• Employers must ensure all ladders used in the workplace meet OSHA safety standards
• Employees must be trained in the proper use and inspection of the ladders they use in the workplace.

Whenever possible, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses performance-based requirements in the ladder regulation at 1910.23. OSHA believes that this will allow employers to choose the equipment that best fits their needs. The ladder regulation applies to all general industry employers that use ladders, with only two exceptions: ladders used for emergency operations (e.g., firefighting or rescue operations) and ladders that are an integral part of a machine’s design.

Employers must ensure ladder rungs, steps, and cleats heights are:

• Parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when in the position to be used.
• Spaced not less 10 inches (25 cm) and not more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart. This must be measured between the centerlines of the rungs, cleats, and steps except:
  • Elevator shafts must not be less than 6 inches (15 cm) and not more than 16.5 inches (42 cm) apart measured from the along the ladder side rails; and
  • Fixed ladders and telecommunication towers must not be more than 18 inches (46 cm) apart measured from between the centerlines of the rungs and steps.

Stepstools also have requirements. A step on a stepstool must not be less than 8 inches (20 cm) and not more than 12 inches (30 cm) apart. This also must be measured from the centerlines of the step.

Employers must also ensure ladder rungs, steps, and cleats widths are a minimum of 11.5 inches (29 cm) apart for portable ladders and 16 inches (41 cm) apart for fixed ladders. The measurements for fixed ladders must be taken before a ladder safety system is installed. OSHA allows several exceptions for these minimums, including:

• The tapered rungs of an orchard ladder that are not intended to be steps,
• The rungs and steps of a manhole entry ladder (minimum width of 9 inches (23 cm)),
• The rungs and steps on rolling ladders used in telecommunication centers (minimum width of 8 inches (20 cm)), and
• Stepstools (minimum width of 10.5 inches (26.7 cm)).

Additional general ladder requirements include:

• Coatings on wood ladders may not obscure potential structural defects.
• Metal ladders must be corrosion resistant.
• All surfaces must be free of puncture or cut hazards.
• Ladders must be used only for the purpose they were designed.

Employers must:

• Ensure ladders meet OSHA specifications.
• Ensure employees follow all ladder climbing technique requirements including:
  • Facing the ladder while climbing up and down,
  • Using at least one hand to firmly grasp the ladder at all times, and
  • Not carrying objects that could cause employees to lose balance and fall.
• Train employees in ladder climbing techniques.
• Maintain ladders in a safe condition.
• Inspect ladders before the first use every shift and as necessary.
• Remove defective ladders from service.
• Upgrade all fixed ladders over 24 feet with personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems by November 18, 2036, per 1910.28(b)(9). (Note: On April 6, 2026, OSHA proposed to remove the 2036 deadline at 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(D). If finalized, the change would allow employers to upgrade their existing fixed ladders when the ladders reach the end of their service lives.)
• If installing new fixed ladders over 24 feet on or after November 19, 2018, ensure they are equipped personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems.
• Train employees in ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems.
• Train employees on the use of required personal protective equipment (e.g., harnesses, lanyards, etc.).