Ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053)
Ladder violations are among the top 5 most cited OSHA standards in construction. 29 CFR 1926.1053 covers ladder design, construction, and use requirements — including setup angles, extension heights, and load ratings.
What 29 CFR 1926.1053 Requires
Ladder requirements under Subpart X apply to every construction site. Ladders are the most commonly used access equipment in the industry, which is precisely why violations are so frequently cited. The standard covers setup, capacity, condition, and worker behavior:
- Extension ladders must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface
- Ladders must be set at a 4:1 ratio (75-degree angle)
- Non-self-supporting ladders must be secured at the top
- Portable ladders must support at least four times the intended load
- Defective ladders must be tagged and removed from service
- Workers must face the ladder while climbing and maintain three-point contact
Most Common Violations
Ladder violations are often cited because they are immediately visible during the walkaround. An inspector does not need to review documents to see a ladder that fails to extend 3 feet above the landing or is set at the wrong angle. These are the violations cited most often:
- Extension ladders not extending 3 feet above the landing surface
- Ladders not secured at the top to prevent displacement
- Improper setup angle (too steep or too shallow)
- Defective ladders still in service without being tagged out
- Workers carrying materials while climbing (no three-point contact)
- Ladders placed on unstable or uneven surfaces
Penalty Exposure
Penalty range: $1,190–$16,550 per serious violation; up to $165,514 per willful violation
While individual ladder citations may seem smaller than other standards, they add up quickly. Each improperly set up ladder is a separate violation — a site with four non-compliant ladders can face four separate citations, each up to $16,550 in 2026. On larger jobsites, ladder violations are frequently grouped with fall protection citations under Subpart M, compounding the total penalty exposure.
Documentation matters for penalty reduction even with ladder violations. Contractors who can demonstrate a systematic inspection process, documented training, and a protocol for removing defective equipment from service are more likely to receive penalty reductions. Those without any records face the full penalty schedule and risk repeat violation multipliers on subsequent inspections.
Documentation You Need
Ladder documentation is often the weakest area in an otherwise strong safety program. Many contractors document fall protection and scaffold inspections but overlook ladders entirely. A thorough approach to daily documentation should include ladder compliance checks:
- Ladder inspection records (pre-use inspections documented)
- Training records for ladder safety — proper setup, use, and limitations
- Defective equipment removal logs with dates and disposition
- Competent person training for ladder inspection
- Daily site inspection records noting ladder setup compliance
- Corrective action records when violations are observed
What Inspectors Look For
Ladder compliance is one of the easiest things for an inspector to evaluate during a site walkaround. They can spot violations from across the jobsite without needing to request a single document. But documentation still matters — here is the complete picture of what inspectors evaluate:
- Physical setup: angle, extension height, securing at top
- Condition of ladders in use — visible damage, missing rungs, labels
- Training records demonstrating workers know proper ladder use
- Evidence of regular inspection — are damaged ladders being removed?
- Worker behavior — three-point contact, facing the ladder
- Appropriate ladder type for the task (step vs. extension vs. specialty)
Stop Overlooking Ladder Documentation
The OSHA Defense Documentation System includes equipment inspection templates, training record forms, and ladder-specific checklist items in the pre-inspection simulation — covering every ladder documentation requirement under Subpart X.
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