Fixed & Portable Ladders

From 2011 to 2016, 836 employees received fatal injuries in the workplace due to ladders.  The Department of Labor identified the primary cause of fatal falls occurring due to the object or surface that the employee fell from.

Ladders are routinely on OSHA’s list of most cited violations so ladder safety should be a priority for every employer.  The fixed and portable ladder standard guides employers on safe working practices involving ladders which we’ve highlighted below!

• [1926.1053] – Specifications, Inspection, Maintenance of Fixed and Portable Ladders
• [1926.1053(a)(18-23)] – Fixed Ladder Cages
• [1926.1053(b)(6)] – Use on Level Surfaces
• [1926.1053(b)(13)] – Denial of the Top Step
• [1926.1053(b)(20)] – Direction when climbing the ladder
• [1926.1053(b)(21)] – One hand rule

Does the Fixed and Portable Ladder standard apply to me?

Quite possibly.  Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) employers are responsible for protecting their employees from a hazardous working environment.

More from OSHA's website:

Fixed and Portable Ladder Standard (29 CFR 1926.1053) is a regulation that prescribes safeguards to protect workers against hazards related to the use of fixed and portable ladders. It guides employers on specifications, training, use, and maintenance of fixed and portable ladders.