In Wisconsin, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.501 (Fall Protection) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Fall Protection is enforced for private construction employers by federal OSHA.
29 CFR 1926.501 · Wisconsin
Fall Protection Requirements in Wisconsin
Fall Protection in Wisconsin: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.501, 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 1926.501 431 times in Wisconsin construction (24.1% of its construction citations there, the standard it cited most). The paragraph cited most was 1926.501(b)(13), residential construction, with 352 citations.
431
1926.501 citations in Wisconsin construction, FY2025
(b)(13)
paragraph cited most in Wisconsin (352 citations)
7.8
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Wisconsin, 2024 (BLS)
Federal OSHA in Wisconsin: 29 CFR 1926.501, FY2025
Counted · 2026-09-26431
citations of 29 CFR 1926.501 in 427 inspections
$3,636,460
penalties, current amounts ($4,388,196 as first proposed)
24.1%
of the 1,789 federal construction citations in Wisconsin
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.501 (Fall Protection) 431 times in inspections of Wisconsin construction employers. No standard was cited more often in those inspections. By classification: 288 serious, 127 repeat, 9 willful, 7 other-than-serious. Most-cited paragraphs: 1926.501(b)(13) (352), 1926.501(b)(11) (23), 1926.501(b)(10) (21).
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
Fall Protection Cases in Wisconsin
Bacilio Rios Almanza (operating as Chilos Construction)
$262,174Appleton, Wisconsin · 2025
After finding employees on a residential roof without fall protection in September 2024, OSHA cited the contractor for two willful and one serious violation, for failing to provide fall protection, failing to train workers and failing to require hard hats, and proposed $262,174. OSHA had inspected the contractor's worksites 10 times for similar hazards.
U.S. Department of Labor / OSHA news release, April 7, 2025How Wisconsin Enforces 29 CFR 1926.501
Wisconsin has no State Plan, so federal OSHA has jurisdiction. 29 CFR 1926.501 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 1926.501 went most often to Roofing Contractors (322) and Framing Contractors (66). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.501, 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 1926.501 (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 Fall Protection Requirements 29 CFR 1926.501
- Provide fall protection at 6 feet above a lower level: a guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest system
- Protect workers at unprotected sides/edges, leading edges, hoist areas, ramps, and excavation edges (1926.501(b))
- Cover or guard every floor hole and skylight: protection from falling through above 6 ft, and from stepping in at any height
- Related duties under neighboring standards: system criteria 1926.502, training 1926.503, scaffold fall protection 1926.451(g)
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 1926.501 are on the 29 CFR 1926.501 page.
Most-Cited Fall Protection Paragraphs in Wisconsin, FY2025
Federal OSHA issued 431 citations under 29 CFR 1926.501 to Wisconsin construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.501(b)(13) Residential construction. 352 citations
“Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall …”
- 2
1926.501(b)(11) Steep roofs. 23 citations
“Each employee on a steep roof with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems …”
- 3
1926.501(b)(10) Roofing work on Low-slope roofs. 21 citations
“Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each employee engaged in roofing activities on low-slope roofs, with unprotected sides and edges 6 feet (1.8 m) …”
- 4
1926.501(b)(1) Unprotected sides and edges. 19 citations
“Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level …”
- 5
1926.501(b)(4)(ii) 8 citations
“Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers.”
- 6
1926.501(b)(15) Walking/working surfaces not otherwise addressed. 3 citations
“Except as provided in § 1926.500(a)(2) or in § 1926.501 (b)(1) through (b)(14), each employee on a walking/working surface 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels …”
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 1926.501 in Wisconsin, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (322), Framing Contractors (66) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (7), of 431 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 Fall Protection Compliance Tools
Fall Protection FAQ for Wisconsin
Which Wisconsin construction trades are cited most under Fall Protection?
In FY2025, federal OSHA issued 431 citations under 29 CFR 1926.501 to Wisconsin construction employers, most often to Roofing Contractors (322), Framing Contractors (66) and New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (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 1926.501 on a recurring basis.
How often is Fall Protection 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, 431 of them under 29 CFR 1926.501 (HazComFast count). A Fall Protection citation in Wisconsin can come from any inspection: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Wisconsin's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces fall protection in Wisconsin?
Federal OSHA. Wisconsin has no State Plan, so the U.S. Department of Labor's Chicago-region offices inspect and cite 29 CFR 1926.501 directly, using the federal maximums ($16,550 serious / $165,514 willful-repeat in 2026). OSHA's National Emphasis Program on falls (CPL 03-00-025, effective May 1, 2023) also authorizes compliance officers to open an inspection whenever they observe someone working at heights.
Has OSHA cited Wisconsin roofers for fall protection?
Yes. Besides an Appleton contractor cited $262,174 in 2025 after OSHA had inspected its worksites 10 times for similar hazards, OSHA proposed $180,469 against Overhead Solutions LLC in 2023 for repeatedly failing to protect employees and subcontractors from fall hazards (source: US DOL / OSHA news releases).
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 1926.501 in Wisconsin construction?
In FY2025, federal OSHA cited 29 CFR 1926.501 (Fall Protection) 431 times in 427 inspections of Wisconsin construction employers, with $3,636,460 in penalties at current amounts ($4,388,196 as first proposed), 24.1% of the 1,789 citations those inspections produced. No standard was cited more often there. (HazComFast count from U.S. Department of Labor OSHA enforcement data, retrieved 2026-09-26.)
Fall Protection Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Fall Protection in Other States
14 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.501 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
Alaska29 CFR 1926.501 as adopted by 8 AAC 61.1010(c), with 8 AAC 61.1150 for steel erectionCalifornia8 CCR §1670(a), with §1621(a) for railings and §1730 for roofingown maxHawaiiHAR §12-110-3, with the definition of "infeasible" at §12-110-50(b)(1)Kentucky803 KAR 2:412own maxMaryland29 CFR 1926.501 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.07own maxMichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 45, R 408.44501 to R 408.44502own maxMinnesota29 CFR 1926.501 as adopted by Minn. R. 5205.0010, subp. 6, with Minn. R. 5207.0250NevadaNRS 618.983 and NRS 618.987 (mandatory OSHA-10 and OSHA-30)
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.
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