In Washington, a serious Stairways (Construction) violation carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Stairways (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH), under WAC 296-155-477 rather than 29 CFR 1926.1052.
29 CFR 1926.1052 · Washington
Stairways (Construction) Requirements in Washington
Stairways (Construction) in Washington: 2026 penalties, who enforces WAC 296-155-477, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
WashingtonConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH)
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) enforces Washington's own rule on this subject, WAC 296-155-477, rather than 29 CFR 1926.1052, and the state rule differs from the federal text. The federal maximum for a serious violation is $16,550.
132
federal construction citations under 1926.1052, nationwide, FY2025
(c)(1)(i)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (48 citations)
6.3
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Washington, 2024 (BLS)
What Washington's own rule says
“You must provide stairways, ramps or ladders at all points where a break in elevation of 18 inches or more occurs in a frequently traveled passageway, entry or exit.”
Washington sets the access trigger one inch below the federal one: 1926.1051(a) requires a stairway or ladder at a break in elevation of 19 inches, WAC 296-155-477(1)(d) at 18. The section then adds requirements 1926.1052 does not carry at all: permanent or temporary stairways in any building or structure two or more stories or 24 feet in height or depth; a second stairway once a structure passes three stories or 36 feet; and, in wood-frame work, the stairway to a floor completed before the studs supporting the next floor are raised. The 30-to-50-degree pitch rule is the same as the federal one.
WAC 296-155-477The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Falls and work deaths in Washington, 2024
Washington recorded 102 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 97 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 15 of them (15%). Construction accounted for 16, 8 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Washington, 2024
How Washington Enforces Stairways (Construction)
Washington runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Washington's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is WAC 296-155-477, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Washington applies the federal penalty maximums.
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against WAC 296-155-477, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Washington State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Washington
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Washington, the program is Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Washington Department of Labor & Industries). 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.
Washington consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Washington Penalty Amounts for Stairways (Construction) (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) |
Washington applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Stairways (Construction) Requirements Under the Federal Standard 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 Washington: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) 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, Federal OSHA Nationwide
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) enforces the state's own rule on this subject, WAC 296-155-477, so no Washington count under 29 CFR 1926.1052 is shown here. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most in construction nationwide in FY2025:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 132 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1052.
- 1
1926.1052(c)(1)(i) 48 citations
“At least one handrail; and”
- 2
1926.1052(c)(1)(ii) 37 citations
“One stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.”
- 3
1926.1052(c)(1) 27 citations
“Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped with:”
- 4
1926.1052(c)(12) 9 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.”
- 5
1926.1052(b)(1) 3 citations
“Except during stairway construction, foot traffic is prohibited on stairways with pan stairs where the treads and/or landings are to be filled in with concrete or other material …”
- 6
1926.1052(b)(3) 2 citations
“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: 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
Washington Safety & Enforcement Profile
5,445
FY2025 construction citations
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Washington, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (348), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (312) and Residential Remodelers (255), out of 2,083 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Construction fatality rate in Washington, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 full-time workers, 36th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 2.8).
- Washington's outdoor heat exposure rule (WAC 296-62-095 through 296-62-09560) applies to all employers with employees performing work in an outdoor environment. It has been in force since July 5, 2008, and was last amended effective July 17, 2023. (WAC 296-62-09510 (WSR 08-12-109; WSR 23-14-042))
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 Stairways (Construction) Compliance Tools
Stairways (Construction) FAQ for Washington
Which Washington construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Washington in FY2025 were Roofing Contractors (348), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (312) and Residential Remodelers (255), out of 2,083 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) issued 5,445 construction citations across 1,487 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against WAC 296-155-477, Washington's own rule on this subject.
How often is Stairways (Construction) cited on Washington jobsites?
In FY2025, Washington's state plan (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH)) issued 5,445 construction citations across 1,487 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Stairways (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Washington's fatality figures are shown above.
Which rule governs construction stairways in Washington?
WAC 296-155-477. It requires stairways, ramps or ladders at every break in elevation of 18 inches or more in a frequently traveled passageway, entry or exit, one inch below the federal 19 inches; stairways in any building or structure two or more stories or 24 feet in height or depth; and a second stairway once a structure passes three stories or 36 feet. WISHA (L&I DOSH) enforces it rather than the federal 1926.1052.
Who enforces stairway rules on Washington construction sites?
WISHA, Washington's OSHA-approved State Plan, enforced by L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Washington enforces construction stairways under WAC 296-155-477 rather than the federal 1926.1052.
Can I get free OSHA help in Washington without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Washington is Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Washington Department of Labor & Industries). 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.
Stairways (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Stairways (Construction) in Other States
8 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 Washington
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.
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