1926.451(c)(2): Firm Footing for Supported Scaffolds
Employers must make sure supported scaffold poles, legs, frames and uprights bear on base plates and mud sills or other firm foundation. Footings must be level, sound and able to hold the loaded scaffold without settling. Unstable objects cannot support scaffolds or serve as platforms, and front-end loaders or forklifts may support platforms only under strict conditions.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(c)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 1,052 times in the last 3 years, in 950 inspections, with $2,974,087 in current penalties.
- 7 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (110), FL (81), VA (74).
- 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) is one requirement inside 1926.451 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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) Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall bear on base plates and mud sills or other adequate firm foundation. 1,052 citations
(i) Footings shall be level, sound, rigid, and capable of supporting the loaded scaffold without settling or displacement. Open (c)(2)(i) 110 citations
(ii) Unstable objects shall not be used to support scaffolds or platform units. Open (c)(2)(ii) 77 citations
(iii) Unstable objects shall not be used as working platforms. Open (c)(2)(iii) 13 citations
(iv) Front-end loaders and similar pieces of equipment shall not be used to support scaffold platforms unless they have been specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. Open (c)(2)(iv) 186 citations
(v) 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 is occupied. Open (c)(2)(v) 224 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Injuries linked to this rule
7 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.451(c)(2).
At 2:07 p.m. on October 22, 2024, Employee #1 was performing exterior stone masonry work from a scaffold. The employee fell from the scaffold and struck hishead on palletized stone pieces below. The fall resulted in fatal head trauma and a brain bleed.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 80 |
| 2024 | 363 |
| 2025 | 371 |
| 2026 | 238 |
Top states: TX (110), FL (81), VA (74), NJ (68), IL (65)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | DALEVILLE, VA | $153,740 |
| ROAD CONTRACTOR CORPORATION | WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ | $78,080 |
| MILLER CARPENTRY, LLC | MAHOMET, IL | $34,048 |
| ACE II LLC | BELMAR, NJ | $32,265 |
| SEPULVEDA GENERAL CONSTRUCTION LLC | CINCINNATI, OH | $30,454 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether a safety factor must be incorporated into the design of footings for supported scaffolds. (2005-04-11)
- Applicable standards to lifting personnel on a platform supported by a rough-terrain forklift. (2001-11-27)
- Access requirements for cantilevered work platforms; use of unstable objects is prohibited. (2001-07-23)
- Foundation requirements for scaffolds; competent person qualifications for assessing foundations. (2000-08-01)
- Forklifts in construction: elevating personnel and operator training. (1999-09-30)
- Use of flexible cords for connection of appliances; scaffold base plates. (1998-07-20)
- Scaffolds: removal of bracing; maximum loads; damaged planking; and foundations. (1997-11-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(c) Criteria for supported scaffolds 1,292 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)(2)(ii) 77 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
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Frequently asked questions
What must scaffold legs rest on?
Base plates and mud sills or another adequate firm foundation.
Can a front-end loader support a scaffold platform?
Not unless the equipment was specifically designed by the manufacturer for that use.
When can a forklift support a scaffold platform?
Only if the entire platform is attached to the fork and the forklift is not moved horizontally while the platform is occupied.
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.