29 CFR 1926 · Construction · Subpart X

1926.1052(b)(3): Temporary Stair Treads

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated November 6, 2026 3 min read

In plain words:

In construction, treads for temporary service must be made of wood or other solid material and installed the full width and depth of the stair.

Key takeaways

  • 1926.1052(b)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
  • OSHA cited it 31 times in the last 3 years, in 31 inspections, with $15,800 in current penalties.
  • 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
  • Most citations: TN (17), IN (6), NY (1).
  • Related part: 1926.1052(b) Temporary service (58 citations).
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31citations, 3 years
$15,800current penalties
31inspections
1linked deaths
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Injuries linked to this rule
  4. Where and how often it was cited
  5. Free toolbox talk
  6. OSHA interpretation letters
  7. Related parts of this rule
  8. Get your crew competent
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1926.1052(b)(3) is one requirement inside 1926.1052 Stairways, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart X). 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) Treads for temporary service shall be made of wood or other solid material, and shall be installed the full width and depth of the stair. 31 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1052.

See every company cited for this rule.

Export the list: 31 inspections cited 1926.1052(b)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.

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Injuries linked to this rule

1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1052(b)(3).

Employee is crushed by collapsing roof trusses and is killed
2024-11-13 · Fatal · BAXTER, TN

At 12:45 a.m. on November 13, 2024, Employee #1 and a coworker were installing subflooring on the second level of a residential home above the garage, approximately 12 feet from the ground. Employee #1 was gluing and screwing the subfloor down to the trusses while…

Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
20231
202415
20259
20266

Top states: TN (17), IN (6), NY (1), IA (1), PA (1)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
BRYAN CAZADEROBRASELTON, GA$3,457
SHYFT COLLECTIVE, LLC.MASON CITY, IA$2,009
317740381 - JAMES HUIECENTRAL POINT, OR$1,177
EXCELSIOR IRON WORK CORP.BROOKLYN, NY$1,100
KEITH HODGE PLUMBING, LLCCHATTANOOGA, TN$1,000

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OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1052(b)(3).

Related parts of this rule

Get your crew competent

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Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.

Frequently asked questions

What can temporary stair treads be made of?

Wood or other solid material.

How must they be installed?

The full width and depth of the stair.

Is this a construction rule?

Yes. It is in 1926.1052, construction stairways.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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