In South Dakota, 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 federal OSHA.
29 CFR 1926.451 · South Dakota
Scaffolding Requirements in South Dakota
Scaffolding in South Dakota: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
South DakotaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 22 times in South Dakota construction (5.9% of its construction citations there, the 5th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(g)(1) with 8 citations.
22
1926.451 citations in South Dakota construction, FY2025
(g)(1)
paragraph cited most in South Dakota (8 citations)
32.2
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, South Dakota, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in South Dakota: 29 CFR 1926.451, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-2622
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 in 17 inspections
$51,116
penalties, current amounts ($69,779 as first proposed)
5.9%
of the 373 federal construction citations in South Dakota
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 22 times in inspections of South Dakota construction employers. It ranked fifth of the 39 standards cited in them. By classification: 20 serious, 2 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.451(g)(1) (8), 1926.451(c)(2)(v) (6), 1926.451(e)(1) (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 South Dakota
South Dakota 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 Emphasis Program for Roadway Work Zone Activities
DEN-CPL-04-00-004 · Denver Regional Office · effective October 9, 2024
“This Instruction applies to all street and highway work zones within each Area Office's jurisdiction within the Denver Region.”
The Denver region targets street and highway work zones by NAICS 237310 (highway, street and bridge construction) to reduce serious injuries and fatalities during work zone activity. For a contractor in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota or South Dakota it means roadway work is selected for inspection on the nature of the site rather than on a reported hazard, and bridge and overpass work brings the fall and scaffold standards in with it.
Falls and work deaths in South Dakota, 2024
South Dakota recorded 29 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 20 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 3 of them (10%). Construction accounted for 9.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, South Dakota, 2024
How South Dakota Enforces 29 CFR 1926.451
South Dakota has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.451 is enforced by U.S. Department of Labor compliance officers using standard federal procedures and the federal penalty maximums.
In South Dakota, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 went most often to Framing Contractors (10) and Roofing Contractors (5). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.451, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
Help and oversight in South Dakota
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In South Dakota, the program is South Dakota State University (Engineering Extension - OSHA Consultation). 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.
South Dakota consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Sioux Falls Area Office (Sioux Falls).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
South Dakota Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.451 (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) |
South Dakota 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 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 South Dakota: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; South Dakota has no State Plan.
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 South Dakota, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 22 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to South Dakota 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) 8 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(c)(2)(v) 6 citations
“Fork-lifts shall not be used to support scaffold platforms unless the entire platform is attached to the fork and the fork-lift is not moved horizontally while the platform …”
- 3
1926.451(e)(1) 2 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 …”
- 4
1926.451(b)(1) 1 citation
“Each platform on all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports as follows:”
- 5
1926.451(b)(2) 1 citation
“Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section, each scaffold platform and walkway shall be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide.”
- 6
1926.451(b)(4) 1 citation
“Each end of a platform, unless cleated or otherwise restrained by hooks or equivalent means, shall extend over the centerline of its support at least 6 inches (15 …”
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
South Dakota Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
373 of them in South Dakota (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in South Dakota, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (44), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (28) and Framing Contractors (26), out of 202 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.451 in South Dakota, FY2025: Framing Contractors (10), Roofing Contractors (5) and Siding Contractors (4), of 22 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in South Dakota, 2024: 32.2 per 100,000 full-time workers, 1st highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 5.8).
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 South Dakota
Which South Dakota construction trades are cited most under Scaffolding?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 22 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to South Dakota construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (10), Roofing Contractors (5) and Siding Contractors (4) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since South Dakota has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 373 citations across 110 inspections of South Dakota construction employers in FY2025 (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.451 on a recurring basis.
How often is Scaffolding cited on South Dakota jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break South Dakota out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 373 citations across 110 inspections of South Dakota construction employers, 22 of them under 29 CFR 1926.451 (HazComFast count). A Scaffolding citation in South Dakota can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. South Dakota's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules on South Dakota construction sites?
Federal OSHA, not a state agency. South Dakota has no state plan, so federal compliance officers from OSHA's Denver region inspect and cite scaffolding under 29 CFR 1926.451, at federal penalty maximums.
Can I get free OSHA help in South Dakota without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in South Dakota is South Dakota State University (Engineering Extension - OSHA Consultation). 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 1926.451 in South Dakota construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 22 times in 17 inspections of South Dakota construction employers, with $51,116 in penalties at current amounts ($69,779 as first proposed), 5.9% of the 373 citations those inspections produced. It ranked fifth of the 39 standards cited. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
Scaffolding Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Scaffolding in Other States
8 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 618.494Oregon29 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 max
Other OSHA Standards in South Dakota
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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