In Vermont, Scaffolding is enforced for private construction employers by Vermont OSHA (VOSHA). Vermont sets its own penalty maximums under 21 V.S.A. §210, adjusted each year; this page does not reproduce the current state table. For reference, the federal maximums are $16,550 for a serious violation and $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation.
29 CFR 1926.451 · Vermont
Scaffolding Requirements in Vermont
Scaffolding in Vermont: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
VermontConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Vermont OSHA (VOSHA)
In FY2025, Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 16 times in Vermont construction (17.6% of its construction citations there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(g)(1) with 3 citations.
16
1926.451 citations in Vermont construction, FY2025
(g)(1)
paragraph cited most in Vermont (3 citations)
2.2
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries, Vermont, 2024 (BLS)
Vermont 29 CFR 1926.451 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-0816
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 (FY2025)
$14,049
penalties for this standard
17.6%
of the state's 91 construction citations
In FY2025, Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 16 times on Vermont construction jobsites with $14,049 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 17.6% of every construction citation the state issued that year.
What Vermont's own rule says
Scaffolding is adopted federal text in Vermont, with the ten-foot fall protection trigger and the competent-person duties intact, and no Vermont amendment. VOSHA does publish separate adopted documents for the construction silica standard and for cranes and derricks in construction, so scaffold work that involves cutting, grinding or lifting should be checked against those documents rather than assumed to sit under Subpart L alone.
29 CFR 1926.451 as adopted by VOSHAThe duty matches the federal text. Only the citation number differs.
Read in Vermont OSHA (VOSHA)'s own rule text · verified 2026-08-09
Falls and work deaths in Vermont, 2024
Vermont recorded 8 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 16 in 2023. BLS did not publish a separate 2024 count of deaths from falls, slips and trips for Vermont. Construction accounted for 1.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Vermont, 2024
How Vermont Enforces 29 CFR 1926.451
Vermont runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Vermont OSHA (VOSHA), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Vermont'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 by VOSHA. Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 16 times in Vermont construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Vermont sets its own civil-penalty maximums under 21 V.S.A. §210.
In Vermont, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 went most often to Roofing Contractors (10) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (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.
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Help and oversight in Vermont
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Vermont, the program is Project WorkSAFE (Vermont Department of Labor). 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.
Federal Penalty Amounts, for Reference (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) |
Vermont sets its own maximums under 21 V.S.A. §210. The amounts written into the statute are the federal 2017 base (willful or repeat not more than $126,749 and not less than $5,000; serious and other-than-serious up to $12,675; failure to abate up to $12,675 for each day it continues; posting up to $12,675), and §210(a)(9) has the Commissioner adjust them on the CPI-U and publish the result on or before January 1 each year. The latest table on VOSHA's penalty page (read October 2, 2026) is its 2024 adjustment, effective February 1, 2024: serious up to $16,131 and willful up to $161,323. The page shows no 2025 or 2026 table, so the federal maximums shown here are the upper bound a Vermont employer should plan against. Whatever the year's figure, §210(a)(4) sets failure to abate at the serious rate per day, not at the willful ceiling. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) 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 Vermont: Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) 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.
Most-Cited Scaffolding Paragraphs in Vermont, FY2025
Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) issued 16 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Vermont 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) 3 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) 2 citations
“Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.”
- 3
1926.451(f)(7) 2 citations
“Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities …”
- 4
1926.451(a)(6) 1 citation
“Scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be constructed and loaded in accordance with that design. Non-mandatory appendix A to this subpart contains examples of …”
- 5
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:”
- 6
1926.451(c)(2)(ii) 1 citation
“Unstable objects shall not be used to support scaffolds or platform units.”
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
Vermont Safety & Enforcement Profile
91
FY2025 construction citations
Vermont OSHA (VOSHA)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Vermont, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (13), Roofing Contractors (7) and Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (5), out of 57 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.451 in Vermont, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (10), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (5) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1), of 16 citations.
- Fatal injury rate in Vermont, 2024: 2.2 per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries. BLS did not publish a 2024 construction rate here.
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 Vermont
What are the penalties for 29 CFR 1926.451 violations in Vermont in 2026?
Vermont sets its own maximums under 21 V.S.A. §210. The amounts written into the statute are the federal 2017 base (willful or repeat not more than $126,749 and not less than $5,000; serious and other-than-serious up to $12,675; failure to abate up to $12,675 for each day it continues; posting up to $12,675), and §210(a)(9) has the Commissioner adjust them on the CPI-U and publish the result on or before January 1 each year. The latest table on VOSHA's penalty page (read October 2, 2026) is its 2024 adjustment, effective February 1, 2024: serious up to $16,131 and willful up to $161,323. The page shows no 2025 or 2026 table, so the federal maximums shown here are the upper bound a Vermont employer should plan against. Whatever the year's figure, §210(a)(4) sets failure to abate at the serious rate per day, not at the willful ceiling. For reference, the federal maximums are $16,550 for a serious violation and $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Each distinct violation can be cited as its own item. (Source: 21 V.S.A. §210; 29 CFR 1903.15(d); verified 2026-10-05.)
Which Vermont construction trades are cited most under Scaffolding?
In FY2025, Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) issued 16 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Vermont construction employers, most often to Roofing Contractors (10), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (5) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (1) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) issued 91 construction citations across 31 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.451 on a recurring basis.
How often is Scaffolding cited on Vermont jobsites?
In FY2025, Vermont's state plan (Vermont OSHA (VOSHA)) issued 91 construction citations across 31 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Scaffolding can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Vermont's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Vermont construction sites?
VOSHA, the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration, not federal OSHA. Vermont runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451, 16 times in FY2025 construction.
Can I get free OSHA help in Vermont without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Vermont is Project WorkSAFE (Vermont Department of Labor). 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 Vermont cite 29 CFR 1926.451 in construction?
In FY2025, Vermont OSHA (VOSHA) cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 16 times on Vermont construction jobsites, with $14,049 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 17.6% of the 91 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.
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 Vermont
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, federal maximum
$16,550
per violation (max)
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