1926.451(c)(3): Plumb and Braced Scaffold Uprights
Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames and uprights must be plumb and braced to prevent swaying and displacement.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(c)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 119 times in the last 3 years, in 119 inspections, with $253,322 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (25), NY (12), NJ (9).
- 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)(3) 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
(3) Supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames, and uprights shall be plumb and braced to prevent swaying and displacement. 119 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 41 |
Top states: MD (25), NY (12), NJ (9), OR (8), NC (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CREATIVE MASONRY, INC. | JONESBOROUGH, TN | $54,000 |
| WSC CONTRACTOR IMPORT, INC. | SICKLERVILLE, NJ | $11,916 |
| BELT CON CONSTRUCTION, INC. | EL PASO, TX | $9,931 |
| 7B BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT | SANTA FE, NM | $6,621 |
| FAST BUILDERS CONTRACTORS CORPORATION | WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP, NJ | $5,958 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
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)(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
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What does 1926.451(c)(3) require?
Scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames and uprights must be plumb and braced.
Why must uprights be braced?
To prevent swaying and displacement.
Which scaffolds does this cover?
Supported scaffolds.
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.