Subpart X-Stairways & Ladders

1926.1050-1060

Vincent J. Giblin, General President

1293 Airport Road

Beaver, WV 25813

Phone: (304) 253-8674

Fax: (304) 253-7758
E-mail: hazmat@iuoeiettc.org

This material was produced under grant number

46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views
or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
does mention of trade names, commercial
products, or organizations imply endorsement by
the U.S. Government.

Introduction
This subpart applies to all stairways and
ladders used in construction, alteration repair,
and demolition workplaces.
This section also designates when ladders and
stairways are required to be provided.

Operating Engineers National

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Stairways & Ladders

1926.1050 Definitions
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

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Stairways & Ladders

1926.1050 Definitions
Job-made ladder- a ladder that is fabricated
by employees, typically at the construction
site, and is not commercially manufactured.
Point of access- all areas used by employee
for work related passage from one area or
level to another.

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Stairways & Ladders

1926.1050 Definitions
Portable ladder- a ladder that can be readily
moved or
Riser height- the vertical distance from the
top of a tread to the top of the next higher
tread or platform/landing

Operating Engineers National

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Stairways & Ladders

1926.1050 Definitions
Stairrail system- a vertical barrier erected
along the unprotected sides and edges of a
stairway to prevent employees from falling
to lower levels.
Tread depth- the horizontal distance from
front to back of a tread.

Operating Engineers National

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Stairways & Ladders

1926.1051 General Requirements

Operating Engineers National

Hazmat Program

Stairways & Ladders

1926.1051 General
Requirements
Any place there is a break in elevation of 19
inches, a stairway, ladder, or ramp, shall be
provided.
Employers are to provide and install all
stairway and ladder fall protection systems
before employees begin working.
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1926.1052 Stairways
General requirements for stairways:
Non permanent stairways used in
construction are not to have landings less
than 30 inches in the direction of travel
and
are to extend at least 22 inches in width at
every 12 feet or less of vertical rise.
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1926.1052 Stairways
General requirements for stairways:
The angle of installation
for stairs is to be
between 30% and 50%
from horizontal.

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1926.1052 Stairways
General requirements for stairways:
Riser height and tread depth shall be
uniform within each flight of stairs with a
variation of no more than inch in any
stairway system.

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1926.1052 Stairways
General requirements for stairways:
At least one access point between levels
must be kept clear at all times.
2 or more ladders or double-cleated ladder
required at access point for area with 25 or
more employees.

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1926.1052 Stairways
Temporary Service
Unless fitted with secured temporary treads
and /or landings, foot traffic is prohibited
except during construction of any pan
stairs or skeleton metal stairs.
Treads for temporary service shall be made
of a solid material, installed the full width
and depth of the stair

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1926.1052 Stairways
Stair rails and handrails
Stairways with 4 or more risers or rising more
than 30 inches are to be equipped with:
At least one handrail
One stair rail system along
each unprotected side. This
handrail is to be at a height
between 30" and 37".

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1926.1052 Stairways
Stair rails and handrails
Handrails and the top rails of stair rail systems
shall be capable of withstanding a force of at
least 200 pounds applied within 2 inches of the
top edge, in any downward or outward
direction, at any point along the top edge.

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1926.1052 Stairways
Stair rails and handrails
Permanent handrails are to have a clearance of
3 inches between the handrail and walls,
stair rail systems,and other objects

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1926.1053 Ladders
General Requirements
Ladders shall be capable of supporting the
following loads without failure:
Self-supporting portable ladder- At least 4 times the
maximum intended load
Portable ladder- At least 4 times the maximum intended load
Fixed ladder- At least 2 loads of 250 lbs. each,concentrated
between any 2 consecutive attachments.

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1926.1053 Ladders
General Requirements
Ladder rungs, cleats, and steps shall be parallel,
level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is
in position for use.
On portable ladders, they are to be spaced not
less than 10 inches apart, nor more than 14
inches apart and on step stools 8 to 12 inches.

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1926.1053 Ladders
General Requirements
The minimum clear distance between the sides
of individual-rung/step ladders and fixed ladders
shall be 16 inches.
A clearance of 11 inches is needed for portable
ladders.

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1926.1053 Ladders
General Requirements
Rungs of portable metal ladders and fixed metal
ladders must be corrugated, dimpled, or coated to
prevent slipping.
Ladder components shall be surfaces so as to
prevent injury to an employee from punctures or
lacerations, and to prevent snagging of clothing.

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1926.1053 Ladders
General Requirements
Ladders shall not be tied of fastened together to
provide longer sections unless specifically
designed for that purpose.
The minimum perpendicular clearance between
ladder and any obstruction behind the ladder shall
be 7 inches.

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
1. Ladder rails are to extend
at least 3 feet above the
upper landing surface or
else it must be
secured at its top

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
2. Kept cleared of slippery materials
3. Not to be loaded beyond their intended
maximum load or manufacturers rated capacity

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
4. Used only for the purpose for which they were
designed
5. Fixed ladders are to be at a pitch no greater
than 90o from the horizontal.

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
6. Use only on stable
and level surfaces

7. Do not use on
slippery surfaces

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
8. Non-self-support ladders are to be
used at an angle so that the
horizontal distance form the
top support to the foot of the
ladder is about of the
working length of the ladder.

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
9. Secured where ever
there is the possibility
of displacement by
workplace activities.

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
10. Not to be moved while occupied.
11. Have nonconductive side rails.
12. Equal support on two-sided ladder rails
13. Area to be Kept clear around tops and bottoms
14. Ladders to be inspected by competent person

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1926.1053 Ladders
Proper use of Ladders
15. Use 3-point climbing:
Face the ladder.
Have at lest one hand
on the ladder at all times.
Do not carry a load that
could cause you to lose
your balance.
WRONG!
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1926.1060 Training
Requirements
The employer is to provide a training program
for each employee using ladders and stairways,
as necessary.
This is done to enable each
employee to recognize
hazards and minimize
potential accidents.
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1926.1060 Training
Requirements
Each worker is to be trained by a competent
person in these specific topics:
Nature of fall hazards
Correct procedures foe erecting, maintaining,
and disassembling the fall protection systems
Proper construction, use, placement, and care
in handling of all stairways and ladders
The maximum intended load-carrying
capabilities of ladders used
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1926.1060 Training
Requirements
Dangers and hazards that may be avoided include:
No handrails or guardrails
Uneven risers
Portable ladders not secured
Ladder not extended 3 feet above landing
Ladders within 10 feet of power lines
Fixed ladders without fall protection.
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This material was produced under grant number

46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views
or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
does mention of trade names, commercial
products, or organizations imply endorsement by
the U.S. Government.

End
This publication was made possible by
grant numbers 5 U45 ES06182-13 AND
5 U45 ES09763-13 from the National
Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS), NIH. Its contents
are solely the responsibility of the
authors and do not necessarily
represent the official views of the
NIEHS, NIH.
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