Ladders and stairways for construction activities

Scope

The OSHA rules apply to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating and demolition of worksites covered by OSHA’s construction safety and health standards.

Regulatory citations

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X — Stairways and ladders.

Key definitions

• Cleat: A ladder crosspiece of rectangular cross section placed on edge upon which a person may step while ascending or descending a ladder.
• Double-cleat ladder: A ladder with a center rail to allow simultaneous two-way traffic for employees ascending or descending.
• Failure: Load refusal, breakage, or separation of components.
• Fixed ladder: A ladder that cannot be readily moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure.
• Handrail: A rail used to provide employees with a handhold for support.
• Job-made ladder: A ladder that is fabricated by employees, typically at the construction site; noncommercially manufactured.
• Load refusal: The point where the structural members lose their ability to carry the load.
• Point of access: All areas used by employees for work-related passage from one area or level to another.
• Portable ladder: A ladder that can be readily moved or carried.
• Riser height: The vertical distance from the top of a tread or platform/landing to the top of the next higher tread or platform/landing.
• Side-step fixed ladder: A fixed ladder that requires a person getting off at the top to step to side of ladder side rails to reach landing.
• Single-cleat ladder: A ladder consisting of a pair of side rails connected together by cleats, rungs, or steps.
• Stair rail system: A vertical barrier erected along the unprotected sides and edges of a stairway to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
• Temporary service stairway: A stairway where permanent treads and/or landings are to be filled in at a later date.
• Through fixed ladder: A fixed ladder that requires a person getting off at the top to step between the side rails of the ladder to reach the landing.
• Tread depth: The horizontal distance from front to back of a tread, excluding any nosing.

Summary of requirements

In general, covered employers must:

• Provide a stairway or ladder at all worker points of access, when there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more and no ramp, runway, embankment or personnel hoist is available.
• When there is only one point of access between levels, employers must keep it clear of obstacles to permit free passage by workers. If free passage becomes restricted, provide a second point of access and ensure that workers use it.
• When there are more than two points of access between levels, ensure that at least one point of access remains clear.
• Install all stairway and ladder fall protection systems required by the OSHA rules and ensure that their jobsite meets all requirements of the stairway and ladder rules before employees use the equipment.

The standard does not apply to ladders specifically manufactured for scaffold access and egress, but does apply to job-made and manufactured portable ladders intended for general purpose use. Rules for ladders used on or with scaffolds are addressed in 1926.451 Subpart L — Scaffolds.