In Oregon, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) carries a maximum penalty of $17,004 per violation in 2026, rising to $170,046 for a willful or repeat violation. Scaffolding is enforced for private construction employers by Oregon OSHA. Oregon sets its own maximums, above the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.451 · Oregon
Scaffolding Requirements in Oregon
Scaffolding in Oregon: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0071, -0073 and -0074, 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 1926.451 53 times in Oregon construction, the 3rd most-cited standard there (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards).
53
1926.451 citations in Oregon construction, FY2025 (OSHA tool)
(g)(1)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (426 citations)
5.8
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Oregon, 2024 (BLS)
Oregon 29 CFR 1926.451 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-0853
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 (FY2025)
$74,007
penalties for this standard
3%
of the state's 1,752 construction citations
In FY2025, Oregon OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 53 times on Oregon construction jobsites with $74,007 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 3% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it third on Oregon's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Oregon's own rule says
“When using manually propelled elevating aerial platforms as covered by ANSI/SIA A92.3-1990, the manufacturer's operating manual must be with the equipment.”
Oregon adopts the federal scaffolding subdivision and layers three rules of its own on elevating work platforms: 437-003-0071 for manually propelled aerial platforms, 437-003-0073 for boom-supported platforms and 437-003-0074 for scissor lifts. Each requires the manufacturer's operating manual to be physically with the equipment and its instructions followed, tied to the relevant ANSI/SIA A92 standard. Federal 1926.451 says nothing about keeping the manual on the machine. In Oregon an inspector can ask to see it.
29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0071, -0073 and -0074The duty itself differs from the federal text.
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 1926.451
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 1926.451 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0071, -0073 and -0074, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). OSHA's cited-standards tool shows 53 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 in Oregon construction in FY2025. Oregon also sets its own civil-penalty maximums, above the federal baseline (see the penalty table below).
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0071, -0073 and -0074, 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 1926.451 (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 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 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 1926.451 are on the 29 CFR 1926.451 page.
Scaffolding Citations in Oregon, FY2025
OSHA's cited-standards tool shows 53 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 in Oregon construction in FY2025, without a breakdown by paragraph. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most nationwide:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 2,153 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451.
- 1
1926.451(g)(1) 426 citations
“Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1) (i) through …”
- 2
1926.451(e)(1) 228 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 …”
- 3
1926.451(b)(1) 190 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:”
- 4
1926.451(g)(1)(vii) 174 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 …”
- 5
1926.451(g)(4)(i) 99 citations
“Guardrail systems shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms. Guardrail systems shall be installed before the scaffold is released for use by employees other …”
- 6
1926.451(c)(2) 93 citations
“Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.”
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
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).
- 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. 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 Oregon
What are the penalties for 29 CFR 1926.451 violations in Oregon in 2026?
In Oregon, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.451 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 inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Oregon in FY2025 were 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 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). 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 1926.451 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0071, -0073 and -0074, Oregon's own rule on this subject.
How often is Scaffolding 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). Scaffolding can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Oregon's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Oregon construction sites?
Oregon OSHA (OR-OSHA), a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, not federal OSHA. Oregon runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451, 53 times in FY2025 construction.
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 1926.451 in construction?
In FY2025, Oregon OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 53 times on Oregon construction jobsites, with $74,007 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 3% of the 1,752 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.
Related standards
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)Maryland29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.04own maxMichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 12, R 408.41201, with R 408.41210(2)own maxNevadaNAC 618.507, with the construction project definition at NAC 618.494Utah29 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 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)
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.