Stairways and Ladders

Falls from ladders and stairways are among the leading causes of fatalities in construction. As a foreman, your pre-task planning decisions — ladder selection, setup angle, extension above landings, and worker training — determine whether a ladder use is safe or a citation waiting to happen. This topic covers the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.1053 (ladders) and 29 CFR 1926.1052 (stairways), including duty ratings, the 4:1 pitch rule, extension requirements, inspection criteria, and prohibited uses.