In Virginia, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $16,287 per violation in 2026, rising to $162,849 for a willful or repeat violation. Stairways (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH). Virginia sets its own maximums, below the federal baseline.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Virginia
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Virginia
Stairways (Construction) in Virginia: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
VirginiaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)State-set maximums
In FY2025, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 13 times in Virginia construction (0.7% of its construction citations there, the 28th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) with 8 citations.
13
1926.1052 citations in Virginia construction, FY2025
(c)(1)(ii)
paragraph cited most in Virginia (8 citations)
13.6
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Virginia, 2024 (BLS)
Virginia 29 CFR 1926.1052 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-0813
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1052 (FY2025)
$6,369
penalties for this standard
0.7%
of the state's 1,753 construction citations
In FY2025, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 13 times on Virginia construction jobsites with $6,369 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 0.7% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it 28th on Virginia's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Virginia's own rule says
Stairways sit in the same Virginia regulation as ladders, VR 425-02-79, with 1926.1052 amended April 15, 2011. Virginia did not rewrite it: the 19-inch access trigger, the 30-to-50-degree pitch and the four-riser stairrail threshold are the federal ones. The Virginia-specific rule to watch on a stairway is the one about what is moving nearby: 16VAC25-97 governs any vehicle reversing with an obstructed view, and it applies on construction sites, not only in yards and warehouses.
29 CFR 1926.1052 as adopted by 16VAC25-175, VR 425-02-79The duty matches the federal text. Only the citation number differs.
Read in Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)'s own rule text · verified 2026-08-08
Falls and work deaths in Virginia, 2024
Virginia recorded 137 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 117 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 20 of them (15%). Construction accounted for 37, 15 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Virginia, 2024
How Virginia Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1052
Virginia runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Virginia'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 by 16VAC25-175, VR 425-02-79. Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 13 times in Virginia construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Virginia also sets its own civil-penalty maximums, below the federal baseline (see the penalty table below).
In Virginia, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 went most often to Framing Contractors (6) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (2). 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 Virginia State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Virginia
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Virginia, the program is Occupational Safety and Health – Training and Consultation (Virginia Department of Labor & Industry). 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.
Virginia Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1052 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $16,287 | Virginia state maximum |
| Willful | $162,849 | Virginia state maximum |
| Repeat | $162,849 | Virginia state maximum |
| Failure to abate | State schedule | Virginia publishes its own failure-to-abate amount; see the state schedule |
Virginia (Code of Virginia §40.1-49.4) sets its own maximums, CPI-adjusted each August 1 and running slightly below federal: serious up to $16,287; willful/repeat up to $162,849 (willful minimum $10,000). Amounts are ceilings per violation. Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) 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 Virginia: Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) 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 Virginia, FY2025
Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) issued 13 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Virginia construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,287.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 8 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1)(i) 2 citations
“At least one handrail; and”
- 3
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.”
- 4
1926.1052(b)(3) 1 citation
“Treads for temporary service shall be made of wood or other solid material, and shall be installed the full width and depth of the stair.”
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
Virginia Safety & Enforcement Profile
1,753
FY2025 construction citations
Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Virginia, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (210), Roofing Contractors (156) and Framing Contractors (105), out of 1,222 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1052 in Virginia, FY2025: Framing Contractors (6), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (2) and Residential Remodelers (2), of 13 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Virginia, 2024: 13.6 per 100,000 full-time workers, 6th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.2).
- 2026 legislation directs Virginia's Safety and Health Codes Board to adopt indoor and outdoor heat illness standards by May 1, 2028. (HB 1092 / SB 288 (2026 session), signed April 13, 2026)
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 Virginia
What are the penalties for 29 CFR 1926.1052 violations in Virginia in 2026?
In Virginia, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1052 carries a maximum penalty of $16,287 per violation, and a willful or repeat violation up to $162,849. Virginia sets its own maximums, below the federal baseline. Virginia (Code of Virginia §40.1-49.4) sets its own maximums, CPI-adjusted each August 1 and running slightly below federal: serious up to $16,287; willful/repeat up to $162,849 (willful minimum $10,000). Each distinct violation can be cited as its own item. (Source: Va. Code §40.1-49.4; verified 2026-10-05.)
Which Virginia construction trades are cited most under Stairways (Construction)?
In FY2025, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) issued 13 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052 to Virginia construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (6), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (2) and Residential Remodelers (2) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) issued 1,753 construction citations across 517 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 Virginia jobsites?
In FY2025, Virginia's state plan (Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)) issued 1,753 construction citations across 517 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Virginia's fatality figures are shown above.
When does VOSH require handrails on a Virginia 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 Virginia these are enforced by VOSH, the state's own OSHA program, not federal OSHA.
Who enforces stairway rules (1926.1052) in Virginia?
VOSH, the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program. Virginia 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 Virginia without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Virginia is Occupational Safety and Health – Training and Consultation (Virginia Department of Labor & Industry). 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 Virginia cite 29 CFR 1926.1052 in construction?
In FY2025, Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) cited 29 CFR 1926.1052 (Stairways (Construction)) 13 times on Virginia construction jobsites, with $6,369 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 0.7% of the 1,753 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.
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 Virginia
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, Virginia
$16,287
per violation (max)
VS
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