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Ladder Safety: Construction Sites

20 minutesEN / ES / FR / MLCCSafety Training29 CFR 1926.1053; 29 CFR 1926.1060
Quick Answer

Ladder Safety: Construction Sites is a 20-minute online course that covers proper ladder selection, setup, use, inspection, and storage on construction jobsites as required by OSHA under 29 CFR 1926.1053. It is designed for construction workers, site supervisors, and safety managers and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Ladder misuse is one of the leading causes of construction injuries and death, and it ranks consistently among OSHA's most frequently cited violations. In FY 2025, ladder safety under 29 CFR 1926.1053 ranked third on OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited list with 2,405 violations. The industries with the highest citation rates include roofing, framing, siding, and residential construction - all trades where frequent ladder use and fast-paced schedules create conditions for shortcuts and complacency. Falls from ladders result in fractures, concussions, spinal cord injuries, and fatalities that are entirely preventable with proper training and consistent enforcement.

This course trains your team on the complete lifecycle of safe ladder use in construction - from selecting the right ladder for the job to storing it properly after the shift. Your employees will learn OSHA's regulatory requirements for ladder construction, weight capacity, setup angles, and three-point contact. The training covers extension ladders, stepladders, and job-made ladders, and includes practical guidance on ladder accessories like stabilizers, levelers, and standoff devices. Whether your crews are accessing rooftops, working on scaffolds, or climbing to elevated work platforms, this course gives them the knowledge to use ladders safely every day.

What You'll Learn

  • OSHA ladder requirements for construction under 29 CFR 1926.1053
  • Selecting the correct ladder type and duty rating for the task
  • Proper ladder setup - angles, footing, securing, and extending above landing surfaces
  • Three-point contact and safe climbing techniques
  • Pre-use inspection and identifying defective ladder components
  • Ladder accessories - stabilizers, levelers, mats, and standoff devices
  • Proper moving, transporting, and storing ladders to prevent damage

Who Needs This Training

  • Roofers, framers, and siding contractors who use ladders daily on construction sites
  • Residential construction workers accessing upper floors and roof structures
  • Painters, electricians, and HVAC technicians who use ladders for elevated work
  • Site supervisors responsible for ladder safety enforcement and jobsite inspections
  • Safety managers addressing ladder-related citations or updating ladder safety programs
  • New construction hires who need baseline ladder safety training before working at height

Regulatory Background

Ladder safety in construction is regulated under OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.1053 (part of Subpart X - Stairways and Ladders), which sets requirements for ladder construction, capacity, setup, use, inspection, and training. In FY 2025, ladder violations ranked third on OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited list with 2,405 total violations - behind only fall protection and hazard communication. The most common citations involve improper ladder selection, unsafe setup angles, failure to maintain three points of contact, and using damaged or defective ladders. Under 29 CFR 1926.1060, employers must train all employees who may use ladders on recognizing hazards and proper procedures before the employee begins work. Serious ladder violations carry penalties up to $16,550 per instance, and willful violations can reach $165,514. OSHA frequently cites ladder violations alongside fall protection violations because many ladder-related falls occur at heights above six feet where additional fall protection should have been provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently cited ladder violations include using ladders that are not properly secured or stabilized, failing to extend the ladder at least three feet above the upper landing surface, setting up ladders at incorrect angles, allowing employees to climb with objects in their hands instead of maintaining three points of contact, and using damaged or defective ladders. Roofing and framing contractors receive the highest number of ladder citations.
OSHA and ladder manufacturers specify a 75.5-degree angle from horizontal, commonly described as the 4-to-1 rule: for every four feet of height, the base of the ladder should be placed one foot from the wall or support structure. Extension ladders must extend at least three feet above the upper landing surface (per 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1)) and be secured at the top or bottom to prevent displacement.
Yes. Under 29 CFR 1926.1060, employers must train each employee who may use ladders to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways and to follow proper procedures. Training must occur before the employee begins work where ladders will be used. The standard does not specify a training format, but employers must ensure employees can demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to use ladders safely.
A ladder must be removed from service immediately if it has structural damage, corrosion, broken or missing rungs, cracked side rails, or any defect that could affect its strength or stability. Under 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(16), defective ladders must be tagged or marked as defective and withdrawn from service until repaired or destroyed. Employees should inspect ladders before each use and report any defects to their supervisor.
Ladder violations rank third on OSHA's FY 2025 Top 10 because ladder misuse is widespread across virtually every construction trade, the violations are easily observed during inspections, and the consequences of non-compliance are severe - falls from ladders cause thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths annually in construction. OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Falls also drives targeted inspections where ladder violations are frequently documented alongside fall protection citations.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, French, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person