1926.21 Construction Safety Training: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Construction employers must teach each worker to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and must explain the regulations that apply to their work environment. The section also calls for specific instruction for workers who handle poisons, caustics, or flammable liquids or toxic materials, and who may be exposed to harmful plants or animals. The obligations apply to every construction employer, regardless of size.
What the standard requires
- Instruct each employee in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions
- Explain the regulations that apply to the employee's work
- Train workers handling hazardous substances on safe use and protection
- Instruct employees exposed to harmful plants or animals on hazards and first aid
Hazards it addresses
- Injuries due to workers not recognizing hazards
- Exposure to toxic or flammable substances
- Bites, stings, and poisoning from harmful plants or animals
Frequently cited in construction, especially with fall, trenching, and electrical hazards where training was lacking.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.21(b)(2) | Each employee must be instructed in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and applicable regulations. | 401 | 400 | $3,972 |
| 1926.21(b)(5) | 2 | 2 | $5,154 | |
| 1926.21(b)(1) | 1 | 1 | $956 | |
| 1926.21(b)(4) | 1 | 1 | $11,823 |
Penalties
Across 405 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $2,570,133 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $2,148,618, 16% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 78%; Other-than-serious 20%; Repeat 1%; Willful 1%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 41 | 41 | $262,445 | $232,758 |
| New York | 33 | 33 | $146,409 | $108,504 |
| Illinois | 30 | 30 | $75,580 | $58,242 |
| Massachusetts | 30 | 30 | $187,529 | $125,624 |
| Florida | 25 | 25 | $169,812 | $143,288 |
| New Jersey | 19 | 19 | $158,679 | $143,726 |
| Kentucky | 18 | 19 | $94,800 | $84,140 |
| North Carolina | 17 | 17 | $132,470 | $121,572 |
| Iowa | 11 | 11 | $74,954 | $61,372 |
| Ohio | 11 | 11 | $130,604 | $81,861 |
| Puerto Rico | 11 | 11 | $34,406 | $19,778 |
| Maryland | 10 | 10 | $17,575 | $13,789 |
| Oklahoma | 10 | 10 | $75,303 | $60,443 |
| Tennessee | 10 | 10 | $80,800 | $84,800 |
| New Hampshire | 9 | 9 | $7,803 | $2,837 |
| Rhode Island | 9 | 9 | $14,043 | $10,228 |
| Virginia | 9 | 9 | $4,115 | $8,630 |
| Arizona | 8 | 8 | $43,982 | $46,820 |
| Georgia | 8 | 8 | $43,409 | $43,409 |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 8 | $57,926 | $41,230 |
By industry
- Construction: 349 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 14 inspections
- Manufacturing: 13 inspections
- Utilities: 8 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 4 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 3 inspections
- Real estate & rental: 3 inspections
- Public administration: 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truluck Construction Inc. | Summerville, SC | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Status not determinableAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Tiger Concrete and Screed, LLC | Lakeland, FL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $6,620 | $6,620 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Kankakee, IL | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Quartz Transport, LLC | Spruce Pine, NC | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $8,275 | $8,275 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Alvey's Sign Co. Inc. | Peoria, IL | Aug 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Elite Grading, LLC | Hixson, TN | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $800 | $800 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Cedar Mill Group Inc. | Manchester, NH | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $2,837 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Action Insulation Services, Inc. | Lithia Springs, GA | Aug 21, 2026 | 1 | $6,620 | $6,620 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 14, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| TC Squared, Inc. | Pensacola, FL | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $6,621 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Cedar Park, TX | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $2,270 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 10, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Maronda Homes of Cincinnati LLC | Rabbit Hash, KY | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $6,300 | $6,300 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 24, 2026Contested Sep 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Bader Brothers Enterprises, LLC | Monroe, WI | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $9,268 | $4,727 | Informal settlementAbatement due Nov 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Finsterwald Irrigation and Landscape Services, Limited | Colorado Springs, CO | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $9,268 | $5,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hgo Renovations LLC | Lincoln, IL | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $2,270 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Cumming, GA | Aug 17, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 8, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Tangent Construction Inc. | Elmwood Park, NJ | Aug 17, 2026 | 1 | $11,585 | $11,585 | OpenAbatement due Sep 11, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 8, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| United General Construction LLC | Sunland Park, NM | Aug 17, 2026 | 1 | $4,966 | $4,966 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 11, 2026Contested Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Armada Poured Walls LLC | Rabbit Hash, KY | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 18, 2026Contested Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Paramount Realty Services Incorporated | Enfield, CT | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $11,585 | $11,585 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 29, 2026Contested Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| JP Contractors Inc. | Enfield, CT | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $5,958 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 29, 2026Contested Aug 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Art Masonry & Brick Inc. | Chicago, IL | Aug 12, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D Cruz Drywall LLC | Springfield, OH | Aug 10, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 31, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Hert's Service Company | Frisco, TX | Aug 7, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| RB Construction IL Inc. | Glasford, IL | Aug 7, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,135 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kaufman Concrete Cutting Company | Louisville, KY | Aug 6, 2026 | 1 | $5,600 | $3,360 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Olean City Water Distribution | Olean, NY | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kupferschmid Construction, Inc. dba Integrabuild | Peoria, IL | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $1,419 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Bethesda, MD | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 | OpenAbatement due Aug 12, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 25, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| All Framing & Remodeling LLC | Tulsa, OK | Aug 3, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Young's Excavating & Paving, LLC | Concord, NH | Jul 30, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Tinley Park, IL | Jul 30, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Northing Concrete Construction LLC | Melbourne, FL | Jul 30, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Shoreline Commercial Interiors Inc. | Newport News, VA | Jul 30, 2026 | 1 | $3,255 | $3,255 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 3, 2026Contested Aug 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pro CA-SA Construction Corp. | Brooklyn, NY | Jul 29, 2026 | 1 | $4,965 | $4,965 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 10, 2026Contested Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| J - L Electrical Contractors LLC | Glendale, KY | Jul 28, 2026 | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jam Investment LLC of AL | Duluth, GA | Jul 28, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| J. Fletcher Creamer & Son Inc. | Plainsboro, NJ | Jul 28, 2026 | 1 | $14,187 | $14,187 | ContestedContested Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Alfred Oil Incorporated | Sanford, ME | Jul 28, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Daher Contracting Inc. | Pace, FL | Jul 27, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $6,621 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 24, 2026 | osha.gov |
| MD Electric Co. | Glendale, KY | Jul 27, 2026 | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (87 shared inspections)
- 1926.651 Excavation Safety (80 shared inspections)
- 1926.652 Trench Cave-In Protection (71 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (67 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (46 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (45 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (45 shared inspections)
- 1926.416 Electrical Work Practices (30 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.21 require?
Construction employers must teach each worker to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions and must explain the regulations that apply to their work environment. The section also calls for specific instruction for workers who handle poisons, caustics, or flammable liquids or toxic materials, and who may be exposed to harmful plants or animals. The obligations apply to every construction employer, regardless of size.
How often was 1926.21 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.21 (Construction Safety Training) appeared in 403 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 405 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.21 is cited most?
1926.21(b)(2) was the most-cited paragraph, with 401 items: Each employee must be instructed in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and applicable regulations.
Which states cite 1926.21 most often?
The most citations under 1926.21 in this period were issued in Texas, New York, Illinois.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.21 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $3,972; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $3,200. Totals: $2,570,133 proposed, $2,148,618 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.21 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 16% 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.