Construction is the most cited industry in OSHA enforcement — accounting for over 20% of all worker fatalities and generating billions in annual citation penalties. The reason is simple: hazards are concentrated, visible, and well-documented in standards that have existed for decades.
This means OSHA inspectors know exactly what to look for. They have checklists too. Here's yours.
⚠ The Fatal Four: Construction's Biggest Killers
OSHA's "Fatal Four" — falls, struck-by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between — account for over 60% of all construction worker deaths. These are also the areas with the highest citation rates and the steepest penalties. Every item in this checklist maps to one of these categories.
1. Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.502)
Fall protection is the #1 most cited OSHA standard in construction — cited over 7,000 times annually. Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities. Citations start at $16,550 per violation and reach $165,514 for willful or repeat violations.
6-foot rule: Fall protection provided at all walking/working surfaces 6+ feet above lower level
Options: guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). All workers on roofs, scaffolding, or elevated platforms above 6 feet must have one.
Guardrail systems: Top rail at 42" (±3"), midrail at 21", capable of withstanding 200 lbs force
No gaps exceeding 19". Top rails must be smooth to prevent lacerations. Wire rope or chain rail ends must be flagged.
Personal fall arrest systems: Harnesses inspected before each use, D-ring at shoulder blade level, lanyards free of cuts or abrasions
Harnesses must be ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 compliant. Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) must be rated for the task. Anchor points rated for 5,000 lbs minimum.
Floor hole covers: Every hole 2+ inches wide covered with material that supports 2x maximum intended load, cover marked "HOLE" or "COVER"
Covers must be secured to prevent displacement. Plywood covers must be thick enough to support load — check local requirements.
Leading edge work: Fall protection plan documented in writing, authorized person designated, updated as work progresses
If conventional fall protection is infeasible, a written fall protection plan signed by a qualified person is required before work begins.
2. Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451)
Scaffolding is the #2 most cited construction standard. OSHA requires scaffolds to be designed by a qualified person and erected/dismantled by a competent person. "Qualified" and "competent" have specific definitions — not just any experienced worker.
Scaffold capacity: Supports own weight plus 4x maximum intended load; never overloaded
No mixing of components from different manufacturers unless certified by a registered engineer. Capacity posted or provided to users.
Access: Proper ladder, stairway, or ramp to each scaffold platform; direct access from structure permitted only if within 14 inches
Platforms: Fully planked within 14 inches of front edge; maximum 18-inch gap; planks extend 6–18 inches beyond supports
Guardrails on scaffolds 10+ feet above lower level; end rails and midrails in place
Daily inspection by competent person before each work shift and after any event that could affect structural integrity
Document inspections. Defective scaffolding tagged "DO NOT USE" and removed from service immediately.
3. Excavation & Trenching (29 CFR 1926.652)
Trench collapses kill workers faster than almost any other construction hazard — a cubic yard of soil weighs up to 3,000 pounds. OSHA requires protective systems for all excavations 5 feet or deeper. No exceptions.
Utility locate completed: Call 811 before digging; all underground utilities marked; potholed within 18 inches of marked utilities
Protective system in place for all excavations 5+ feet deep: sloping, shoring, or trench box
System must be designed based on soil type (A, B, or C). Competent person must classify soil on-site before work begins.
Spoil piles: Minimum 2 feet from trench edge; no material or equipment within minimum setback
Egress: Stairway, ladder, ramp, or rung ladder within 25 feet of workers in trenches 4+ feet deep
Competent person inspects excavation daily and after any precipitation, vibration, or event that could change conditions
4. Electrical Safety (29 CFR 1926.416, 1926.405)
Electrocution is the third leading cause of construction fatalities. Most electrical fatalities involve contact with overhead power lines or improper use of extension cords and temporary power.
Overhead power line distances maintained: 10 feet minimum for lines up to 50kV; greater distances for higher voltage
Post warning signs at site entry. Contact utility to de-energize or insulate before work within 10 feet.
GFCI protection on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15/20-amp temporary receptacles used on construction sites
Extension cords: 3-wire grounded, rated for outdoor use where exposed, inspected before use, no splices within 12 inches of plug
Lockout/tagout procedures established and followed for all work on electrical equipment or where energized parts could cause injury
5. Personal Protective Equipment (29 CFR 1926.95-106)
Hard hats: Class E or G worn where there is a danger of head injury from falling objects or electrical shock; inspected before use
Eye and face protection: Safety glasses (ANSI Z87.1) where flying particles, sparks, or chemical splash hazards exist
High-visibility vests: ANSI Class 2 minimum for workers in roadway right-of-way or around vehicle/equipment traffic
Foot protection: Safety-toed footwear (ASTM F2413) where there is a risk of foot injuries from falling objects or punctures
PPE assessment documented: Written hazard assessment completed by qualified person; training records kept for all PPE-required tasks
6. Recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904)
Recordkeeping violations are a multiplier — they compound the cost of any underlying safety violation. OSHA requires employers with 10+ employees to maintain OSHA 300, 300A, and 301 logs. Construction employers with 20+ employees must electronically submit 300A data annually.
OSHA 300 Log maintained: All work-related injuries and illnesses recorded within 7 days of incident
OSHA 300A posted: Annual summary posted from Feb 1 – April 30 in each establishment
Severe injury reporting: Fatalities reported within 8 hours; hospitalizations, amputations, or eye losses reported within 24 hours
Records retained 5 years from end of calendar year they cover
OSHA Penalty Structure (2026)
| Violation Type | Penalty Range | Notes |
|---|
| Other-than-serious | Up to $16,550 | No direct relationship to injury/death |
| Serious | $1,116–$16,550 | Substantial probability of serious injury |
| Willful | $11,833–$165,514 | Intentional disregard of OSHA standards |
| Repeat | Up to $165,514 | Same violation within last 5 years |
| Failure to abate | Up to $16,550/day | Per day beyond abatement date |
✅ Penalty Reduction Options
OSHA offers penalty reductions for: good faith efforts to comply (up to 25%), small employer size (up to 70% for employers with 25 or fewer employees), and history of no prior violations (up to 10%). Document all safety program activities to support penalty reduction claims.
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