In Wisconsin, 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 · Wisconsin
Scaffolding Requirements in Wisconsin
Scaffolding in Wisconsin: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.451, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
WisconsinConstruction (29 CFR 1926)Federal OSHA Jurisdiction
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 55 times in Wisconsin construction (3.1% of its construction citations there, the 8th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.451(g)(1) with 22 citations.
55
1926.451 citations in Wisconsin construction, FY2025
(g)(1)
paragraph cited most in Wisconsin (22 citations)
7.8
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Wisconsin, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in Wisconsin: 29 CFR 1926.451, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-2655
citations of 29 CFR 1926.451 in 34 inspections
$131,879
penalties, current amounts ($205,103 as first proposed)
3.1%
of the 1,789 federal construction citations in Wisconsin
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 55 times in inspections of Wisconsin construction employers. It ranked eighth of the 49 standards cited in them. By classification: 52 serious, 3 repeat. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.451(g)(1) (22), 1926.451(a)(6) (4), 1926.451(c)(2)(v) (4).
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 Wisconsin
Wisconsin 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.
Local Emphasis Program for Building Renovation/Rehabilitation and Demolition
CPL 04-05-2302 · Chicago Regional Office · effective October 1, 2023
“This Notice applies to the Appleton, Naperville, Chicago North, Chicago South, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Madison, Milwaukee, Peoria, Fairview Heights and Toledo Area Offices.”
Reconstruction, renovation, rehabilitation and demolition are scheduled for inspection through twelve named area offices covering Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin. Renovation work is where fall protection, scaffolds and ladders tend to be improvised, and the program exists because that is where the region's inspectors expect to find them improvised.
Falls and work deaths in Wisconsin, 2024
Wisconsin recorded 109 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 112 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 22 of them (20%). Construction accounted for 16, 7 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Wisconsin, 2024
How Wisconsin Enforces 29 CFR 1926.451
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 went most often to Framing Contractors (21) and Roofing Contractors (16). 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 Wisconsin
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Wisconsin, the program is OSHA Onsite Consultation (WisCon) Program (University of Wisconsin - Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene). 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.
Wisconsin consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Who inspects private employers here
Federal OSHA, from the Appleton Area Office (Appleton), the Eau Claire Area Office (Eau Claire), the Madison Area Office (Madison) and the Milwaukee Area Office (Milwaukee).
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Wisconsin 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) |
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin: Federal OSHA inspects private construction employers; Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 55 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Wisconsin 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) 22 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(a)(6) 4 citations
“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 …”
- 3
1926.451(c)(2) 4 citations
“Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation.”
- 4
1926.451(c)(2)(v) 4 citations
“Fork-lifts shall not be used to support scaffold platforms unless the entire platform is attached to the fork and the fork-lift is not moved horizontally while the platform …”
- 5
1926.451(g)(4)(i) 4 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(b)(1) 2 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:”
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
Wisconsin Safety & Enforcement Profile
26,559
Federal construction citations (national, FY2025)
1,789 of them in Wisconsin (HazComFast count)
Federal OSHA
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Wisconsin, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (345), Framing Contractors (89) and Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (53), out of 738 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.451 in Wisconsin, FY2025: Framing Contractors (21), Roofing Contractors (16) and Siding Contractors (7), of 55 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Wisconsin, 2024: 7.8 per 100,000 full-time workers, 30th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 3.7).
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 Wisconsin
Which Wisconsin construction trades are cited most under Scaffolding?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 55 citations under 29 CFR 1926.451 to Wisconsin construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (21), Roofing Contractors (16) and Siding Contractors (7) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Federal OSHA inspects these employers directly, since Wisconsin has no state plan covering the private sector. For context, federal OSHA issued 1,789 citations across 634 inspections of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin jobsites?
OSHA's cited-standards tool does not break Wisconsin out, but the Labor Department's enforcement data do: in FY2025, federal OSHA issued 1,789 citations across 634 inspections of Wisconsin construction employers, 55 of them under 29 CFR 1926.451 (HazComFast count). A Scaffolding citation in Wisconsin can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Wisconsin's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces scaffolding rules (1926.451) on Wisconsin construction sites?
Federal OSHA. Wisconsin has no State Plan, so a U.S. Department of Labor compliance officer from OSHA's Chicago region inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.451 directly at the federal penalty maximums. A serious violation carries up to $16,550, and separate hazardous conditions can each be cited as separate items.
Can I get free OSHA help in Wisconsin without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Wisconsin is OSHA Onsite Consultation (WisCon) Program (University of Wisconsin - Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene). 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 Wisconsin construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.451 (Scaffolding) 55 times in 34 inspections of Wisconsin construction employers, with $131,879 in penalties at current amounts ($205,103 as first proposed), 3.1% of the 1,789 citations those inspections produced. It ranked eighth of the 49 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.
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 Wisconsin
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
$16,550
per violation (max)
VS
HazComFast Pro
$199/mo
10 jobsites, unlimited chemicals, unlimited workers
New sign-ups are paused. The free tools below need no account, and customers can log in as usual.
Your account keeps working as usual. Cancel anytime.