HomeKnowledgeOSHA 1926.1050 — Stairways and Ladders
⛑️ Safetyconstruction

OSHA 1926.1050 — Stairways and Ladders

Updated Apr 3, 2026
Stairways and ladders must be properly constructed, maintained, and used safely

All stairways must have treads, risers, stringers, and handrails. Stair treads must be no less than 10 inches deep and risers must be no more than 7.5 inches high. Stringers must be protected from damage and must provide adequate support. Handrails must be installed on at least one side of stairways with 4 or more risers and must be graspable with a diameter between 0.9 and 1.5 inches. Top and bottom handrail extensions provide safety when mounting or dismounting stairs. Stairways must be at least 22 inches wide. Stairways used during construction must be kept clean and dry to prevent slipping. All ladders used in construction must be non-conductive or have non-conductive side rails when working near electrical lines. Ladders must have a minimum capacity of 250 pounds and must be maintained in good condition. Rungs must not be split, cracked, or broken and must have secure foot at the base to prevent slipping. Ladders must be positioned at a 4 to 1 angle, meaning 4 feet of height for every 1 foot of horizontal distance. Ladders must extend 3 feet above the landing surface or must be secured at the top to prevent tipping. Ladders must not be used for any purpose other than accessing heights. Employees must maintain three points of contact when climbing and must face the ladder while climbing. Tool belts must be used to keep hands free when climbing.

TAGS
oshaladdersstairways1926
DETAILS
subpart
X
applicability
All construction sites
osha standard
29 CFR 1926.1050
citation frequency
Very Common
RELATED KNOWLEDGE
⛑️ Safety
OSHA 1926.501 — Fall Protection Duty to Have Fall Protection
Each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by guardrail, safety net, or personal fall arrest system.
⛑️ Safety
OSHA 1926.651 — Excavation General Requirements
Excavations deeper than 5 feet require protective systems (sloping, shoring, or shielding) unless excavation is made entirely in stable rock. All excavations 20 feet or deeper require engineering design.
📋 Code
IBC Section 1107 — Accessible Unit and Dwelling Unit Elements
Requires accessible common use elements within individual residential units.
⛑️ Safety
OSHA 1926.1200-1213 — Confined Space Entry in Construction
Permit-required confined space entry requires atmosphere testing, ventilation, trained attendant, rescue plan, and written permit. Applies to manholes, tanks, vaults, pits, and excavations over 4 feet deep.
⛑️ Safety
OSHA 1926.1053 — Ladders
Requirements for portable and fixed ladders. Extend 3 feet above landing. 4:1 pitch ratio for portable. Load capacity rated. Inspect before each use. #3 cause of fall injuries in construction.
⛑️ Safety
OSHA 1926.451 — Scaffolding General Requirements
Scaffolds must support 4x intended load without failure. Guardrails required at 10 feet. Competent person must supervise erection. Workers must be trained. #2 most-cited OSHA standard in construction.
← Back to Knowledge Garden