Ladders, Construction • Regulation 29 CFR 1926.1053

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Ladders are essential tools on many worksites, enabling employees to access heights safely. However, they can also be significant sources of injuries and fatalities when proper safety protocols are not observed or the ladders being used are in poor condition. Falls from ladders are often the result of improper ladder setup, overreaching or using a ladder type that is not suited for the intended task. When workers di not follow guidelines – such as maintaining three points of contact or failing to secure the ladder against movement – they significantly increase their risk of falling and suffering from fractures, concussions or even fatalities.

ABOUT THE STANDARD

OSHA standard 1926.1053 outlines specific provisions to ensure worker safety. By adhering to these provisions, employers can create a safer work environment and significantly reduce the risk of ladder-related accidents. The provisions include:

• Ladders must be designed and constructed to meet certain safety criteria, which includes ensuring that they can support at least four times the maximum intended load. This provision helps to minimize the risk of ladder failure under heavy use. Ladders shall be capable of supporting the following loads without failure:
  • Each self-supporting portable ladder: At least four times the maximum intended load, except that each extra-heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic ladder shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load.
  • Each portable ladder that is not self-supporting: At least four times the maximum intended load, except that each extra-heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic ladders shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load.
  • Each fixed ladder: At least two loads of 250 pounds each, concentrated between any two consecutive attachments (the number and position of additional concentrated loads of 250 pounds each, determined from anticipated usage of the ladder, shall also be included), plus anticipated loads caused by ice buildup, winds, rigging, and impact loads resulting from the use of ladder safety devices. Each step or rung shall be capable of supporting a single concentrated load of at least 250 pounds applied in the middle of the step or rung.
• The standard also specifies the types of ladders that can be used, including portable, fixed, and extension ladders, along with guidelines for their safe use. Ladder rungs, cleats, and steps shall be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use.
• Employers must ensure that ladders are positioned o stable ground and secured to prevent slipping or shifting during use.
• Workers must maintain three points of contact when climbing a ladder and prohibits practices such as overreaching, which increases the risk of falls.
• The standard includes requirements for regular inspections of ladders to identify any defects or wear that could compromise safety.
• Except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders (such as those on utility towers, billboards, and other structures where the bottom of the fixed ladder is elevated to limit access), when two or more separate ladders are used to reach an elevated work area, the ladders shall be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders.

PROTECTING WORKERS WHO USE EXTENSION LADDERS

Extension ladders are commonly used to access heights in construction and other industries. Workers who use extension ladders risk permanent injury or death from falls and electrocutions. These hazards can be eliminated or substantially reduced by following good safety practices. These include:

• Planning ahead to get the job done safely
• Having a competent person must visually inspect all extension ladders before use for any defects such as: missing rungs, bolts, cleats, screws and loose components.
• Allowing sufficient room to step off the ladder safely. Keep the area around the bottom and the top of the ladder clear of equipment, materials and tools.
• Setting the ladder at the proper angle. of the ladder three feet above that surface or secure the ladder at its top. WMHS

RESOURCES

OSHA Fact Sheet: Reducing Ladder Falls in Construction: Safe Use of Extension Ladders www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3660.pdf