1926.20(f)(2): Each Untrained Worker Is a Separate Violation
Construction standards that require training impose a separate duty for each employee covered. Employers must train each affected employee as the standard requires, and each failure to train an employee may be considered a separate violation.
Key takeaways
- 1926.20(f)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart C).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $82,053 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: AK (4), NC (2), MO (2).
- Related part: 1926.20(f) Compliance duties owed to each employee (27 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.20(f)(2) ("Training") is one requirement inside 1926.20 General safety and health provisions, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart C). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Training. Standards in this part requiring training on hazards and related matters, such as standards requiring that employees receive training or that the employer train employees, provide training to employees, or institute or implement a training program, impose a separate compliance duty with respect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employer must train each affected employee in the manner required by the standard, and each failure to train an employee may be considered a separate violation. 15 citations
[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 58 FR 35078, June 30, 1993; 73 FR 75588, Dec. 12, 2008; 85 FR 8735, Feb. 18, 2020; 85 FR 8735, Feb. 18, 2020]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.20.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.20(f)(2).
On October 11, 2024, an employee working for a remediation contractor was working from a ladder installing soffit cladding on a one-story single-family house. The employee fell from the ladder and died on site from head trauma.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: AK (4), NC (2), MO (2), UT (2), OH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHELTENHAM CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC. | SAINT CHARLES, MO | $30,000 |
| WALSWORTH PUBLISHING COMPANY | MARCELINE, MO | $16,550 |
| 157653 - JASPER ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC | CHARLOTTE, NC | $13,017 |
| BOH BROS. CONSTRUCTION CO., L.L.C. | KENNER, LA | $9,103 |
| HSCB HOMES, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.20(f)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.20(f)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.20(f) Compliance duties owed to each employee 27 citations
- 1926.20(f)(1) Personal protective equipment 12 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Is training required for every employee?
Yes. The employer must train each affected employee in the manner required by the standard.
How are training failures counted?
Each failure to train an employee may be considered a separate violation.
Which standards does this cover?
Standards in Part 1926 that require training on hazards and related matters.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.20 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.