Scope and definitions for ladders

Yes—this subpart applies to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair (including painting and decorating), and demolition workplaces covered under 29 CFR part 1926. See the Scope and application in 1926.1050(a) for the full statement. Employers doing those covered construction activities must follow these ladder and stairway rules; note that ladders used on or with scaffolds have additional requirements in Subpart L—Scaffolds (1926).

No—this subpart does not apply to integral components of equipment covered by Subpart CC; Subpart CC alone sets when ladders and stairways must be provided on that equipment. See the Scope and application in 1926.1050(a) for this exception and the general 1926 part for context.

A fixed ladder is one that cannot be readily moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure; a portable ladder is one that can be readily moved or carried. See the definition of Fixed ladder and Portable ladder in 1926.1050(b).

A "through fixed ladder" means a fixed ladder that requires a person getting off at the top to step between the ladder side rails to reach the landing. This matters because the design affects clearance at the top and any required platforms or fall protection at the landing; see the Through fixed ladder definition in 1926.1050(b).

A "side-step fixed ladder" is a fixed ladder that requires a person getting off at the top to step to the side of the ladder side rails to reach the landing. Employers should recognize this difference when planning access and clearances; see the Side-step fixed ladder reference in 1926.1050(b).

A "single-cleat ladder" consists of a pair of side rails connected together by cleats, rungs, or steps, while a "double-cleat ladder" is similar but includes a center rail to allow two-way traffic simultaneously. See the single-cleat and double-cleat definitions in 1926.1050(b).

A "cleat" means a ladder crosspiece of rectangular cross section placed on edge upon which a person may step while ascending or descending a ladder. That tells you which ladder component is intended for foot placement and is important for safe stepping and spacing; see the cleat definition in 1926.1050(b).

An "individual-rung/step ladder" means ladders without a side rail or center rail support where individual steps or rungs are mounted directly to the side or wall of the structure; this definition does not apply to individual-rung/step ladders that are job-made (fabricated by employees). See the Individual-rung/step ladder and job-made ladder definitions in 1926.1050(b).

A "job-made ladder" is defined as a ladder fabricated by employees, typically at the construction site, and is not commercially manufactured (the definition excludes individual-rung/step ladders). Employers should care because job-made ladders may not meet manufacturer specifications and require careful inspection and safe design to provide equivalent safety; see the job-made ladder definition in 1926.1050(b).

A ladder stand is a mobile fixed-size self-supporting ladder consisting of a wide flat tread ladder in the form of stairs and may include handrails; a step stool (ladder type) is a self-supporting, foldable, portable ladder 32 inches or less in overall size with flat steps and without a pail shelf. The size, portability, and intended use distinguish the two; see the ladder stand and step stool definitions in 1926.1050(b).

"Maximum intended load" means the total load of all employees, equipment, tools, materials, transmitted loads, and other loads anticipated to be applied to a ladder component at any one time. Employers must consider that total when selecting or designing ladders to ensure they can safely carry the expected loads; see the maximum intended load definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Failure" is defined as load refusal, breakage, or separation of component parts; load refusal is the point where structural members lose their ability to carry loads. This definition guides inspectors to look for signs of load refusal, breakage, or separations when determining if a ladder is unsafe; see the failure definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Lower levels" means any area to which an employee could fall from a stairway or ladder (including ground, floors, roofs, ramps, runways, excavations, pits, tanks, material, water, equipment, and similar surfaces) but does not include the surface from which the fall originates. Employers must plan controls based on what surfaces workers could fall onto; see the lower levels definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Point of access" means all areas used by employees for work-related passage from one area or level to another. This matters because ladders and stairways are frequently the means of access and must be placed and designed so they safely connect points of access; see the point of access definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Unprotected sides and edges" means any side or edge of a stairway or stairway landing where there is no stairrail system or wall of specified height—specifically, where there is no stairrail system or wall 36 inches (.9 m) or more in height for stairways, and where there is no wall or guardrail system 39 inches (1 m) or more in height for landings or ladder platforms. Employers must recognize these thresholds when determining when guardrails or stairrail systems are required; see the unprotected sides and edges definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Tread depth" means the horizontal distance from front to back of a tread (excluding nosing, if any). Tread depth affects footing and slip risk when using stairs or ladder stands, so it is important for safe design and selection; see the tread depth definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Nosing" means the portion of a tread projecting beyond the face of the riser immediately below. Nosing affects where a foot lands on a stair tread and can change the effective depth of the tread; see the nosing definition in 1926.1050(b).

"Riser height" means the vertical distance from the top of a tread to the top of the next higher tread or platform/landing, or from the top of a platform/landing to the top of the next higher tread or platform/landing. This guides stair design and uniformity checks; see the riser height definition in 1926.1050(b).

A "stairrail system" is a vertical barrier erected along unprotected sides and edges of a stairway to prevent employees from falling to lower levels; the top surface of a stairrail system may also serve as a handrail. Employers can therefore use a properly designed stairrail system to provide both fall protection and a handhold; see the stairrail system definition in 1926.1050(b).

Employers should consult Subpart L—Scaffolds for additional ladder requirements when ladders are used on or with scaffolds, because 1926.1050(a) notes those additional requirements for ladders used with scaffolds. See 1926.1050(a) and the general 1926 part; for practical enforcement and configuration clarifications related to scaffolds see OSHA's Letter of Interpretation on scaffolds and fall protection at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-12-05.

Yes—stairway openings are included among areas used by employees for work-related passage and are therefore considered part of the point of access. The point of access and related open areas are described in 1926.1050(b).

A "single-rail ladder" is a portable ladder with rungs, cleats, or steps mounted on a single rail instead of the usual two rails; this design can reduce lateral stability compared with two-rail ladders, so employers should evaluate stability and safe use accordingly; see the single-rail ladder definition in 1926.1050(b).

A "through fixed ladder" requires a person getting off at the top to step between the side rails to reach the landing, whereas a "side-step fixed ladder" requires stepping to the side of the side rails to reach the landing. The definitions for both appear in 1926.1050(b).

"Equivalent" means alternative designs, materials, or methods that the employer can demonstrate will provide an equal or greater degree of safety for employees than the specified method or item. Employers may use an equivalent if they can show it provides equal or better safety; see the equivalent definition in 1926.1050(b).

Because "maximum intended load" includes all employees, equipment, tools, materials, and other expected loads on a ladder component at one time, employers must consider that total to ensure the ladder can safely support the work; see the maximum intended load definition in 1926.1050(b). Employers should also perform a hazard and equipment assessment—see OSHA's PPE hazard assessment guidance at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28 for broader employer assessment responsibilities.