1926.451(b)(2): Scaffold Platform Width
Each scaffold platform and walkway must be at least 18 inches wide, except ladder jack, top plate bracket, roof bracket and pump jack scaffolds, which must be at least 12 inches wide, and boatswains' chairs, which have no minimum. Where the employer can show an area is too narrow for 18 inches, platforms must be as wide as feasible and workers protected by guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(b)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 332 times in the last 3 years, in 332 inspections, with $839,915 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (48), NC (41), AL (38).
- Related part: 1926.451(b) Scaffold platform construction (1,518 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.451(b)(2) is one requirement inside 1926.451 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). It includes 2 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) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii) of this section, each scaffold platform and walkway shall be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide. 332 citations
(i) Each ladder jack scaffold, top plate bracket scaffold, roof bracket scaffold, and pump jack scaffold shall be at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide. There is no minimum width requirement for boatswains' chairs. Open (b)(2)(i) 11 citations
Pursuant to an administrative stay effective November 29, 1996 and published in the Federal Register on November 25, 1996, the requirement in paragraph (b)(2)(i) that roof bracket scaffolds be at least 12 inches wide is stayed until November 25, 1997 or until rulemaking regarding the minimum width of roof bracket scaffolds has been completed, whichever is later.
(ii) Where scaffolds must be used in areas that the employer can demonstrate are so narrow that platforms and walkways cannot be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide, such platforms and walkways shall be as wide as feasible, and employees on those platforms and walkways shall be protected from fall hazards by the use of guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems. Open (b)(2)(ii) 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.451(b)(2).
At 2:30 p.m. on January 12, 2025, Employee #1 was working for a roofing contractor and was performing siding and soffit work from a pump jack scaffold. Employee #1 was fatally injured when he fell from the scaffold.
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 | 22 |
| 2024 | 115 |
| 2025 | 114 |
| 2026 | 81 |
Top states: TX (48), NC (41), AL (38), NJ (19), OK (16)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CARLOS CONTRERAS FRAMING | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $14,564 |
| 1 VISION AVIATION, PLLC | SALINA, KS | $14,068 |
| ARGEN CONTRACTING, INC. | PAPILLION, NE | $13,902 |
| ZINSMEYER STRUCTURAL STEEL, LLC | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $12,905 |
| TITAN CARPENTRY, LLC | EUREKA, MO | $11,916 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(b)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether guardrails are required on a two-point adjustable scaffold while workers who are tied off are painting the undercarriage of a water storage tank. (2010-03-03)
- Use of 2"x6" No 2 pine boards as a scaffold platform; application of 1926.451(a) and 1926.451(f)(16) when erecting and dismantling scaffolds. (2005-04-11)
- Use of aerial lift or scissor lift guardrails as a work or scaffold platform. (2002-10-23)
- Planking, safety line, and personal fall arrest system requirements for tank builder's scaffolding. (2002-04-16)
- Waler (platform) covered by Subpart L; minimum scaffold platform width. (1998-04-20)
- Minimum width of roof bracket scaffolds. (1996-12-12)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(b) Scaffold platform construction 1,518 citations
- 1926.451(b)(1) 870 citations
- 1926.451(b)(1)(i) 168 citations
- 1926.451(b)(5) 118 citations
- 1926.451(b)(5)(ii) 97 citations
- 1926.451(b)(3) 58 citations
- 1926.451(b)(7) 51 citations
- 1926.451(b)(4) 49 citations
- 1926.451(b)(10) 25 citations
- 1926.451(b)(5)(i) 21 citations
- 1926.451(b)(1)(ii) 14 citations
- 1926.451(b)(2)(i) 11 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How wide must a scaffold platform be?
At least 18 inches (46 cm), with exceptions for certain scaffold types.
Which scaffolds may be 12 inches wide?
Ladder jack, top plate bracket, roof bracket and pump jack scaffolds must be at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide.
What if the area is too narrow for 18 inches?
The platform must be as wide as feasible, and employees must be protected by guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems.
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 2026-10-19
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.