fast facts 

Stepladders September 2010 

Office of Compliance 

advancing safety, health, and workplace rights in the legislative branch 

www.compliance.gov 

A stepladder is a very handy, simple tool to use, but if you do not choose the right one for the 

job or if it is not properly maintained, then you have an increased risk of an injury. According 

to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), falls are one of the top five causes of fatal occupational 

injuries. 

Duty of Employers 

• Purchase and maintain stepladders that comply with applicable standards. 

◊ ANSI-ASC A14.2-2007 through A14.5-2007 

◊ Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR§ 1910.25(d), .26(c) and 1926.1053 

• Provide training to all employees who use ladders. 

• Ensure that protective measures are followed. 

• Train the user on how to conduct an inspection of the step ladder. It is recommended in 

American National Standards Institute (ANSI A14.series – Standards on Ladders) to inspect 

before and after each use to prevent injuries. 

• If damage is found, tag and remove from service stating “Do Not Use”.

Choosing the Right Ladder 

Stepladders are made in a wide variety of materials: metal/aluminum, wood and fiberglass. 

Choosing the right ladder for the job is very important. Because wood and metal are great conductors of electricity, it would be best to use a fiberglass ladder if you are doing electrical work.

Load Limits 

Even though they may all 

look the same, each ladder 

has a different load limit. 

You want to make sure 

that the ladder you are 

using is designed to carry 

your weight and the weight 

of the equipment being 

carried up and down the ladder. Otherwise, the ladder may become unstable and cause injury. 

CAUTION: When working at heights greater than 20’, it is recommended that a ladder other 

than a stepladder is used. 

Ladder Type Load Limit Description

Type 1-AA 375 lbs. Special Duty

Type 1-A 300 lbs. Heavy Duty Industrial

Type I 250 lbs. Heavy Duty

Type II 225 lbs. Medium Duty

Type III 200 lbs. Light Duty
 Safety Inspection 

Stepladders are sturdy and durable but have several parts that are subject to corrosion and normal wear and tear from everyday use. Hinges can be damaged 

by a shift in weight or by folding them incorrectly when the job is complete. It 

is a good idea, and a requirement by OSHA, to inspect ladders for any type of 

damage that might cause them to be unserviceable. 

Inspect all ladders for loose steps. Steps also need to 

 be sturdy, clean and not slippery from dirt or oil. 

 Don’t forget to check for cracks, splits, or rotting. 

 The legs should be strong and visibly free of cracks, 

 splits and bent edges. Nails, bolts, screws and other 

 fasteners should be tight. Never paint any part of a 

 wooden stepladder, as this could hide cracks or other 

 damage. Last but not least, examine the feet and 

 make sure the non-slip pads are in good shape. 

 

Remember: Turn broken ladders in for repair or take them completely out of service by marking them 

with a tag saying “ Do Not Use”, to prevent employees and co-workers from using them. 

Safe Ladder Use 

Now that you have chosen the right ladder for the job and completed a visual inspection, here are 

some useful tips. As stated, every year there are countless fatalities and injuries due to lack of knowledge on how to properly use a stepladder. No matter what type or height of stepladder used, follow 

the important safety tips listed below. 

Step Ladder Do’s 

• Always lock the spreader arms in the fully open 

position. 

• Face the ladder and maintain 3-point contact with 2 

hands and a foot, or 2 feet and a hand when climbing up or down a step ladder. 

• Use a tool belt to 

 keep your hands 

 free or pull materi- 

 als up with a line. 

• Whenever 

 possible, use 

 stepladders for 

 access, not as 

 work platforms. 

• It is generally 

safer 

 to work from scaf- 

 folding, a scissor 

 lift or boom lift. 

 Select the appro- 

 priate stepladder 

Step Ladder Don’ts 

• Do not use a damaged or 

 defective stepladder. 

 

• Don’t use an unopened 

 stepladder as a straight 

 ladder. 

• Never balance a ladder on 

 other objects to reach 

 higher jobs. 

 

• Don’t stand higher than the 

 second step from the top. 

 

• Never straddle space 

 between a stepladder and 

 another point. 

 

• Never overstretch to do 

 your work; if you are lean- 

 ing to the right, left or back- 

 wards, move the ladder into 

 a better position.

Never stand on top step of

the ladder

Do not balance ladder on

other objects

Never stand on the top

step of an unopened step

ladder
fast stats 

Top 5 OSHA Violations for Stepladders 

29 CFR§ 1926.1053 - This standard covers general requirements for all ladders. 

§1910.1053 (b) (1) - Failure to extend a portable ladder at least 3 feet above the upper 

 landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access.

§1910.1053 (b) (4) - Using ladders for a purpose other than for which they were designed. 

§1926.1053 (b) (13) - Using the top of a stepladder as a step.

§1926.1053 (b) (16) - Failure to mark portable ladders with structural defects as such 

 or withdraw them from service until repaired. 

§1926.1053 (b) (22) - Employee carrying an object or load that could cause him 

 or her to lose balance and fall.

 

This information does not constitute advice or an offi cial ruling of the Office of Compliance or the Board 

of Directors and is intended for educational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the 

Congressional Accountability Act (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) and the regulations issued by the Board, or you 

may contact the Office of Compliance.

The Office of Compliance advances safety, 

health, and workplace rights in the U.S. 

Congress and the Legislative Branch. Established as an independent agency by the 

Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, 

the Office educates employees and employing offices about their rights and responsibilities under the Act, provides an impartial 

dispute resolution process, and investigates 

and remedies violations of the Act. 

If you have any questions, please contact the 

Office of Compliance: 

Room LA 200, John Adams Building 

110 Second Street, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20540 

t/ 202-724-9250 

tdd/ 202-426-1912 

f/ 202-426-1913 

Peter Ames Eveleth 

General Counsel 

Mary-Margaret Smith 

Editor Download the entire Fast Facts suite at http://www.compliance.gov 

Training Requirements 

OSHA requires employers to provide training. The program must enable the employee to recognize 

hazards related to ladders and how to eliminate them. A competent person should be designated to 

train employees on the nature of fall hazards in the work area, including correct procedures for placement, care in handling ladders, and maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders. Employees will need retraining to maintain understanding and knowledge.