1926.454(c)(3): Retraining When Scaffold Skills Slip
Employers must retrain an employee who works on scaffolds when inadequacies in that employee's scaffold work show the employee has not kept the needed proficiency.
Key takeaways
- 1926.454(c)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $131,196 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (13), TX (5), NY (5).
- Related part: 1926.454(c) (46 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.454(c)(3) is one requirement inside 1926.454 Training 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
(3) Where inadequacies in an affected employee's work involving scaffolds indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency. 28 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.454.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.454(c)(3).
Employee #1 was installing debris netting on the exterior of a scaffold, when hefell from the end, resulting in fatal injuries. the end, resulting in fatal injuries from the fall. The employee impacted the ground and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: PA (13), TX (5), NY (5), FL (2), NJ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BRANDSAFWAY SERVICES LLC | QUARRYVILLE, PA | $16,550 |
| LOBAR ASSOCIATES, INC. | MIFFLINTOWN, PA | $12,000 |
| MID-STATE ROOFING AND COATING, INC. | STATE COLLEGE, PA | $11,000 |
| WALTBILLIG & HOOD GENERAL CONTRACTORS, LLC | BRADENTON, FL | $8,689 |
| GUAMAN USA CONSTRUCTION CORP. | BROOKLYN, NY | $6,452 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.454(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.454(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.454(c) 46 citations
- 1926.454(c)(2) 4 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
When is scaffold retraining required under this paragraph?
When inadequacies in an affected employee's scaffold work indicate the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency.
Who decides retraining is needed?
The employer, based on the employee's work.
Who must be retrained?
The affected employee whose scaffold work shows the needed proficiency was not retained.
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 2026-10-19
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.