In Washington, a serious Scaffolding violation 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 Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH), under WAC 296-874 (the scaffold) and WAC 296-880-30030 (fall protection on it) rather than 29 CFR 1926.451.
29 CFR 1926.451 · Washington
Scaffolding Requirements in Washington
Scaffolding in Washington: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451, 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 296-874 (the scaffold) and WAC 296-880-30030 (fall protection on it), rather than 29 CFR 1926.451. The federal maximum for a serious violation is $16,550.
2,153
federal construction citations under 1926.451, nationwide, FY2025
(g)(1)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (426 citations)
6.3
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Washington, 2024 (BLS)
What Washington's own rule says
Washington takes what 1926.451 does in one section and splits it across two chapters: 296-874 governs the scaffold itself (planking, access, inspection, power-line clearance) for every industry at once, where federal law separates Subpart D of Part 1910 from Subpart L of Part 1926. Fall protection while on the scaffold moved to the unified chapter at 296-880-30030. The trigger there is ten feet, exactly as in 1926.451(g)(1), and the erection-and-dismantling feasibility determination by a competent person is the same test. This is the standard where Washington rewrote the numbering and left the height alone.
WAC 296-874 (the scaffold) and WAC 296-880-30030 (fall protection on it)The duty matches the federal text. Only the citation number differs.
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 Scaffolding
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 296-874 (the scaffold) and WAC 296-880-30030 (fall protection on it). Washington applies the federal penalty maximums.
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.
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 Scaffolding (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 Scaffolding Requirements Under the Federal Standard 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 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 1926.451 are on the 29 CFR 1926.451 page.
Most-Cited Scaffolding Paragraphs, Federal OSHA Nationwide
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) enforces the state's own rule on this subject, WAC 296-874 (the scaffold) and WAC 296-880-30030 (fall protection on it), so no Washington count under 29 CFR 1926.451 is shown here. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most in construction nationwide in FY2025:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 2,153 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451.
- 1
1926.451(g)(1) 426 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) 228 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) 190 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(g)(1)(vii) 174 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 …”
- 5
1926.451(g)(4)(i) 99 citations
“Guardrail systems shall be installed along all open sides and ends of platforms. Guardrail systems shall be installed before the scaffold is released for use by employees other …”
- 6
1926.451(c)(2) 93 citations
“Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.”
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 Scaffolding Compliance Tools
Scaffolding 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 29 CFR 1926.451 on a recurring basis.
How often is Scaffolding 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). Scaffolding can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Washington's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules on Washington construction sites?
WISHA, Washington's OSHA-approved State Plan, enforced by L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), not federal OSHA. Washington governs the scaffold itself under WAC 296-874 and fall protection on scaffolds under WAC 296-880-30030, rather than the federal 1926.451; the 10-foot trigger is the same.
What scaffold requirements does WISHA enforce?
WAC 296-874 governs the scaffold itself, including planking, access, inspection and power-line clearance, in every industry. Fall protection on scaffolds is at WAC 296-880-30030, with the same 10-foot trigger as 1926.451(g)(1).
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.
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 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.
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