OSHA Ladder Safety Rules: What Every Worker Should Know

Falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and deaths, and many happen from heights of less than 10 feet. OSHA’s construction ladder standard (1926.1053) appears on the list of most frequently cited standards year after year. Most ladder falls come down to a few avoidable mistakes: the wrong ladder for the job, poor setup, overreaching, and carrying things while climbing.

• Place ladders on stable, level surfaces, and secure them or use slip-resistant feet on slippery surfaces.
• Secure the top and bottom when the ladder could be displaced, and keep the area around the top and bottom clear.
• Barricade or guard ladders set up in doorways, passageways or driveways where they could be bumped.
• Fully open stepladders and lock the spreaders before climbing. Never use a stepladder folded and leaned against a wall.
• Do not stand on the top cap or the top step of a stepladder.
• Use ladders with nonconductive side rails (such as fiberglass) when you could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.

• Do not carry any object or load that could make you lose your balance. Use a tool belt, hoist or helper.
• Do not overreach. Keep your belt buckle between the side rails and climb down to move the ladder.
• Use ladders only for their designed purpose. Do not tie ladders together to make them longer or use them as platforms or scaffold planks unless designed for it.
• Do not exceed the rated load, which includes your body weight, clothing, tools and materials.
• Do not move, shift or extend a ladder while someone is on it.
• Keep rungs, steps and cleats free of oil, grease, mud, ice and other slipping hazards.

Ladder rungs and steps must be evenly spaced, typically 10 to 14 inches apart, and be shaped so a foot cannot slip off.

Ladder duty ratings come from ANSI standards and are printed on the label. Pick a ladder rated for your weight plus everything you carry:

Most job sites use Type I or higher. Type III ladders are meant for light household use and are not a good choice for work. Choose a ladder long enough that you do not need to stand on the top rungs or top step.

In general industry, ladders must be inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more often as needed, for visible defects. In construction, a competent person must inspect ladders periodically and after any event that could have damaged them.

Look for cracked or bent rails, missing or loose rungs and steps, damaged feet, broken spreaders or locks, worn ropes and pulleys on extension ladders, and corrosion or slippery contamination. A ladder with structural defects must be tagged “Do Not Use” (or similar) and removed from service until it is repaired or thrown away.

Fixed ladders have their own rules. In general industry, fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet must be equipped with a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system, and cages and wells may no longer be used as the only fall protection after November 18, 2036.

In construction (1926.1060), every worker who uses ladders and stairways must be trained by a competent person to recognize hazards and follow procedures that minimize them, including the nature of fall hazards, correct construction, use, placement and care of ladders, maximum intended loads, and the requirements of Subpart X. Retraining is required as needed to maintain understanding.

In general industry (1910.30(b)), employers must train each worker who uses ladders on the proper care, inspection, storage and use of the equipment before they use it.

OSHA does not approve, certify or accredit online training providers. An online course is a quick, practical way to cover the rules and hazards. Your employer should add site-specific training on the ladders, tasks and conditions at your workplace and confirm you can set up and use them correctly. With Gama Safety you pass the exam with 80% or better (unlimited free retakes) and download your certificate and printable wallet card right away.