1926.451(f)(7): Competent Person for Scaffold Work
Scaffolds may be erected, moved, dismantled or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in that work. The work itself may be done only by experienced and trained employees selected by the competent person.
Key takeaways
- 1926.451(f)(7) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 408 times in the last 3 years, in 408 inspections, with $892,476 in current penalties.
- 12 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MA (53), MD (45), VA (29).
- Related part: 1926.451(f) Use (1,223 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.451(f)(7) 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
(7) Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person. 408 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.451.
Injuries linked to this rule
12 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.451(f)(7).
Employee was removing a gutter from a residential structure working from a pump-jack scaffold system erected 4.5 feet from a 79 kilovolt primary power line. The gutter contacted the power line and the employee was electrocuted.
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 | 23 |
| 2024 | 129 |
| 2025 | 154 |
| 2026 | 102 |
Top states: MA (53), MD (45), VA (29), NY (21), FL (21)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 110190 - PRO DRYWALL INC DBA PRO DRYWALL - PAINTING INC | ELK RIVER, MN | $25,000 |
| SEMINOLE EQUIPMENT, INC. | RICHMOND HILL, GA | $16,550 |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL CONTRACTOR SERVICES CORP | LOWELL, MA | $16,550 |
| MAC CONSTRUCTION EXPRESS, LLC | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $16,131 |
| DOBCO, INC. | DOVER AFB, DE | $14,895 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.451(f)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for being designated a competent person under Part 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolds). (2005-06-17)
- 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)
- Revised response regarding the storage of materials on a scaffold for more than one shift's work (2003-10-30)
- Foundation requirements for scaffolds; competent person qualifications for assessing foundations. (2000-08-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.451(f) Use 1,223 citations
- 1926.451(f)(3) 507 citations
- 1926.451(f)(6) 108 citations
- 1926.451(f)(15) 62 citations
- 1926.451(f)(4) 57 citations
- 1926.451(f)(14) 39 citations
- 1926.451(f)(1) 15 citations
- 1926.451(f)(15)(ii) 10 citations
- 1926.451(f)(12) 6 citations
- 1926.451(f)(13) 5 citations
- 1926.451(f)(5) 5 citations
- 1926.451(f)(16) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Who must supervise scaffold erection and dismantling?
A competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration.
Who may actually build or take down a scaffold?
Only experienced and trained employees selected for the work by the competent person.
Does this cover moving or altering a scaffold?
Yes. It applies to erecting, moving, dismantling or altering 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 2026-10-19
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.