In Texas, 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 · Texas
Scaffolding Requirements in Texas
Scaffolding in Texas: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
TexasConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 250 times in Texas construction (8.2% of its construction citations there, the 4th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(g)(1) with 53 citations.
250
1926.451 citations in Texas construction, FY2025
(g)(1)
paragraph cited most in Texas (53 citations)
9.5
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Texas, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in Texas: 29 CFR 1926.451, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-26250
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 in 126 inspections
$703,309
penalties, current amounts ($937,054 as first proposed)
8.2%
of the 3,040 federal construction citations in Texas
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 250 times in inspections of Texas construction employers. It ranked fourth of the 105 standards cited in them. By classification: 241 serious, 8 repeat, 1 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.451(g)(1) (53), 1926.451(e)(1) (42), 1926.451(b)(1) (33).
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 Texas
Texas 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 Construction
DAL-CPL-04-00-001 · Dallas Regional Office · effective October 4, 2024
“This Instruction applies to all worksites in Oklahoma, and Texas, and those worksites in New Mexico that are under Federal OSHA jurisdiction.”
Construction across the whole of Oklahoma and Texas is programmed for inspection, targeting NAICS 236, 237 and 238: building construction, heavy and civil engineering, and the specialty trades. Neither state runs its own OSHA plan, so this directive is the closest thing either has to a state-level construction enforcement policy.
Regional Emphasis Program for Cranes used in Construction
DAL-CPL-04-00-002 · Dallas Regional Office · effective October 2, 2024
“This Instruction applies to all worksites in Oklahoma, Texas, and those worksites in New Mexico that are under Federal OSHA jurisdiction.”
Cranes in construction carry a second, separate program covering the same territory. Two programmed-inspection programs over the same worksites means a Texas or Oklahoma project with a crane on it can be selected under either, and an opening conference on one does not preclude the other.
Falls and work deaths in Texas, 2024
Texas recorded 557 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 564 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 77 of them (14%). Construction accounted for 128, 40 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Texas, 2024
How Texas Enforces 29 CFR 1926.451
Texas 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 Texas, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 went most often to Masonry Contractors (92) and Framing Contractors (36). 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 Texas
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Texas, the program is Texas OSHA Consultation (Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation). 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.
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Austin Area Office (Austin), the Corpus Christi Area Office (Corpus Christi), the Dallas Area Office (Richardson), the El Paso Area Office (El Paso), the Fort Worth Area Office (Fort Worth), the Houston North Area Office (Conroe), the Houston South Area Office (Houston), the Lubbock Area Office (Lubbock) and the San Antonio Area Office (San Antonio).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Texas 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) |
Texas 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 Texas: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; Texas 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 Texas, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 250 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Texas 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) 53 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) 42 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) 33 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(b)(2) 16 citations
“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.”
- 5
1926.451(c)(2)(iv) 14 citations
“Front-end loaders and similar pieces of equipment shall not be used to support scaffold platforms unless they have been specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use.”
- 6
1926.451(g)(1)(vii) 13 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 …”
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
Texas Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
3,040 of them in Texas (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Texas, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (502), Framing Contractors (475) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (196), out of 2,231 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.451 in Texas, FY2025: Masonry Contractors (92), Framing Contractors (36) and Siding Contractors (16), of 250 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Texas, 2024: 9.5 per 100,000 full-time workers, 18th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.9).
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 Texas
Which Texas construction trades are cited most under Scaffolding?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 250 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Texas construction employers, most often to Masonry Contractors (92), Framing Contractors (36) and Siding Contractors (16) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since Texas has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 3,040 citations across 1,339 inspections of Texas 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 Texas jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break Texas out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 3,040 citations across 1,339 inspections of Texas construction employers, 250 of them under 29 CFR 1926.451 (HazComFast count). A Scaffolding citation in Texas can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Texas's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Texas construction sites?
Federal OSHA. Texas has no State Plan, so a U.S. Department of Labor compliance officer out of OSHA's Dallas region inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451 directly, using the federal penalty maximums. A serious violation carries up to $16,550, and separate hazardous conditions can each be cited as separate items.
Which scaffold paragraphs does OSHA cite most in Texas?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 250 times in Texas construction. The paragraphs cited most were (g)(1), fall protection more than 10 feet up (53); (e)(1), access (42); and (b)(1), fully planked platforms (33) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Each is a separate citation.
Can I get free OSHA help in Texas without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Texas is Texas OSHA Consultation (Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation). 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 Texas construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 250 times in 126 inspections of Texas construction employers, with $703,309 in penalties at current amounts ($937,054 as first proposed), 8.2% of the 3,040 citations those inspections produced. It ranked fourth of the 105 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 Texas
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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