In Maryland, 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 Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH). Maryland sets its own maximums, equal to the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.451 · Maryland
Scaffolding Requirements in Maryland
Scaffolding in Maryland: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04, 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 1926.451 180 times in Maryland construction (4.4% of its construction citations there, the 8th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) with 46 citations.
180
1926.451 citations in Maryland construction, FY2025
(g)(1)(vii)
paragraph cited most in Maryland (46 citations)
7.6
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Maryland, 2024 (BLS)
Maryland 29 CFR 1926.451 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-08180
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 (FY2025)
$115,189
penalties for this standard
4.4%
of the state's 4,132 construction citations
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 180 times on Maryland construction jobsites with $115,189 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 4.4% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it eighth on Maryland's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Maryland's own rule says
“An employer shall develop, implement, and maintain an effective heat-related illness prevention and management plan in writing.”
Scaffolding is adopted as federal text in Maryland. The written-plan duty that sits alongside it is not: COMAR 09.12.32.04 requires a written heat-related illness prevention and management plan, and it requires the employer to monitor the heat index through the shift, by direct temperature and humidity measurement, National Weather Service data, or the NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. For work inside buildings without mechanical ventilation, direct measurement is mandatory; weather data will not do. Scaffold work on an unventilated interior is precisely that case.
29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04The duty itself differs from the federal text.
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 1926.451
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 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 180 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 1926.451 went most often to Siding Contractors (80) and Masonry Contractors (64). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04, 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 1926.451 (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 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 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 1926.451 are on the 29 CFR 1926.451 page.
Most-Cited Scaffolding Paragraphs in Maryland, FY2025
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) issued 180 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Maryland construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.451(g)(1)(vii) 46 citations
“For all scaffolds not otherwise specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(vi) of this section, each employee shall be protected by the use of personal fall arrest systems or …”
- 2
1926.451(f)(3) 20 citations
“Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold's structural …”
- 3
1926.451(f)(7) 16 citations
“Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities …”
- 4
1926.451(e)(1) 11 citations
“When scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet (0.6 m) above or below a point of access, portable ladders, hook-on ladders, attachable ladders, stair towers (scaffold stairways/towers), stairway-type …”
- 5
1926.451(h)(2)(ii) 11 citations
“A toeboard shall be erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above lower levels for a distance sufficient to protect employees below, except …”
- 6
1926.451(b)(1) 10 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:”
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 1926.451 in Maryland, FY2025: Siding Contractors (80), Masonry Contractors (64) and Framing Contractors (10), of 180 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 Scaffolding Compliance Tools
Scaffolding FAQ for Maryland
What are the penalties for 29 CFR 1926.451 violations in Maryland in 2026?
In Maryland, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.451 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 Scaffolding?
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) issued 180 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Maryland construction employers, most often to Siding Contractors (80), Masonry Contractors (64) and Framing Contractors (10) (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 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04, Maryland's own rule on this subject.
How often is Scaffolding 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). Scaffolding can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Maryland's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Maryland construction sites?
MOSH, the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health program, not federal OSHA. Maryland runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451, 180 times in FY2025 construction.
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 1926.451 in construction?
In FY2025, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 180 times on Maryland construction jobsites, with $115,189 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 4.4% of the 4,132 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 maxHawaiiHAR §12-110-50(b), with the fall restraint anchorage rule at (b)(2)MichiganMIOSHA 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 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)
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.