1926.451(c)(2)(ii): No Unstable Objects Under Scaffolds
Employers must not use unstable objects to support scaffolds or platform units.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(c)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 77 times in the last 3 years, in 77 inspections, with $131,405 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (13), TX (8), NJ (7).
- Related part: 1926.451(c) Criteria for supported scaffolds (1,292 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2)(ii) is one requirement inside 1926.451 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). 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
(ii) Unstable objects shall not be used to support scaffolds or platform units. 77 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.451(c)(2)(ii).
At 8:35 a.m. on October 3, 2024, Employee #1 was working inside a double-sided shell buggy, a mobile supported elevated work platform, which was supported by a10 by 41 feet carbon steel plate. The steel plate caved inward after components used to secure it had…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: VA (13), TX (8), NJ (7), NY (6), MD (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLORIDA CERTIFIED CONTRACTORS, LLC. | SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL | $11,292 |
| KR CONTRACTORS LLC | LITTLE FALLS, NJ | $7,098 |
| VELLOX CONSTRUCTION, CORP. | MILTON, MA | $5,322 |
| GARCIA CONSTRUCTION PLUS, LLC | KEARNY, NJ | $4,965 |
| ENZ MASONRY, INC. | CHICAGO, IL | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(c)(2)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.451(c)(2)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(c) Criteria for supported scaffolds 1,292 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2) 1,052 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2)(v) 224 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2)(iv) 186 citations
- 1926.451(c)(1) 121 citations
- 1926.451(c)(3) 119 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2)(i) 110 citations
- 1926.451(c)(1)(ii) 35 citations
- 1926.451(c)(1)(iii) 15 citations
- 1926.451(c)(1)(i) 14 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2)(iii) 13 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
Can I set a scaffold on blocks or bricks?
Not if they are unstable. Unstable objects shall not be used to support scaffolds or platform units.
Does this apply to platform units?
Yes. It covers scaffolds and platform units.
Who decides what is unstable?
The rule simply bans unstable objects as supports, so if a support could shift or tip, do not use it.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.451 (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.