In Oregon, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $17,004 per violation in 2026, rising to $170,046 for a willful or repeat violation. Stairways (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by Oregon OSHA. Oregon sets its own maximums, above the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Oregon
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Oregon
Stairways (Construction) in Oregon: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
OregonConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Oregon OSHAState-set maximums
In FY2025, Oregon OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 34 times in Oregon construction (1.9% of its construction citations there, the 5th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1052(c)(1)(i) with 14 citations.
34
1926.1052 citations in Oregon construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(i)
paragraph cited most in Oregon (14 citations)
5.8
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Oregon, 2024 (BLS)
Oregon 29 CFR 1926.1052 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-0834
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (FY2025)
$47,344
penalties for this standard
1.9%
of the state's 1,752 construction citations
In FY2025, Oregon OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 34 times on Oregon construction jobsites with $47,344 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 1.9% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it fifth on Oregon's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Oregon's own rule says
Oregon adopts the federal stairways section unchanged. Worth knowing because its neighbor did not survive: in the same Subdivision X, Oregon added OAR 437-003-0065 for extension ladders, and in Subdivision M it repealed the fall-protection sections outright. Stairways is the one where the federal number and the federal duty both still stand.
29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted (published 8/23/91, FR vol. 56, no. 164)The duty matches the federal text. Only the citation number differs.
Falls and work deaths in Oregon, 2024
Oregon recorded 52 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 54 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 7 of them (13%). Construction accounted for 8.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Oregon, 2024
How Oregon Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Oregon runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Oregon OSHA, which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Oregon'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 (published 8/23/91, FR vol. 56, no. 164). Oregon OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 34 times in Oregon construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Oregon also sets its own civil-penalty maximums, above the federal baseline (see the penalty table below).
In Oregon, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 went most often to Framing Contractors (15) 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 Oregon State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Oregon
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Oregon, the program is Oregon OSHA Consultation Services (Department of Consumer & Business Services). 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.
Oregon Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1052 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $17,004 | Oregon state maximum |
| Willful | $170,046 | Oregon state maximum |
| Repeat | $170,046 | Oregon state maximum |
| Failure to abate | State schedule | Oregon publishes its own failure-to-abate amount; see the state schedule |
Oregon OSHA sets its own maximums (ORS 654.086(4), OAR 437-001-0142; adjusted annually by Bulletin 1-2026, effective Jan 1, 2026): serious up to $17,004; willful/repeat up to $170,046. Where a violation caused or contributed to a work-related death, Oregon sets a mandatory minimum as well as a higher ceiling, and the two differ by violation class: a serious violation carries $21,765 to $54,412, and a repeat or willful violation carries $54,412 to $272,058 (Bulletin 1-2026 penalty tables). A willful or repeat violation that caused or contributed to a death has its own tier: up to $272,058 in 2026 (Bulletin 1-2026). Amounts are ceilings per violation. Oregon OSHA 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 Oregon: Oregon OSHA inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Oregon OSHA 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 Oregon, FY2025
Oregon OSHA issued 34 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Oregon construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $17,004.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(1)(i) 14 citations
“At least one handrail; and”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1) 6 citations
“Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped with:”
- 3
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 6 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 4
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.”
- 5
1926.1052(c)(4) 2 citations
“Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent intermediate structural members, shall be provided between the top rail of the stairrail system and the stairway steps.”
- 6
1926.1052(b)(2) 1 citation
“Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on skeleton metal stairs where permanent treads and/or landings are to be installed at a later date, unless the stairs …”
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
Oregon Safety & Enforcement Profile
1,752
FY2025 construction citations
Oregon OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Oregon, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (264), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (246) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (81), out of 1,207 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Oregon, FY2025: Framing Contractors (15), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (5) and Drywall and Insulation Contractors (3), of 34 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Oregon, 2024: 5.8 per 100,000 full-time workers, 40th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 2.6).
- Oregon OSHA's permanent heat illness prevention rule, OAR 437-002-0156, took effect June 15, 2022. It is triggered when the heat index equals or exceeds 80°F, indoors or outdoors. (OAR 437-002-0156(1) and its history note (OSHA 3-2022))
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 Oregon
What are the penalties for 29 CFR 1926.1052 violations in Oregon in 2026?
In Oregon, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1052 carries a maximum penalty of $17,004 per violation, and a willful or repeat violation up to $170,046. Oregon sets its own maximums, above the federal baseline. Oregon OSHA sets its own maximums (ORS 654.086(4), OAR 437-001-0142; adjusted annually by Bulletin 1-2026, effective Jan 1, 2026): serious up to $17,004; willful/repeat up to $170,046. Where a violation caused or contributed to a work-related death, Oregon sets a mandatory minimum as well as a higher ceiling, and the two differ by violation class: a serious violation carries $21,765 to $54,412, and a repeat or willful violation carries $54,412 to $272,058 (Bulletin 1-2026 penalty tables). A willful or repeat violation that caused or contributed to a death has its own tier: up to $272,058 in 2026 (Bulletin 1-2026). Each distinct violation can be cited as its own item. (Source: ORS 654.086(4) + OAR 437-001-0142; verified 2026-10-05.)
Which Oregon construction trades are cited most under Stairways (Construction)?
In FY2025, Oregon OSHA issued 34 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Oregon construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (15), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (5) and Drywall and Insulation Contractors (3) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Oregon OSHA inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Oregon OSHA issued 1,752 construction citations across 729 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 Oregon jobsites?
In FY2025, Oregon's state plan (Oregon OSHA) issued 1,752 construction citations across 729 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Oregon's fatality figures are shown above.
When does Oregon OSHA require handrails on a 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 Oregon these are enforced by Oregon OSHA, which cited 1926.1052 34 times in FY2025 construction.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Oregon?
Oregon OSHA (OR-OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. Oregon 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 Oregon without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Oregon is Oregon OSHA Consultation Services (Department of Consumer & Business Services). 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 Oregon cite 29 CFR 1926.1052 in construction?
In FY2025, Oregon OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 34 times on Oregon construction jobsites, with $47,344 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 1.9% of the 1,752 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.
Related standards
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 Oregon
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, Oregon
$17,004
per violation (max)
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