurring basis.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Maryland jobsites?
In FY2025, Maryland's state plan (Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)) issued 4,132 construction citations across 621 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Maryland's fatality figures are shown above.
When does MOSH require handrails on a Maryland 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 Maryland these are enforced by MOSH, the state's own OSHA program.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Maryland?
MOSH, the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health program. Maryland 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 Maryland without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Maryland is MOSH Consultation Services (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation). 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 Maryland cite 29 CFR 1926.1052 in construction?
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 34 times on Maryland construction jobsites, with $7,098 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 0.8% of the 4,132 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
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 Maryland
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, Maryland
$16,550
per violation (max)
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