OSHA Construction Safety Requirements
The controlling numbers from 29 CFR Part 1926 — the federal construction safety standard — organized by activity, with citations to osha.gov.
OSHA Fall Protection Requirements — The 6-Foot Rule & Guardrails
Fall protection in construction is governed by 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M. The controlling number is 6 feet: work at 6 feet or more above a lower level req…
OSHA Ladder Requirements — 3-Foot Extension, 4:1 Angle & Stair Rules
Ladders and stairways on construction sites are covered by 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X. A stairway or ladder is required at any break in elevation of 19 inc…
OSHA Trenching Requirements — The 5-Foot Rule, Sloping & Egress
Excavation work is governed by 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P. The controlling number is 5 feet: any trench 5 feet or deeper requires a protective system — slo…
OSHA Scaffold Requirements — 10-Foot Fall Rule, Planking & 4:1 Ratio
Supported and suspended scaffolds are governed by 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. The controlling numbers: fall protection at 10 feet, components supporting 4 …
OSHA standards are federal workplace-safety law and apply on every construction site, in addition to your local building code. Twenty-two states run their own OSHA-approved plans that must be at least as strict. For adopted local building codes, see the jurisdiction permit pages.