1926.454(b): Scaffold Training by a Competent Person
Employers must have each employee who erects, disassembles, moves, operates, repairs, maintains or inspects a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize hazards of that work. Training must cover, as applicable, the nature of scaffold hazards, correct procedures for that scaffold, its design criteria, maximum intended load and intended use, and other requirements of the subpart.
Key takeaways
- 1926.454(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 253 times in the last 3 years, in 253 inspections, with $290,491 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (55), VA (23), TX (14).
- Related part: 1926.454(b)(2) (22 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.454(b) is one requirement inside 1926.454 Training requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). It includes 4 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
(b) The employer shall have each employee who is involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold trained by a competent person to recognize any hazards associated with the work in question. The training shall include the following topics, as applicable: 253 citations
(1) The nature of scaffold hazards; 1 citations
(2) The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting, and maintaining the type of scaffold in question; Open (b)(2) 22 citations
(3) The design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold;
(4) Any other pertinent requirements of this subpart. Open (b)(4) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.454.
Injuries linked to this rule
8 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.454(b).
At 1:00 p.m. on January 16, 2025, Employee #1 was working for a concrete contractor was starting the process of removing forms from Tower 6. Employee #1 was working with Coworker #1 stripping the forms from a pouring operation. The crew was working on the…
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 | 12 |
| 2024 | 81 |
| 2025 | 96 |
| 2026 | 64 |
Top states: MD (55), VA (23), TX (14), FL (12), WI (12)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FREY ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | BUFFALO, NY | $14,895 |
| ROADRUNNER DRYWALL CORPORATION | LAS VEGAS, NV | $14,518 |
| BEATY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $11,901 |
| FCX2025XNM858X0025 - E & E COMPANIES LLC | SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ | $11,292 |
| PLUG POWER INC. | SLINGERLANDS, NY | $10,938 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.454(b)(2) 22 citations
- 1926.454(b)(4) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who must be trained under 1926.454(b)?
Each employee involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining or inspecting a scaffold.
Who must give the training?
A competent person.
What must the training include?
As applicable, scaffold hazards, correct procedures for the scaffold type, design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use, and other pertinent requirements.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.454 (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.