www.osha.gov

OSHA 3124-12R 2003

Stairways and Ladders

A Guide to OSHA Rules
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3124-12R

2003 

Stairways and Ladders:

A Guide to OSHA Rules

This informational booklet provides a 

general overview of a particular topic 

related to OSHA standards. It does not alter

or determine compliance responsibilities in

OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety

and Health Act of 1970. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change

over time, you should consult current OSHA

administrative interpretations and decisions

by the Occupational Safety and Health

Review Commission and the Courts for 

additional guidance on OSHA compliance

requirements.

This publication is in the public domain 

and may be reproduced, fully or partially,

without permission. Source credit is 

requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory

impaired individuals upon request.

Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter

(TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
Introduction

Working on and around stairways and ladders 

is hazardous. Stairways and ladders are major

sources of injuries and fatalities among construction

workers for example, and many of the injuries are

serious enough to require time off the job. OSHA

rules apply to all stairways and ladders used in

construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating and demolition of worksites covered by

OSHA’s construction safety and health standards.

General Requirements

These rules specify when employers must 

provide stairways and ladders. In general, the

standards require the following:

■ When there is a break in elevation of 19 inches

(48 cm) or more and no ramp, runway,

embankment or personnel hoist is available,

employers must provide a stairway or ladder

at all worker points of access.

■ When there is only one point of access

between levels, employers must keep it clear

of obstacles to permit free passage by workers. If free passage becomes restricted,

employers must provide a second point of

access and ensure that workers use it.

■ When there are more than two points of

access between levels, employers must ensure

that at least one point of access remains clear.

In addition, employers must install all stairway

and ladder fall protection systems required by 

these rules and ensure that their worksite meets 

all requirements of the stairway and ladder rules

before employees use stairways or ladders. See 29

CFR 1926.1050-1060 for the details of the standard.

Note: The standard does not apply to ladders

specifically manufactured for scaffold access and

egress, but does apply to job-made and manufactured portable ladders intended for general purpose

use. Rules for ladders used on or with scaffolds are

addressed in 29 CFR 1926.451 Subpart L. 

2 3

Contents

Introduction...3

General Requirements...3

Rules for Ladders...4

All Ladders...4

Specific Types of Ladders...6

Stepladders...6

Portable Ladders...6

Fixed Ladders...7

Cages for Fixed Ladders...9

Wells for Fixed Ladders...10

Ladder Safety Devices and Related 

Support Systems for Fixed Ladders...11

Requirements for Mounting Ladder Safety 

Devices for Fixed Ladders...11 

Defective Ladders...12

Rules for Stairways...12

Stairways Used During Construction...12

Temporary Stairs...13

Stair Rails...14

Handrails...15

Midrails...15

Training Requirements...16

Glossary...16

OSHA Assistance...17

Safety and Health Program 

Management Guidelines...18

State Programs...18

Consultation Services...19

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)...20

Strategic Partnership Program...20

Alliance Program...20

Training and Education...21

Electronic Information...22

OSHA Publications...22

Emergencies, Complaints or 

Further Assistance...23

OSHA Regional Offices...23
■ Double-cleated ladders or two or more ladders

must be provided when ladders are the only

way to enter or exit a work area where 25 or

more employees work or when a ladder serves

simultaneous two-way traffic. 

■ Ladder rungs, cleats and steps must be parallel, level and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use. 

■ Rungs, cleats and steps of portable and fixed

ladders (except as provided below) must not

be spaced less than 10 inches (25 cm) apart,

nor more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, along

the ladder’s side rails. 

■ Rungs, cleats and steps of step stools must not

be less than 8 inches (20 cm) apart, nor more

than 12 inches (31 cm) apart, between center

lines of the rungs, cleats and steps.

■ Rungs, cleats and steps at the base section of

extension trestle ladders must not be less than

8 inches (20 cm) nor more than 18 inches (46

cm) apart, between center lines of the rungs,

cleats and steps. The rung spacing on the

extension section must not be less than 6 inches (15 cm) nor more than 12 inches (31 cm). 

■ Ladders must not be tied or fastened together

to create longer sections unless they are

specifically designed for such use.

■ When splicing side rails, the resulting side rail

must be equivalent in strength to a one-piece

side rail made of the same material.

■ Two or more separate ladders used to reach an

elevated work area must be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders, except

when portable ladders are used to gain access

to fixed ladders. 

■ Ladder components must be surfaced to 

prevent snagging of clothing and injury from

punctures or lacerations. 

Rules for Ladders

All Ladders

The following rules apply to all ladders:

■ Maintain ladders free of oil, grease and other

slipping hazards.

■ Do not load ladders beyond their maximum

intended load nor beyond their manufacturer’s

rated capacity.

■ Use ladders only for their designed purpose.

■ Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces

unless secured to prevent accidental movement.

■ Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless

secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to

prevent accidental movement. Do not use slipresistant feet as a substitute for exercising care

when placing, lashing or holding a ladder

upon slippery surfaces.

■ Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways or driveways, or where

they can be displaced by workplace activities

or traffic to prevent accidental movement. Or

use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away

from the ladder.

■ Keep areas clear around the top and bottom 

of ladders. 

■ Do not move, shift or extend ladders while 

in use.

■ Use ladders equipped with nonconductive side

rails if the worker or the ladder could contact

exposed energized electrical equipment.

■ Face the ladder when moving up or down.

■ Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder

when climbing.

■ Do not carry objects or loads that could cause

loss of balance and falling.

In addition, the following general requirements

apply to all ladders, including ladders built at the

jobsite: 

4 5
In addition, the rungs and steps of portable

metal ladders must be corrugated, knurled, 

dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material or

treated to minimize slipping.

Non-self-supporting and self-supporting

portable ladders must support at least four times

the maximum intended load; extra heavy-duty

type 1A metal or plastic ladders must sustain 3.3

times the maximum intended load. To determine

whether a self-supporting ladder can sustain a

certain load, apply the load to the ladder in a

downward vertical direction with the ladder

placed at a horizontal angle of 75.5 degrees.

When portable ladders are used for access to

an upper landing surface, the side rails must

extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper 

landing surface. When such an extension is not

possible, the ladder must be secured and a 

grasping device such as a grab rail must be 

provided to assist workers in mounting and 

dismounting the ladder. A ladder extension must

not deflect under a load that would cause the 

ladder to slip off its supports.

Fixed Ladders

If the total length of the climb on a fixed 

ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet (7.3 m), the ladder must be equipped with ladder safety devices;

or self-retracting lifelines and rest platforms at

intervals not to exceed 150 feet (45.7 m); or a 

cage or well and multiple ladder sections with 

each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet (15.2 m)

in length. These ladder sections must be offset

from adjacent sections and landing platforms

must be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet

(15.2 m). In addition, fixed ladders must meet the

following requirements:

■ Fixed ladders must be able to support at least

two loads of 250 pounds (114 kg) each, 

concentrated between any two consecutive

attachments. Fixed ladders also must support

added anticipated loads caused by ice buildup,

■ Wood ladders must not be coated with any

opaque covering except for identification or

warning labels, which may be placed only on

one face of a side rail.

Note: A competent person must inspect 

ladders for visible defects periodically and after

any incident that could affect their safe use.

Specific Types of Ladders

■ Do not use single-rail ladders.

■ Use non-self-supporting ladders at an angle

where the horizontal distance from the top

support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of

the ladder. 

■ Use wooden ladders built at the jobsite with

spliced side rails at an angle where the horizontal distance is one-eighth of the working

length of the ladder.

In addition, the top of a non-self-supporting

ladder must be placed with two rails supported

equally unless it is equipped with a single support

attachment.

Stepladders

■ Do not use the top or top step of a stepladder

as a step.

■ Do not use cross bracing on the rear section of

stepladders for climbing unless the ladders are

designed and provided with steps for climbing

on both front and rear sections.

■ Metal spreader or locking devices must be provided on stepladders to hold the front and back

sections in an open position when ladders are

being used.

Portable Ladders

The minimum clear distance between side rails

for all portable ladders must be 11.5 inches (29 cm). 

6 7
edge of a landing area must be no less than 

7 inches (18 cm) and no more than 12 inches

(30 cm). A landing platform must be provided

if the step-across distance exceeds 12 inches

(30 cm).

■ Fixed ladders without cages or wells must

have at least a 15-inch (38 cm) clearance width

to the nearest permanent object on each side

of the centerline of the ladder.

■ Fixed ladders must be provided with cages,

wells, ladder safety devices or self-retracting

lifelines where the length of climb is less than

24 feet (7.3 m) but the top of the ladder is at a

distance greater than 24 feet (7.3 m) above

lower levels.

■ Side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders

must extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top

level or landing platform served by the ladder.

Parapet ladders must have an access level at

the roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage

through it. If the parapet is continuous, the

access level is the top of the parapet.

■ Steps or rungs for through-fixed-ladder extensions must be omitted from the extension; and

the extension of side rails must be flared to

provide between 24 inches (61 cm) and 30

inches (76 cm) clearance between side rails.

■ When safety devices are provided, the maximum clearance distance between side rail

extensions must not exceed 36 inches (91 cm).

■ Fixed ladders must be used at a pitch no

greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal,

measured from the back side of the ladder.

Cages for Fixed Ladders

The requirements for cages for fixed ladders 

are as follows:

■ Horizontal bands must be fastened to the side rails

of rail ladders or directly to the structure, building

or equipment for individual-rung ladders.

winds, rigging and impact loads resulting from

using ladder safety devices.

■ Individual rung/step ladders must extend at

least 42 inches (1.1 m) above an access level or

landing platform either by the continuation of

the rung spacings as horizontal grab bars or by

providing vertical grab bars that must have the

same lateral spacing as the vertical legs of the

ladder rails.

■ Each step or rung of a fixed ladder must be

able to support a load of at least 250 pounds

(114 kg) applied in the middle of the step or

rung.

■ Minimum clear distance between the sides of

individual rung/step ladders and between the

side rails of other fixed ladders must be 

16 inches (41 cm).

■ Rungs of individual rung/step ladders must be

shaped to prevent slipping off the end of the

rungs.

■ Rungs and steps of fixed metal ladders 

manufactured after March 15, 1991, must be

corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with 

skid-resistant material or treated to minimize

slipping.

■ Minimum perpendicular clearance between

fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps and any

obstruction behind the ladder must be 7 inches

(18 cm), except that the clearance for an elevator pit ladder must be 4.5 inches (11 cm).

■ Minimum perpendicular clearance between 

the centerline of fixed ladder rungs, cleats and

steps, and any obstruction on the climbing

side of the ladder must be 30 inches (76 cm). If

obstructions are unavoidable, clearance may

be reduced to 24 inches (61 cm), provided a

deflection device is installed to guide workers

around the obstruction.

■ Step-across distance between the center of the

steps or rungs of fixed ladders and the nearest

8 9
Ladder Safety Devices and Related Support

Systems for Fixed Ladders

The connection between the carrier or lifeline 

and the point of attachment to the body belt or

harness must not exceed 9 inches (23 cm) in

length. In addition, ladder safety devices and

related support systems on fixed ladders must

conform to the following:

■ All safety devices must be able to withstand,

without failure, a drop test consisting of a 

500-pound weight (226 kg) dropping 18 inches

(41 cm).

■ All safety devices must permit the worker to

ascend or descend without continually having

to hold, push or pull any part of the device,

leaving both hands free for climbing.

■ All safety devices must be activated within 

2 feet (.61 m) after a fall occurs and limit the

descending velocity of an employee to 

7 feet/second (2.1 m/sec) or less.

Requirements for Mounting Ladder 

Safety Devices for Fixed Ladders 

The requirements for mounting ladder safety

devices for fixed ladders are as follows:

■ Mountings for rigid carriers must be attached

at each end of the carrier, with intermediate

mountings spaced along the entire length of

the carrier, to provide the necessary strength to

stop workers’ falls.

■ Mountings for flexible carriers must be

attached at each end of the carrier. Cable

guides for flexible carriers must be installed

with a spacing between 25 feet (7.6 m) and 40

feet (12.2 m) along the entire length of the carrier, to prevent wind damage to the system.

■ Design and installation of mountings and 

cable guides must not reduce the strength of

the ladder.

■ Side rails and steps or rungs for side-step fixed

ladders must be continuous in extension.

■ Vertical bars must be on the inside of the horizontal bands and must be fastened to them.

■ Cages must not extend less than 27 inches 

(68 cm), or more than 30 inches (76 cm) from

the centerline of the step or rung and must not

be less than 27 inches (68 cm) wide.

■ Insides of cages must be clear of projections.

■ Horizontal bands must be spaced at intervals

not more than 4 feet (1.2 m) apart measured

from centerline to centerline.

■ Vertical bars must be spaced at intervals not

more than 9.5 inches (24 cm), measured 

centerline to centerline.

■ Bottoms of cages must be between 7 feet 

(2.1 m) and 8 feet (2.4 m) above the point of

access to the bottom of the ladder. The bottom

of the cage must be flared not less than 4 inches (10 cm) between the bottom horizontal band

and the next higher band.

■ Tops of cages must be a minimum of 42 inches

(1.1 m) above the top of the platform or the

point of access at the top of the ladder. There

must be a way to access the platform or other

point of access.

Wells for Fixed Ladders

The requirements for wells for fixed ladders 

are as follows:

■ Wells must completely encircle the ladder.

■ Wells must be free of projections.

■ Inside faces of wells on the climbing side of

the ladder must extend between 27 inches 

(68 cm) and 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung.

■ Inside widths of wells must be at least 30 inches (76 cm).

■ Bottoms of wells above the point of access to

the bottom of the ladder must be between 7

feet (2.1 m) and 8 feet (2.4 m).

10 11
■ Stairways must be installed at least 30 degrees

—and no more than 50 degrees—from the 

horizontal.

■ Variations in riser height or stair tread depth

must not exceed 1/4 inch in any stairway 

system, including any foundation structure

used as one or more treads of the stairs.

■ Doors and gates opening directly onto a stairway must have a platform that extends at least

20 inches (51 cm) beyond the swing of the

door or gate.

■ Metal pan landings and metal pan treads must

be secured in place before filling.

■ Stairway parts must be free of dangerous 

projections such as protruding nails.

■ Slippery conditions on stairways must be 

corrected.

■ Workers must not use spiral stairways that will

not be a permanent part of the structure. 

Temporary Stairs

The following requirements apply to stairways

used temporarily during construction.

Except during construction of the stairway,

■ Do not use stairways with metal pan landings

and treads if the treads and/or landings have

not been filled in with concrete or other 

materials unless the pans of the stairs and/or

landings are temporarily filled in with wood or

other materials. All treads and landings must

be replaced when worn below the top edge of

the pan.

■ Do not use skeleton metal frame structures

and steps (where treads and/or landings will

be installed later) unless the stairs are fitted

with secured temporary treads and landings.

Note: Temporary treads must be made of

wood or other solid material and installed the full

width and depth of the stair.

Defective Ladders

Ladders needing repairs are subject to the 

following rules:

■ Portable ladders with structural defects—such

as broken or missing rungs, cleats or steps,

broken or split rails, corroded components or

other faulty or defective components—must

immediately be marked defective or tagged

with "Do Not Use" or similar language and

withdrawn from service until repaired.

■ Fixed ladders with structural defects—such 

as broken or missing rungs, cleats or steps,

broken or split rails or corroded components—

must be withdrawn from service until repaired.

■ Defective fixed ladders are considered withdrawn from use when they are immediately

tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language,

or marked in a manner that identifies them as

defective, or blocked—such as with a plywood

attachment that spans several rungs.

■ Ladder repairs must restore the ladder to a

condition meeting its original design criteria

before the ladder is returned to use.

Rules for Stairways

The rules covering stairways and their 

components generally depend on how and when

stairs are used. Specifically, there are rules for

stairs used during construction and stairs used

temporarily during construction, as well as rules

governing stair rails and handrails.

Stairways Used During Construction

The following requirements apply to all stairways

used during construction:

■ Stairways that will not be a permanent part 

of the building under construction must have

landings at least 30 inches deep and 22 inches

wide (76 x 56 cm) at every 12 feet (3.7 m) or

less of vertical rise.

12 13
■ Screens or mesh, when used, must extend

from the top rail to the stairway step and along

the opening between top rail supports.

Handrails

Requirements for handrails are as follows:

■ Handrails and top rails of the stair rail systems

must be able to withstand, without failure, at

least 200 pounds (890 n) of weight applied

within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any

downward or outward direction, at any point

along the top edge. 

■ Handrails must not be more than 37 inches 

(94 cm) high nor less than 30 inches (76 cm)

from the upper surface of the handrail to the

surface of the tread.

■ Handrails must provide an adequate handhold

for employees to grasp to prevent falls.

■ Temporary handrails must have a minimum

clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the

handrail and walls, stair rail systems and 

other objects.

■ Stairways with four or more risers, or that 

rise more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height—

whichever is less—must have at least one

handrail.

■ Winding or spiral stairways must have a

handrail to prevent use of areas where the

tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm).

Midrails

Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical

members or equivalent intermediate structural

members must be provided between the top rail

and stairway steps to the stair rail system. When

midrails are used, they must be located midway

between the top of the stair rail system and the

stairway steps.

Stair Rails

The following general requirements apply to all

stair rails: 

■ Stairways with four or more risers or rising

more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height—

whichever is less—must be installed along

each unprotected side or edge. When the top

edge of a stair rail system also serves as a

handrail, the height of the top edge must be 

no more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than

36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of

the stair rail to the surface of the tread.

■ Stair rails installed after March 15,1991, must

be not less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) in height.

■ Top edges of stair rail systems used as

handrails must not be more than 37 inches 

(94 cm) high nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm)

from the upper surface of the stair rail system

to the surface of the tread. (If installed before

March 15, 1991, not less than 30 inches 

[76 cm]).

■ Stair rail systems and handrails must be 

surfaced to prevent injuries such as punctures

or lacerations and to keep clothing from 

snagging.

■ Ends of stair rail systems and handrails must

be built to prevent dangerous projections, such

as rails protruding beyond the end posts of the

system.

In addition, 

■ Unprotected sides and edges of stairway 

landings must have standard 42-inch (1.1 m)

guardrail systems.

■ Intermediate vertical members, such as 

balusters used as guardrails, must not be more

than 19 inches (48 cm) apart.

■ Other intermediate structural members, when

used, must be installed so that no openings

are more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide.

14 15
point of access — All areas used by employees

for work-related passage from one area or level 

to another. 

portable ladder — A ladder that can be readily

moved or carried. 

riser height — The vertical distance from the top

of a tread or platform/landing to the top of the

next higher tread or platform/landing. 

side-step fixed ladder — A fixed ladder that

requires a person to get off at the top to step to the

side of the ladder side rails to reach the landing. 

single-cleat ladder — A ladder consisting of a pair

of side rails connected together by cleats, rungs

or steps. 

stair rail system — A vertical barrier erected along

the unprotected sides and edges of a stairway to

prevent employees from falling to lower levels. 

temporary service stairway — A stairway where

permanent treads and/or landings are to be filled

in at a later date. 

through fixed ladder — A fixed ladder that

requires a person getting off at the top to step

between the side rails of the ladder to reach the

landing. 

tread depth — The horizontal distance from front

to back of a tread, excluding nosing, if any. 

OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a

variety of programs, including technical assistance

about effective safety and health programs, state

plans, workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic partnerships, and training

and education, and more. An overall commitment

to workplace safety and health can add value to

your business, to your workplace, and to your life.

Training Requirements 

Employers must train all employees to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, and

instruct them to minimize these hazards. For

example, employers must ensure that each

employee is trained by a competent person in the

following areas, as applicable:

■ Nature of fall hazards in the work area;

■ Correct procedures for erecting, maintaining

and disassembling the fall protection systems

to be used;

■ Proper construction, use, placement and care

in handling of all stairways and ladders; and 

■ Maximum intended load-carrying capacities of

ladders used. 

Note: Employers must retrain each employee

as necessary to maintain their understanding and

knowledge on the safe use and construction of

ladders and stairs.

Glossary

cleat — A ladder crosspiece of rectangular cross

section placed on edge upon which a person may

step while ascending or descending a ladder. 

double-cleat ladder — A ladder with a center rail

to allow simultaneous two-way traffic for employees ascending or descending. 

failure — Load refusal, breakage or separation 

of components. 

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. 

job-made ladder — A ladder that is fabricated by

employees, typically at the construction site; noncommercially manufactured. 

load refusal — The point where the structural

members lose their ability to carry the load. 

16 17
with their own OSHA-approved occupational 

safety and health plans must adopt standards

identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal

standards. 

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to

employers who want help in establishing and

maintaining a safe and healthful workplace.

Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided

at no cost to the employer. Primarily developed

for smaller employers with more hazardous 

operations, the consultation service is delivered

by state governments employing professional

safety and health consultants. Comprehensive

assistance includes an appraisal of all mechanical

systems, work practices, and occupational safety

and health hazards of the workplace and all

aspects of the employer’s present job safety and

health program. In addition, the service offers

assistance to employers in developing and 

implementing an effective safety and health 

program. No penalties are proposed or citations

issued for hazards identified by the consultant.

OSHA provides consultation assistance to the

employer with the assurance that his or her name

and firm and any information about the workplace

will not be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement staff.

Under the consultation program, certain 

exemplary employers may request participation 

in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement

Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for 

participation in SHARP includes receiving a 

comprehensive consultation visit, demonstrating

exemplary achievements in workplace safety and

health by abating all identified hazards, and developing an excellent safety and health program.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive

an exemption from programmed inspections (not

complaint or accident investigation inspections)

for a period of 1 year. 

Safety and Health Program 

Management Guidelines

Effective management of worker safety and health

protection is a decisive factor in reducing the

extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective

safety and health program forms the basis of

good worker protection and can save time and

money—about $4 for every dollar spent—and

increase productivity and reduce worker injuries,

illnesses and related workers’ compensation costs.

To assist employers and employees in developing effective safety and health programs, OSHA

published recommended Safety and Health

Program Management Guidelines (Federal

Register 54 (16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989).

These voluntary guidelines can be applied to all

places of employment covered by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements

critical to the development of a successful safety

and health management system:

■ Management leadership and employee

involvement,

■ Workaday analysis,

■ Hazard prevention and control, and

■ Safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions,

under each of these general elements, to achieve

an effective safety and health program. The

Federal Register notice is available online at

www.osha.gov.

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

(OSH Act) encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans. OSHA

approves and monitors these plans. There are currently 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and

public (state and local government) employment;

3 states, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York,

cover the public sector only. States and territories

18 19
OSHA to prevent injuries and illnesses in the

workplace. OSHA and its allies work together to

reach out to, educate, and lead the nation’s

employers and their employees in improving and

advancing workplace safety and health. 

Alliances are open to all, including trade or

professional organizations, businesses, labor

organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies. In some cases, organizations

may be building on existing relationships with

OSHA through other cooperative programs. 

There are few formal program requirements

for alliances, which are less structured than other

cooperative agreements, and the agreements do

not include an enforcement component. However,

OSHA and the participating organizations must

define, implement, and meet a set of short- and

long-term goals that fall into three categories:

training and education; outreach and communication; and promotion of the national dialogue on

workplace safety and health. 

Training and Education

OSHA’s area offices offer a variety of information

services, such as compliance assistance, 

technical advice, publications, audiovisual aids

and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s

Training Institute in Arlington Heights, Ill., provides

basic and advanced courses in safety and health

for federal and state compliance officers, state 

consultants, federal agency personnel, and 

private sector employers, employees, and their

representatives.

The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training Institute Education Centers

to address the increased demand for its courses

from the private sector and from other federal

agencies. These centers are nonprofit colleges,

universities, and other organizations that have

been selected after a competition for participation

in the program.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs and onsite consultation services, when coupled with an effective

enforcement program, expand worker protection

to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The three

VPP—Star, Merit, and Demonstration—are

designed to recognize outstanding achievements

by companies that have successfully incorporated

comprehensive safety and health programs into

their total management system. The VPP motivate

others to achieve excellent safety and health

results in the same outstanding way as they

establish a cooperative relationship between

employers, employees, and OSHA.

For additional information on VPP and how to

apply, contact the OSHA regional offices listed at

the end of this publication.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest

member of OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps

encourage, assist, and recognize the efforts of

partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards

and achieve a high level of worker safety and

health. Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program

and VPP entail one-on-one relationships between

OSHA and individual work sites, most strategic

partnerships seek to have a broader impact by

building cooperative relationships with groups of

employers and employees. These partnerships

are voluntary, cooperative relationships between

OSHA, employers, employee representatives, and

others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional

associations, universities, and other government

agencies). 

For more information on this and other cooperative programs, contact your nearest OSHA

office, or visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

Alliance Program

Alliances enable organizations committed to

workplace safety and health to collaborate with

20 21
website at www.osha.gov or contact the 

OSHA Publications Office 

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101 

Washington, DC 20210 

Telephone (202) 693-1888 or 

fax to (202) 693-2498. 

Emergencies, Complaints 

or Further Assistance

To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek

OSHA advice, assistance or products, call (800)

321-OSHA or contact your nearest OSHA regional

or area office listed at the end of this publication.

The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

You can also file a complaint online and obtain

more information on OSHA federal and state 

programs by visiting OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov.

OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*) 

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through grants, to conduct workplace

training and education in subjects where OSHA

believes there is a lack of workplace training.

Grants are awarded annually. Grant recipients are

expected to contribute 20 percent of the total

grant cost.

For more information on grants, training and

education, contact the OSHA Training Institute,

Office of Training and Education, 2020 South

Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL

60005, (847) 297-4810, or see Outreach on OSHA’s

website at www.osha.gov.

For further information on any OSHA program,

contact your nearest OSHA area or regional office

listed at the end of this publication.

Electronic Information

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website www.osha.gov. These include

e-Tools such as Expert Advisors, Electronic

Compliance Assistance Tools (e-cats), Technical

Links; regulations, directives and publications;

videos and other information for employers and

employees. OSHA’s software programs and 

compliance assistance tools walk you through

challenging safety and health issues and common

problems to find the best solutions for your 

workplace.

OSHA’s CD-ROM includes standards, 

interpretations, directives, and more and can 

be purchased on CD-ROM from the U.S.

Government Printing Office. To order, write to the 

Superintendent of Documents 

P.O. Box 371954 

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 

or phone (202) 512-1800, 

or order online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program. 

For a listing of free or sales items, visit OSHA’s

22 23
Region IV 

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 767-4731 or 4736 x224

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

City Center Square

1100 Main Street, Suite 800

Kansas City, MO 64105

(816) 426-5861

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

P.O. Box 46550

Denver, CO 80201-6550

(303) 844-1600

24

Region IX 

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI, NV,* Northern

Mariana Islands)

71 Stevenson Street, Room 420

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 975-4310

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930

*These states and territories operate their own 

OSHA-approved job safety and health programs

(Connecticut, New Jersey and New York plans 

cover public employees only). States with approved

programs must have a standard that is identical to, or

at least as effective as, the federal standard.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices,

OSHA-approved State Plans and OSHA consultation

projects, please visit us online at www.osha.gov or call

us at (800) 321-OSHA (6742).

25
www.osha.gov