Masonry contractor OSHA compliance checklist for small business

Last updated 2026-07-11

What OSHA standards apply to masonry contractors?

Masonry work lives under 29 CFR Part 1926, OSHA's construction standards, not the general industry rules in Part 1910. That split matters. The two parts set different requirements for scaffolds, fall protection, and respiratory programs, and OSHA cites you under the wrong-for-your-work standard all the time. If your crew does repair work inside an occupied building, a few 1910 rules can reach those specific tasks. The daily job site is 1926 territory.

Four subparts do most of the work. Subpart Q covers concrete and masonry construction (29 CFR 1926.700 through 1926.706). Subpart L covers scaffolds (29 CFR 1926.450 through 1926.452). Subpart M covers fall protection (29 CFR 1926.500 through 1926.503). Subpart Z covers toxic and hazardous substances, which is where the silica standard sits at 29 CFR 1926.1153 ^[1].

One rule gets underestimated constantly. 29 CFR 1926.706 says a masonry wall over 8 feet tall that isn't structurally supported needs a limited access zone on the unbraced side equal to the wall height plus 4 feet. Small contractors skip this all the time. Inspectors know it, and they look for it.

For OSHA basics and how the agency is organized, that background tells you which area office covers your region and what their local emphasis programs target.

What are the most-cited OSHA violations for masonry contractors?

Five clusters account for most masonry citations: silica, scaffolds, fall protection, wall bracing, and PPE. OSHA enforcement data and Bureau of Labor Statistics injury figures both point the same direction ^[2][3].

Silica is the biggest regulatory focus right now. The construction silica standard (29 CFR 1926.1153) took effect for most employers in September 2017 and has been a top masonry citation category since. Cutting, grinding, tuck-pointing, and demolition all throw off respirable crystalline silica. The permissible exposure limit is 50 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour time-weighted average ^[4]. That's half the old limit.

Scaffold violations under 29 CFR 1926.451 and 1926.452 rank near the top of construction citations year after year. The usual failures: no guardrails above 10 feet, planks not fully decked, no competent person on record.

Fall protection under 29 CFR 1926.502 catches contractors with no written plan for leading-edge or roof work above 6 feet.

Here are the high-frequency violation areas and the standard behind each:

Hazard Area	Primary Standard	Common Failure
Silica dust	29 CFR 1926.1153	No written exposure control plan
Scaffolds	29 CFR 1926.451-452	Missing guardrails, no competent person
Fall protection	29 CFR 1926.502	No written plan, no anchor points
Masonry wall bracing	29 CFR 1926.706	No limited access zone
PPE (eye/face)	29 CFR 1926.102	No protection during cutting/grinding
Hazard communication	29 CFR 1926.59	Missing SDS binders, no labeling
Recordkeeping	29 CFR 1904	No 300 log for employers with 11+ employees
Respiratory protection	29 CFR 1926.103	No written program, no medical eval

The 300 log row needs a footnote. Employers with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the prior calendar year are partially exempt from routine recordkeeping under 29 CFR 1904.1. They still must report any work-related fatality, hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss to OSHA, within 8 hours for a death and 24 hours for the others ^[5].

Does OSHA cover small masonry businesses with only a few employees?

Yes. OSHA's jurisdiction starts at one employee. There is no small-business exemption from the safety standards themselves.

The exemptions that exist are about paperwork. Employers with 10 or fewer employees don't have to keep the OSHA 300 injury log, and certain low-hazard industries get a wider recordkeeping break. Construction isn't a low-hazard industry, so masonry contractors don't get that wider pass at any size ^[5].

The SBA's Office of Advocacy has argued that OSHA's compliance burden falls hard on small firms, and OSHA runs a free on-site consultation program, separate from enforcement, built for small businesses. That program is genuinely useful, and the visit cannot be used to trigger citations ^[6]. State agencies run it under a cooperative agreement with federal OSHA.

A two-person crew still needs a hazard communication program, silica exposure controls, fall protection above 6 feet, and eye and face PPE during cutting. None of that is optional at any headcount.

What written programs does a masonry contractor actually need?

Written programs are where small contractors fall behind. The standard requires a written program whenever it uses the words "written program" or "written plan." Several of those apply to masonry, and they're the first thing an inspector asks for.

Silica Written Exposure Control Plan (29 CFR 1926.1153(e)): Even if you use Table 1 methods (the engineering-controls table that lets you skip air monitoring), you still need a written plan listing the tasks, the controls, the equipment, and who's responsible. It doesn't have to be long. Two pages covering your specific cut-off saw setup and wet methods satisfy it.

Hazard Communication Written Program (29 CFR 1926.59, which adopts 1910.1200): You need a written HazCom program, an inventory of hazardous chemicals, Safety Data Sheets for all of them (mortar, grout, concrete admixtures, solvents, masonry cleaners), and a training record. For more on SDS requirements, see our hazard communication article.

Respiratory Protection Written Program (29 CFR 1910.134, pulled into construction via 29 CFR 1926.103): Required when respirators are used, voluntary or required. It covers medical evaluation, fit testing, respirator selection and cleaning, and training.

Fall Protection Plan (29 CFR 1926.502(k)): Required only when conventional fall protection is infeasible. Most masonry work can use guardrails or personal fall arrest, so a full (k) plan is less common. You still need documented procedures for any work above 6 feet.

Emergency Action Plan (29 CFR 1926.35): Required for worksites with 11 or more employees. It covers evacuation procedures and alarm systems.

Scaffold procedures aren't a separate "written program" standard, but your competent person should document scaffold inspections before each shift. A simple form does the job.

If assembling all of these from scratch sounds like a 15-hour project, SafetyFolio can generate a set of OSHA-aligned written programs tailored to masonry work in about 15 minutes. The output is editable and includes the site-specific blanks OSHA looks for.

What does the OSHA silica rule require for masonry specifically?

The construction silica standard (29 CFR 1926.1153) is the heaviest new compliance load masonry contractors have picked up in a decade. OSHA published it in March 2016, and it became enforceable for construction in September 2017 ^[4].

The rule gives you two paths. Table 1 lists specific tasks (handheld power saw, tuck-pointing grinder, walk-behind saw, stationary masonry saw, milling machine, and more) with the engineering controls and work practices presumed to hold exposures below the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Follow Table 1 and you skip air monitoring. Most small masonry contractors take this path.

Table 1 only applies if you actually run the listed controls. For a handheld power saw cutting masonry outdoors, Table 1 requires either a saw with an integrated water delivery system or a saw with a HEPA vacuum dust collection system. Neither one plus a dust mask does not satisfy Table 1. That puts you on the non-Table 1 path, which means air monitoring, medical surveillance for exposures above the action level, and a longer written plan.

OSHA's language in 29 CFR 1926.1153(a) is that the standard "applies to all occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica in construction work," with a narrow carve-out for tasks where exposure isn't reasonably expected to top 25 micrograms per cubic meter. That exception is smaller than most contractors assume.

Medical surveillance kicks in for employees exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year. A full-time mason cutting block crosses that line almost every time. The exam includes a chest X-ray, a lung function test, and a TB test, paid for by the employer and done by a PLHCP (physician or licensed health care professional) ^[4].

What PPE does OSHA require on a masonry job site?

PPE requirements are spread across several construction subparts. Here's the working list for masonry, with the standard behind each.

Eye and face protection (29 CFR 1926.102): Safety glasses or goggles for any task with flying particles, concrete splatter, or chemical exposure. During angle grinding or cutting, a face shield over safety glasses is the right call, because a face shield alone doesn't meet the eye protection requirement.

Respiratory protection: When silica controls don't pull exposure below the PEL, or when you're doing a task Table 1 doesn't cover, a NIOSH-approved N95 or half-face respirator with P100 filters is the floor. P100 filters catch more of the fine respirable fraction, so they beat N95s for silica. No bandanas, no paper dust masks.

Hand protection (29 CFR 1926.28): The standard is general, but cement and mortar cause serious chemical burns with prolonged skin contact. Nitrile or rubber gloves fit the job. Portland cement runs highly alkaline (pH around 12 to 13) and causes delayed burns that workers often don't feel until the damage is done.

Hearing protection: Masonry cutting and grinding can hit 95 to 105 dB. OSHA's construction noise standard (29 CFR 1926.52) asks for feasible engineering and administrative controls first, then hearing protection once exposures top 90 dB as an 8-hour TWA. Earplugs or earmuffs during extended cutting are cheap and appropriate.

Head protection (29 CFR 1926.100): Hard hats where there's overhead work, falling objects, or electrical hazards. On a masonry site with scaffold work overhead, that's essentially always.

Foot protection: No single standard names steel toes, but they're expected under the employer's PPE hazard assessment (29 CFR 1926.28 read with the hazard assessment requirement imported from 29 CFR 1910.132(d)).

For a closer look at PPE requirements generally, that article covers the hazard assessment documentation OSHA expects.

Say this part plainly: PPE is the last line of defense. OSHA's hierarchy of controls puts engineering controls (wet cutting, vacuum collection, isolation) above PPE. An inspector who sees a worker leaning on a respirator when wet cutting was feasible will cite the employer for skipping feasible engineering controls, harder than for the PPE choice.

What are the scaffold requirements for masonry work?

Scaffolds are the other big citation magnet for masonry. The standard is 29 CFR 1926.451 (general scaffold requirements) and 29 CFR 1926.452 (specific scaffold types).

Know the numbers. Scaffold platforms need guardrails on all open sides and ends when the platform sits 10 feet or more above the lower level, for most scaffold types. Platforms must be fully planked or decked, with gaps between planks no larger than 1 inch. Scaffold components must support at least 4 times the maximum intended load ^[7].

A competent person has to inspect scaffolds before each work shift and after anything that could affect structural integrity, like a wind event, a collision, or an alteration. That person must be able to spot hazards and have authority to fix them. This is more than a name on a form. Inspectors ask your workers who the competent person is. If nobody can name someone, that's a citation.

Access needs a ladder or stairway whenever the scaffold sits more than 2 feet above or below the point of access. Cross-bracing doesn't count as access unless it meets the dimensional criteria in 29 CFR 1926.451(e)(5).

Masonry adds its own wrinkle. Laying up a wall from a scaffold puts workers at risk from the scaffold and from the wall face at once. Limited access zones under 1926.706 have to hold during wall construction no matter how the scaffold is set up.

Scaffolding is also where subcontractor fights start. Rent scaffold and erect it yourself, and you own its compliance. If a general contractor erects scaffold your workers use, both employers can share liability under the multi-employer worksite doctrine.

What training does OSHA require for masonry workers?

Masonry training requirements come from several standards, not one. Here are the mandatory pieces.

Silica training (29 CFR 1926.1153(i)(1)): Workers exposed to silica must be trained on health effects, the operations that generate exposure, ways to limit it, the engineering and work practice controls, and the respiratory protection program. No hour count is set, but the training has to hit all those topics and be documented.

Scaffold training (29 CFR 1926.454): Every employee who works on a scaffold must be trained by a competent person before working on it. Topics: the nature of electrical hazards, fall hazards, falling-object hazards, scaffold procedures, and how to handle materials up top. Refresher training is required when what you see on site says a worker didn't retain it.

Fall protection training (29 CFR 1926.503): Required before any employee does work that needs fall protection. It covers recognizing fall hazards and using the systems correctly.

Hazard communication training (29 CFR 1910.1200(h), adopted via 1926.59): Before workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals, and again when new hazards show up. It must cover the SDS format, label elements, and how to actually use the information.

Respiratory protection training (29 CFR 1910.134(k)): Annual, for any worker wearing a respirator. Topics include why the respirator is needed, its limits, how to inspect and wear it, and how to spot a malfunction.

OSHA 10-hour construction training isn't required by a federal standard (a handful of states mandate it through state plans), but it's a fair baseline for workers and supervisors. The OSHA 30-hour course fits foremen and owners who need broader compliance knowledge. See our OSHA 30 training article for what it covers and who it suits.

Keep the records. Name, date, topics covered, trainer name. A one-page sign-in sheet with those fields works fine. OSHA asks for records during an inspection and can cite you for inadequate training even when the training happened.

What does OSHA recordkeeping require for masonry contractors?

Recordkeeping under 29 CFR 1904 is simple once you know the thresholds.

Employers with 11 or more employees must keep an OSHA 300 Log (of work-related injuries and illnesses), complete a 300A Annual Summary, and fill out a 301 Incident Report for each recordable case. The 300A stays posted from February 1 through April 30 of the year after the year it summarizes.

Employers with 10 or fewer employees at all times during the prior calendar year are exempt from routine 1904 recordkeeping. Here's the catch everyone misses. Every employer, regardless of size, must report severe injuries to OSHA directly. A fatality gets reported within 8 hours. An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss gets reported within 24 hours. You report by calling 1-800-321-OSHA or going to your local OSHA area office ^[5].

What counts as recordable? Any work-related injury or illness that leads to days away from work, restricted work, transfer to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or a significant injury or illness diagnosed by a health care professional. First aid only (bandages, OTC medications) is not recordable.

For detail on the forms and how to fill them out, our incident report article walks through the 301 form.

Some states run their own OSHA plans with different reporting windows. California's Cal/OSHA, for one, requires reporting of serious injuries within 24 hours. Check whether your state has a State Plan.

What happens during an OSHA inspection of a masonry contractor?

OSHA inspections come from three sources: worker complaints, referrals from other agencies, and programmed inspections under local or national emphasis programs. Masonry falls under OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Respirable Crystalline Silica, so the industry can be picked for inspection with no complaint at all ^[8].

Here's how it actually goes. The compliance officer (CO) arrives and presents credentials. Ask to see them. The CO runs an opening conference, explains why they're there, and asks for your written programs and injury logs. This is not the moment to get adversarial. Let them in.

The walkaround covers the active work area. The CO watches tasks, checks scaffolds, talks to workers (they have the right to speak privately with workers), and takes samples if they suspect silica overexposure. Workers can't be punished for talking to the CO or for reporting hazards.

At the closing conference, the CO describes what they saw. Citations aren't handed over on the spot. The formal citation comes by mail, usually within 6 months.

Penalties have climbed under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act. As of 2024, serious violations run up to $16,550 each. Willful or repeated violations run up to $165,514 each ^[9]. Amounts adjust every year.

You have 15 working days from receiving a citation to contest it. Miss that window and it becomes a final order. A good-faith correction history, small size, and clean prior record can pull penalties down through informal talks with the area director before you formally contest.

For employers who've never had a professional safety review, running supervisors through the OSHA 30-hour construction course before an inspection gives them enough background to answer CO questions accurately. The OSHA 30 credential also reads as a good-faith effort.

How do you build a masonry safety program from scratch?

A safety program doesn't have to be a 60-page binder. A small masonry contractor needs a written document for each required program, training records, and an inspection log. That's the whole spine of it.

Start with the four documents OSHA is most likely to request on a masonry inspection: the silica exposure control plan, the hazard communication program with SDS binder, the respiratory protection program, and fall protection procedures. Write those first.

Next, build a simple new-hire training record form: worker name, date hired, topics covered, trainer signature. Do the same for annual refreshers. No records, and OSHA presumes the training never happened.

For scaffolds, a one-page pre-shift checklist signed by the competent person each day builds a defensible paper trail. It takes 5 minutes.

Toolbox talks (short weekly safety meetings, 5 to 10 minutes each) aren't required by a specific standard, but they're recognized practice and stand as evidence of ongoing safety communication. Keep a sign-in sheet.

SafetyFolio's program generator is built for contractors who need these written programs fast and correct. You answer questions about your work type, crew size, and state, and it produces the written programs formatted the way OSHA expects. Run through it before your next big job, or any job where a GC wants proof of a safety program.

One honest note. No template or generator replaces someone who knows your site. Walk your jobsite with fresh eyes every Monday. Physical conditions change faster than any paper program tracks.

What are the fall protection rules specific to masonry work?

Fall protection in construction kicks in at 6 feet above a lower level under 29 CFR 1926.502. That trigger covers most masonry work: laying brick on a second story, working from a scaffold, working at a parapet, tuck-pointing off a ladder.

Acceptable systems are guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), and safety net systems. For masonry, the practical picks are usually guardrails on scaffolds (already required by 1926.451) or a PFAS when working from a swing stage, a single-point suspended scaffold, or an elevated surface where guardrails aren't feasible.

A PFAS needs a full-body harness (belts are prohibited), a lanyard or self-retracting lifeline, and an anchor point rated to hold at least 5,000 pounds, or designed by a qualified person to keep a safety factor of 2 ^[7]. Anchor points on masonry walls need engineering review, because masonry rarely hits a reliable 5,000-pound anchor rating without embedded hardware.

Ladder safety is related but separate. Three-point contact is a practice standard, not a specific citation item, but 29 CFR 1926.1053 governs ladders in detail: a 1-in-4 angle, extending 3 feet above the landing, secured top and bottom for portables. Extension ladders used for scaffold access answer to this standard.

BLS data from 2022 shows falls remain the leading cause of construction fatalities, at roughly 36% of all construction worker deaths ^[3]. Masonry workers sit inside that number. The 6-foot rule exists because that's where people die.

Frequently asked questions

Does a masonry contractor with only 2 employees need OSHA compliance?

Yes. OSHA covers employers with one or more employees. There's no size exemption from safety standards. A two-person masonry operation still needs silica controls, fall protection above 6 feet, PPE, hazard communication, and respiratory protection when using respirators. The only partial exemption is recordkeeping: employers with 10 or fewer employees don't have to keep the OSHA 300 log, but they still must report fatalities, hospitalizations, amputations, and eye losses.

What is the OSHA standard for masonry walls during construction?

29 CFR 1926.706 governs masonry walls during construction. Any masonry wall over 8 feet tall that isn't adequately supported must have a limited access zone on its unbraced side. That zone equals the wall height plus 4 feet and runs the entire length of the wall. Only workers active in laying the wall may enter it. The zone must be established before lifting operations begin and stay in place until the wall is braced.

What silica exposure controls does OSHA require for masonry cutting?

Under 29 CFR 1926.1153, Table 1, masonry cutting with a handheld power saw requires either a saw with an integrated water delivery system or a HEPA vacuum dust collection system. Cutting should happen outdoors or in well-ventilated areas when using Table 1 controls. If those controls aren't used, the employer must conduct air monitoring, write an exposure control plan, and provide medical surveillance for workers exposed above the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter.

Do masonry contractors need a written safety program?

Yes. Specific OSHA standards require several: a silica exposure control plan (1926.1153), a hazard communication program (1910.1200 via 1926.59), and a respiratory protection program (1910.134 via 1926.103) when respirators are used. A fall protection plan is required when conventional protection is infeasible. These don't have to be long documents, but they must be written, site-specific, and available to employees and OSHA inspectors on request.

How much can OSHA fine a masonry contractor for violations?

As of 2024, serious violation penalties can reach $16,550 per violation. Willful or repeated violations can reach $165,514 per violation. Amounts adjust annually under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Improvements Act. Factors that cut penalties include employer size, good-faith effort, and history of prior violations. Contesting a citation within 15 working days of receipt opens the door to informal settlement talks with the area director.

What OSHA training is required for masonry workers?

Required training includes silica hazard training (1926.1153), scaffold safety training before working on any scaffold (1926.454), fall protection training before any work requiring fall protection (1926.503), hazard communication training before exposure to hazardous chemicals (1910.1200), and respiratory protection training annually when respirators are used (1910.134). All training must be documented with the worker's name, date, topics covered, and trainer name.

What PPE is required for masonry workers cutting block or brick?

OSHA requires safety glasses or goggles for cutting tasks (1926.102). A face shield over safety glasses is better practice for angle grinding. An N95 or half-face respirator with P100 filters is required when silica engineering controls alone don't hold exposures below the PEL of 50 micrograms per cubic meter. Hearing protection fits when noise tops 90 dB as an 8-hour average. Hard hats and leather or rubber gloves round out the standard kit.

Are scaffolds required to have guardrails on masonry jobs?

Yes. Under 29 CFR 1926.451, scaffold platforms 10 feet or more above the lower level must have guardrails on all open sides and ends. Toprails must sit between 38 and 45 inches high, with a midrail. Platforms must be fully planked with gaps no larger than 1 inch. A competent person must inspect the scaffold before each work shift and document it. Masonry contractors who build their own scaffolds are fully responsible for compliance.

Does OSHA require masonry workers to wear respirators during tuck-pointing?

OSHA's Table 1 in 29 CFR 1926.1153 covers tuck-pointing with an angle grinder. The required control is a HEPA vacuum dust collection system with a shroud. Even with that system working correctly, respirators are still required: Table 1 lists a half-face respirator with P100 filters (or better) as the respiratory protection for tuck-pointing. The respirator is required for this task even when the dust collection system runs as intended.

What should a masonry contractor do when OSHA shows up to inspect?

Verify the compliance officer's credentials. Allow the inspection; you can't legally bar entry without a warrant, and trying usually makes things worse. Provide your written programs and injury logs when asked. You or a supervisor should walk with the CO. Workers have the right to speak privately with the CO. Take your own notes during the walk. At the closing conference, listen and ask clarifying questions. You have 15 working days from receiving a citation to contest it.

What reporting is required after a worker injury on a masonry site?

Every employer, regardless of size, must report a work-related fatality to OSHA within 8 hours. Work-related in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss must be reported within 24 hours. Report by calling 1-800-321-OSHA or visiting the local area office. Employers with 11 or more employees must also log the injury on an OSHA 300 Log and fill out a 301 incident report. Some states with State OSHA Plans have shorter or different windows.

Is OSHA 30 required for masonry contractors or supervisors?

No federal OSHA standard requires the OSHA 30-hour construction course for masonry supervisors. Some state plans, general contractors, and public project bid requirements mandate it. The OSHA 30 is still worth doing: it covers silica, fall protection, scaffolds, and recordkeeping in depth, and it gives supervisors enough background to answer a compliance officer's questions accurately. It also reads as good-faith effort if you're ever contested on a citation.

What is a masonry competent person under OSHA?

OSHA defines a competent person as someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take corrective measures (29 CFR 1926.32(f)). For masonry, you need a competent person designated for scaffold inspections and for silica controls. No certification is required, but they need real knowledge and documented authority to stop work or fix problems.

Does OSHA cover subcontractors on a masonry job site?

Yes. Under OSHA's multi-employer worksite doctrine, both creating employers (who create a hazard) and controlling employers (who have supervisory authority over the site) can be cited, even when the affected workers belong to a different subcontractor. A general contractor can be cited for a masonry sub's silica controls failure if the GC held overall site control. Each employer is primarily responsible for the safety of its own employees.

Sources

1. OSHA, 29 CFR Part 1926 Construction Standards (full text): 29 CFR Part 1926 is the primary OSHA standard set for construction work including masonry; Subparts L, M, Q, and Z cover scaffolds, fall protection, concrete/masonry, and silica respectively
2. OSHA, Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards: Scaffolding and fall protection standards are consistently among the most-cited OSHA violations in construction
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 2022: Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in construction, accounting for roughly 36% of all construction worker deaths in 2022
4. OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.1153 Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction: The permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica is 50 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA; the action level is 25 micrograms per cubic meter; the rule became enforceable for construction in September 2017
5. OSHA, 29 CFR Part 1904 Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses: Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from routine 300 log recordkeeping; all employers must report fatalities within 8 hours and hospitalizations, amputations, or eye losses within 24 hours
6. OSHA, On-Site Consultation Program for Small Businesses: OSHA's free on-site consultation program for small businesses is separate from enforcement; consultation visits cannot trigger citations
7. OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.451 General Requirements for Scaffolds: Scaffold platforms at 10 feet or above require guardrails; scaffold components must support at least 4 times maximum intended load; anchor points for PFAS must withstand 5,000 pounds
8. OSHA, National Emphasis Program on Respirable Crystalline Silica (CPL 03-00-023): OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Respirable Crystalline Silica allows for programmed inspections of construction employers in masonry and similar industries without a prior complaint
9. OSHA, Civil Penalty Schedule (Federal Register Inflation Adjustments): As of 2024, serious violations carry penalties up to $16,550 per violation; willful or repeated violations carry penalties up to $165,514 per violation
10. OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.706 Requirements for Masonry Construction: Masonry walls over 8 feet tall without adequate structural support require a limited access zone on the unbraced side equal to the wall height plus 4 feet for the entire wall length
11. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection Standard: A written respiratory protection program, medical evaluation, and annual fit testing are required for any employee required to wear a respirator; annual training is required
12. OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.454 Scaffold Training Requirements: Each employee who works on a scaffold must be trained by a competent person before working on the scaffold; topics include fall hazards, electrical hazards, falling object hazards, and scaffold procedures