In New Hampshire, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Ladders (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by federal OSHA.
29 CFR 1926.1053 · New Hampshire
Ladders (Construction) Requirements in New Hampshire
Ladders (Construction) in New Hampshire: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
New HampshireConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 29 times in New Hampshire construction (7.7% of its construction citations there, the 4th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1053(b)(1) with 18 citations.
29
1926.1053 citations in New Hampshire construction, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph cited most in New Hampshire (18 citations)
10.4
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, New Hampshire, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in New Hampshire: 29 CFR 1926.1053, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-2629
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1053 in 21 inspections
$30,811
penalties, current amounts ($72,095 as first proposed)
7.7%
of the 375 federal construction citations in New Hampshire
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 29 times in inspections of New Hampshire construction employers. It ranked fourth of the 53 standards cited in them. By classification: 20 serious, 1 repeat, 8 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.1053(b)(1) (18), 1926.1053(b)(4) (3), 1926.1053(b)(13) (2).
Counted by HazComFast from the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforcement data (inspection and violation tables, retrieved September 26, 2026): citations issued October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025 on federal OSHA inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) in the state, deleted citations excluded, penalties at current amounts. OSHA's own cited-standards tool does not break federal states out; summed over every state, this count matches it within a few citations (6,778 for 1926.501, against 6,772). data.dol.gov
What federal OSHA is targeting in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no state OSHA plan for private-sector work, so there is no state rule to read. What differs here is which hazards federal OSHA schedules inspections for, as set out in published emphasis directives.
Regional Local Emphasis Program for Residential Construction
BOS-CPL-04-00-030 · Boston Regional Office · effective October 1, 2024
“This instruction applies to Federal OSHA, Boston Region jurisdiction.”
Residential construction is scheduled for programmed inspection across the whole Boston region, and the directive names the industries it targets by NAICS: 236115 and 236116 for new single-family and multifamily housing, and the 238 specialty trade codes including framing, roofing, siding, masonry and drywall. A residential framing or roofing crew here is not waiting for a complaint to be inspected; it is on a targeting list.
Falls and work deaths in New Hampshire, 2024
New Hampshire recorded 12 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 21 in 2023. BLS did not publish a separate 2024 count of deaths from falls, slips and trips for New Hampshire. Construction accounted for 5.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, New Hampshire, 2024
How New Hampshire Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053
New Hampshire has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.1053 is enforced by U.S. Department of Labor compliance officers using standard federal procedures and the federal penalty maximums.
In New Hampshire, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 went most often to Roofing Contractors (16) and Framing Contractors (5). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1053, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
Help and oversight in New Hampshire
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In New Hampshire, the program is WorkWISE NH (Keene State College). 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.
New Hampshire consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Concord Area Office (Concord).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
New Hampshire Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1053 (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) |
New Hampshire applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Federal OSHA reduces the proposed penalty for employer size, good faith and history (FOM CPL 02-00-164 Ch. 6). There was no inflation increase for 2026: the 2025 amounts remain in effect (OMB Memo M-26-11).
Key Ladders (Construction) Requirements 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 New Hampshire: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; New Hampshire has no State Plan.
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.
Most-Cited Ladders (Construction) Paragraphs in New Hampshire, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 29 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to New Hampshire construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.1053(b)(1) 18 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) 3 citations
“Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.”
- 3
1926.1053(b)(13) 2 citations
“The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.”
- 4
1926.1053(b)(12) 1 citation
“Ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment, except as provided in § 1926.955(b) and …”
- 5
1926.1053(b)(15) 1 citation
“Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use.”
- 6
1926.1053(b)(16) 1 citation
“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 …”
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
New Hampshire Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
375 of them in New Hampshire (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in New Hampshire, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (46), Framing Contractors (20) and New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (11), out of 150 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1053 in New Hampshire, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (16), Framing Contractors (5) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (4), of 29 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in New Hampshire, 2024: 10.4 per 100,000 full-time workers, 13th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 1.7).
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 Ladders (Construction) Compliance Tools
Ladders (Construction) FAQ for New Hampshire
Which New Hampshire construction trades are cited most under Ladders (Construction)?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 29 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to New Hampshire construction employers, most often to Roofing Contractors (16), Framing Contractors (5) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (4) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since New Hampshire has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 375 citations across 85 inspections of New Hampshire construction employers in FY2025 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1053 on a recurring basis.
How often is Ladders (Construction) cited on New Hampshire jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break New Hampshire out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 375 citations across 85 inspections of New Hampshire construction employers, 29 of them under 29 CFR 1926.1053 (HazComFast count). A Ladders (Construction) citation in New Hampshire can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. New Hampshire's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces ladder rules on New Hampshire construction sites?
Federal OSHA, not a state agency. New Hampshire has no state plan, so federal compliance officers from OSHA's Boston region inspect and cite ladder safety under 29 CFR 1926.1053, at federal penalty maximums.
Can I get free OSHA help in New Hampshire without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in New Hampshire is WorkWISE NH (Keene State College). 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 federal OSHA cite 29 CFR 1926.1053 in New Hampshire construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 29 times in 21 inspections of New Hampshire construction employers, with $30,811 in penalties at current amounts ($72,095 as first proposed), 7.7% of the 375 citations those inspections produced. It ranked fourth of the 53 standards cited. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
Ladders (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Ladders (Construction) in Other States
9 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 §12-110-3MichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140own maxMinnesotaMinn. 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 max
Other OSHA Standards in New Hampshire
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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