1926.451(c)(1)(ii): Scaffold Guys, Ties and Braces
Guys, ties and braces must be installed per the scaffold manufacturer or at the closest horizontal member to the 4:1 height, then repeated vertically every 20 feet or less for scaffolds 3 feet wide or less and every 26 feet or less for wider scaffolds. The top tie must be no further than the 4:1 height from the top, with ties at each end and at horizontal intervals not to exceed 30 feet.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(c)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 35 times in the last 3 years, in 35 inspections, with $139,354 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (6), MD (5), VA (3).
- Related part: 1926.451(c) Criteria for supported scaffolds (1,296 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.451(c)(1)(ii) 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
(ii) Guys, ties, and braces shall be installed according to the scaffold manufacturer's recommendations or at the closest horizontal member to the 4:1 height and be repeated vertically at locations of horizontal members every 20 feet (6.1 m) or less thereafter for scaffolds 3 feet (0.91 m) wide or less, and every 26 feet (7.9 m) or less thereafter for scaffolds greater than 3 feet (0.91 m) wide. The top guy, tie or brace of completed scaffolds shall be placed no further than the 4:1 height from the top. Such guys, ties and braces shall be installed at each end of the scaffold and at horizontal intervals not to exceed 30 feet (9.1 m) (measured from one end [not both] towards the other). 35 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.451(c)(1)(ii).
At 10:29 a.m. on September 14, 2024, an employee was working from a scaffold when a scaffold plank fell off its supports. The employee fell to the ground andsustained fatal injuries.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: IL (6), MD (5), VA (3), TN (3), PR (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CREATIVE MASONRY, INC. | JONESBOROUGH, TN | $54,000 |
| DOBCO, INC. | DOVER AFB, DE | $14,895 |
| R.E. JONES MASONRY, INC. | CLARKSVILLE, VA | $7,940 |
| CENTURION STONE OF IOWA, INC. | GRIMES, IA | $7,650 |
| NK PLASTERING, LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,156 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(c)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Tie-in requirements for supported scaffolds; errors in Non-Mandatory Appendix E. (2005-04-08)
- Tie, guy, and bracing requirements for scaffold systems. (2000-08-04)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(c) Criteria for supported scaffolds 1,296 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2) 1,056 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2)(v) 225 citations
- 1926.451(c)(2)(iv) 187 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)(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
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the first scaffold tie go?
According to the manufacturer's recommendations or at the closest horizontal member to the 4:1 height.
How far apart vertically must ties be?
Every 20 feet (6.1 m) or less for scaffolds 3 feet (0.91 m) wide or less, and every 26 feet (7.9 m) or less for scaffolds greater than 3 feet wide.
How far apart horizontally?
At each end and at horizontal intervals not to exceed 30 feet (9.1 m), measured from one end toward the other.
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.