In Michigan, a serious Ladders (Construction) violation carries a maximum penalty of $7,000 per violation in 2026, rising to $70,000 for a willful or repeat violation. Ladders (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), under MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140 rather than 29 CFR 1926.1053. Michigan sets its own maximums, below the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.1053 · Michigan
Ladders (Construction) Requirements in Michigan
Ladders (Construction) in Michigan: 2026 penalties, who enforces MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
MichiganConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)State-set maximums
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to Michigan construction employers in FY2025: on this subject the state enforces MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140, which differs from the federal text.
0
1926.1053 citations in Michigan construction, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (1,910 citations)
9.9
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Michigan, 2024 (BLS)
What Michigan's own rule says
“A manufactured portable metal ladder shall not be used for electrical work or where the ladder or an employee may contact electrical conductors.”
Part 11 is Michigan's own ladder standard: it does not adopt 1926 Subpart X at all. Construction criteria come from ANSI A14.1, A14.2, A14.3 and A14.5 adopted by reference at R 408.41102a. Two rules go beyond the federal text: R 408.41124(6) bans manufactured portable metal ladders outright for electrical work, where 1926.1053(b)(12) only requires non-conductive side rails; and R 408.41124(3) requires a ladder pitched steeper than one horizontal to five vertical to be secured at the top against tipping backward. A ladder citation in Michigan carries an R 408.411xx number, not a 1926 one.
MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Falls and work deaths in Michigan, 2024
Michigan recorded 152 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 166 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 23 of them (15%). Construction accounted for 28, 12 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Michigan, 2024
How Michigan Enforces Ladders (Construction)
Michigan runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Michigan's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 in Michigan construction in FY2025. Michigan also sets its own civil-penalty maximums, below the federal baseline (see the penalty table below).
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Michigan State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Michigan
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Michigan, the program is Consultation, Education and Training Division (Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs). 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.
Michigan Penalty Amounts for Ladders (Construction) (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $7,000 | Michigan state maximum |
| Willful | $70,000 | Michigan state maximum |
| Repeat | $70,000 | Michigan state maximum |
| Failure to abate | $7,000/day | Michigan state maximum per day |
Michigan's MIOSH Act (MCL 408.1035) sets its own maximums, unchanged since 1990 and well below the federal amounts: serious up to $7,000; willful/repeat up to $70,000 (minimum $5,000 per willful). Legislation to raise these to federal levels has been proposed but was not enacted as of mid-2026. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Ladders (Construction) Requirements Under the Federal Standard 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 Michigan: Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) 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 1926.1053 are on the 29 CFR 1926.1053 page.
Ladders (Construction) Citations in Michigan, FY2025
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to Michigan construction employers in FY2025. On this subject the state's rule is MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most nationwide:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 2,759 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053.
- 1
1926.1053(b)(1) 1,910 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)(4) 215 citations
“Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.”
- 3
1926.1053(b)(13) 196 citations
“The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.”
- 4
1926.1053(b)(16) 81 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)(22) 79 citations
“An employee shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall.”
- 6
1926.1053(b)(6) 66 citations
“Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: every federal OSHA citation issued in FY2025 to a construction employer (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Michigan Safety & Enforcement Profile
4,005
FY2025 construction citations
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Michigan, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (353), Roofing Contractors (182) and Framing Contractors (172), out of 1,931 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Construction fatality rate in Michigan, 2024: 9.9 per 100,000 full-time workers, 16th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.3).
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. 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 Michigan
What are the penalties for Ladders (Construction) violations in Michigan in 2026?
In Michigan, a serious Ladders (Construction) violation carries a maximum penalty of $7,000 per violation, and a willful or repeat violation up to $70,000. Michigan sets its own maximums, below the federal baseline. Michigan's MIOSH Act (MCL 408.1035) sets its own maximums, unchanged since 1990 and well below the federal amounts: serious up to $7,000; willful/repeat up to $70,000 (minimum $5,000 per willful). Legislation to raise these to federal levels has been proposed but was not enacted as of mid-2026. Each distinct violation can be cited as its own item. (Source: MIOSH Act, MCL 408.1035; verified 2026-10-05.)
Which Michigan construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Michigan in FY2025 were Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (353), Roofing Contractors (182) and Framing Contractors (172), out of 1,931 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to Michigan construction employers that year. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued 4,005 construction citations across 1,265 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against MIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140, Michigan's own rule on this subject.
How often is Ladders (Construction) cited on Michigan jobsites?
In FY2025, Michigan's state plan (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)) issued 4,005 construction citations across 1,265 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Ladders (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Michigan's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces ladder rules on Michigan construction sites?
MIOSHA, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, within LEO, not federal OSHA. Michigan runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan and enforces ladder safety under its own Construction Safety Standard Part 11 rather than the federal 1926.1053.
Which rule does MIOSHA cite for ladders?
MIOSHA cites ladder violations under Construction Safety Standard Part 11 (R 408.41101 to R 408.41140), at penalty caps of $7,000 (serious) and $70,000 (willful or repeat).
Can I get free OSHA help in Michigan without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Michigan is Consultation, Education and Training Division (Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs). 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.
Ladders (Construction) Guides & Resources
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Related standards
Ladders (Construction) in Other States
8 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 §12-110-3MinnesotaMinn. 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 maxWashingtonWAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040)
Other OSHA Standards in Michigan
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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Serious violation, Michigan
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