1926.20 Construction Safety Programs: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This construction rule requires contractors to start and maintain programs that prevent accidents, including frequent and regular jobsite inspections by competent persons. It prohibits using machinery, tools, materials, or equipment that do not comply with OSHA rules and requires that unsafe items be tagged, locked, or removed. Only employees qualified by training or experience may operate equipment and machinery. It applies to general contractors and subcontractors alike.
What the standard requires
- Initiate and maintain an accident prevention program
- Have competent persons inspect jobsites, materials, and equipment frequently
- Tag, lock, or remove unsafe tools and equipment from service
- Allow only trained or experienced employees to operate equipment
Hazards it addresses
- Uncontrolled jobsite hazards from lack of inspections
- Injuries from defective tools and machinery
- Accidents caused by untrained equipment operators
Widely cited across residential and commercial construction, often paired with fall protection and scaffold violations.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.20(b)(2) | Programs must include frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment by competent persons. | 683 | 682 | $3,547 |
| 1926.20(b)(1) | Employer must initiate and maintain programs needed to comply with construction safety standards. | 321 | 321 | $2,000 |
| 1926.20(b)(4) | Only employees qualified by training or experience may operate equipment and machinery. | 17 | 17 | $4,965 |
| 1926.20(f)(2) | 4 | 4 | $10,758 | |
| 1926.20(b)(3) | Noncompliant machinery, tools, and equipment must be tagged, locked, or removed to prevent use. | 2 | 2 | $17,202 |
| 1926.20(f)(1) | 1 | 1 | $750 |
Penalties
Across 1,028 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $4,645,317 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $3,675,905, 21% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 71%; Other-than-serious 17%; Repeat 12%; Willful 0%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 147 | 233 | $446,861 | $424,551 |
| Ohio | 105 | 106 | $678,828 | $529,913 |
| Illinois | 79 | 111 | $671,811 | $522,567 |
| Massachusetts | 64 | 64 | $309,138 | $215,027 |
| Pennsylvania | 64 | 67 | $292,442 | $239,347 |
| North Carolina | 47 | 54 | $152,115 | $135,995 |
| Texas | 41 | 44 | $256,430 | $199,251 |
| Florida | 38 | 41 | $257,216 | $196,768 |
| New Hampshire | 35 | 53 | $162,688 | $118,986 |
| Wisconsin | 29 | 30 | $325,282 | $296,303 |
| Puerto Rico | 20 | 22 | $20,812 | $14,958 |
| Minnesota | 19 | 19 | $139,350 | $131,910 |
| South Dakota | 19 | 19 | $20,415 | $15,426 |
| Indiana | 18 | 18 | $13,400 | $11,160 |
| Colorado | 14 | 14 | $82,334 | $48,183 |
| New York | 14 | 14 | $88,974 | $64,275 |
| Oregon | 12 | 12 | $40,098 | $39,280 |
| Virginia | 12 | 13 | $9,630 | $8,601 |
| Iowa | 11 | 13 | $67,826 | $52,450 |
| West Virginia | 11 | 11 | $0 | $0 |
By industry
- Construction: 825 inspections
- Manufacturing: 17 inspections
- Utilities: 7 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 4 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 3 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 2 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 2 inspections
- Information: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thorndike Construction Corporation | Plymouth, MA | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $11,585 | $8,110 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| DLT Roofing, Inc. | Fort Bragg, NC | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Genesis Homes, Inc. | Johnston, IA | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $5,675 | $5,675 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| D Santos Construction, LLC | Philadelphia, PA | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $3,972 | $1,986 | OpenAbatement due Oct 16, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Dan Waibel Designer Builder, LLC | Peoria, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $3,311 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Smithsburg, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $1,400 | $1,400 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Knox Marsh Development LLC | Dover, NH | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Nov 30, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| S.u.r Construction, Inc. | Dover, NH | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $5,296 | $2,118 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Melendez Quality Roofing LLC | Wilmington, NC | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ken Glanzer Construction | Sioux Falls, SD | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The AD Group Co. | West Roxbury, MA | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $1,986 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Kankakee, IL | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $1,230 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lions Rock Roofing, LLC | Vermillion, SD | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Contracting Specialists South East, LLC | Miami Beach, FL | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $4,635 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Brazil Construction Enterprises Inc. | Miami Beach, FL | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $6,621 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 15, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Alvey's Sign Co. Inc. | Peoria, IL | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $5,296 | $3,707 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Chasco Constructors, LLC | Cedar Park, TX | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $5,674 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| American Liberty Roofing | Bloomington, IL | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $2,979 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| JG Roofing ATX, LLC | Cedar Park, TX | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $1,702 | $1,021 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Macbe Construction LLC | Champaign, IL | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | OpenAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 11, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Drake General Contracting LLC | Atlanta, GA | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| MH Infinity Roofing and Construction, PLLC | Maineville, OH | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Sep 23, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 10, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Crawfurd Company, LLC | Castle Rock, CO | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,800 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Synergy Enterprises LLC | Wooster, OH | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jared Rudlong Construction LLC | Faribault, MN | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Ocean City, MD | Aug 19, 2026 | 2 | $1,400 | $1,400 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 10, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Racine, WI | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $29,790 | $29,790 | OpenAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Canaca Remodeling Services LLC | Cincinnati, OH | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $11,916 | $11,916 | OpenAbatement due Oct 5, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Roger General Construction LLC | Hagerstown, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Hamilton, OH | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | OpenAbatement due Oct 5, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Racine, WI | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $29,790 | $29,790 | OpenAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Paul Exterior Design LLC | Mankato, MN | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $12,600 | $12,600 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Waukesha, WI | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $29,790 | $29,790 | OpenAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Arnold & Sons Plumbing-Heating-A/C, Inc. | Morton, IL | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $7,944 | $7,944 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hgo Renovations LLC | Lincoln, IL | Aug 18, 2026 | 2 | $2,838 | $2,838 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Tommy a Construction LLC | Severna Park, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 2 | $1,400 | $1,400 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Ambrose Design Inc. | Belleair Beach, FL | Aug 17, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 8, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Hamilton, OH | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | OpenAbatement due Sep 18, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 4, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| J & E Utilities LLC | Goshen, IN | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $600 | $600 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 16, 2026Contested Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Heins Contracting LLC | Burnsville, MN | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $2,800 | $1,680 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (467 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (331 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (232 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (179 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (111 shared inspections)
- 1926.1060 Ladder and Stair Training (101 shared inspections)
- 1926.21 Construction Safety Training (87 shared inspections)
- 1926.451 Scaffold Safety (79 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.20 require?
This construction rule requires contractors to start and maintain programs that prevent accidents, including frequent and regular jobsite inspections by competent persons. It prohibits using machinery, tools, materials, or equipment that do not comply with OSHA rules and requires that unsafe items be tagged, locked, or removed. Only employees qualified by training or experience may operate equipment and machinery. It applies to general contractors and subcontractors alike.
How often was 1926.20 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.20 (Construction Safety Programs) appeared in 866 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 1,028 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.20 is cited most?
1926.20(b)(2) was the most-cited paragraph, with 683 items: Programs must include frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment by competent persons.
Which states cite 1926.20 most often?
The most citations under 1926.20 in this period were issued in Maryland, Ohio, Illinois.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.20 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $3,218; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,128. Totals: $4,645,317 proposed, $3,675,905 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.20 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 9% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.