fast facts 

Extension Ladders October 2010 

Office of Compliance 

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

www.compliance.gov 

Extension ladders, which are also known as non-self supported ladders, are probably one of the most used and misused 

pieces of access equipment. They are a versatile tool with plenty of limitations and inherent dangers. This type of 

ladder should be used for short-term light work, for no more than 30 minutes. Choosing the right ladder and knowing 

how to use it is important. Research gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that falls are one of the top four 

causes of fatal occupational injuries from 1992 through 2009. 

Purchasing the right types of ladders and maintaining them so that they comply with applicable standards is the 

responsibility of the employer. Employers are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

(OSHA) to provide training on the safe use of ladders as per OSHA 29 CFR§ 1926.1060. Safety inspections for ladders should be done on a regular basis to prevent injury. If a ladder is found to be damaged, it should be marked with a 

tag saying “Do Not Use”, and removed from service. 

Choosing the Right Ladder 

Extension ladders are made from wood, aluminum and fiberglass and come in various lengths. 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.

Height Restrictions 

Extension ladders range in length 

from 16 feet up to and exceeding 

40 feet. All non-self supported 

ladders should extend a minimum 

distance of 3 feet past the edge 

they rest against but not more than 

4 feet. As with any ladder, extension ladders should be at the 

proper height and angle for optimum safety and stability. When determining proper working height/angle, non-selfsupporting ladders should be set at a 4:1 ratio (see Figure 1) from the foot to the top support.

Each section of a multi-section ladder must overlap the adjacent section by at least 3 feet for 

ladders up to 36 feet and 4 feet for 40 feet or longer extension ladders. For example, a 24-foot extension ladder will 

consist of two sections each 12 feet long, but the maximum extended length will be 21 feet, because the sections overlap by no less than 11⁄2 feet when the ladder is at maximum extension. 

Ladder

Height

Maximum

Reach

Highest point

ladder will touch

16 feet 15 feet 9 feet max. 

20 feet 19 feet 9 to 13 feet 

24 feet 23 feet 13 to 17 feet 

28 feet 27 feet 17 to 21 feet 

32 feet 31 feet 21 to 25 feet 

36 feet 34 feet 25 to 28 feet 

40 feet 37 feet 28 to 31 feet 

Load Limits 

Even though they may all look the same, each ladder has a 

different load limit, as shown in the ladder load limit table on 

the right. Your weight and the weight of the tools or equipment being carried are factored into the load limit of the ladder. You want to make sure that the ladder you are using can 

handle the combined weight of the person and the tools or 

equipment being carried up and down the ladder, otherwise 

the ladder may become unstable and cause injury. 

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 

Ladder Load Limits

Figure 1 ‐ 4:1 Ratio
Safety Inspection 

Employees are required by OSHA to conduct safety inspections to 

assist in preventing injury, detecting corrosion, and identifying 

normal wear and tear. Inspect all extension ladders for loose rungs. 

Rungs should be sturdy, clean and not slippery from dirt or oil. Inspect the rung locks for any cracks or bends that could prevent them 

from working properly. The side rails should be strong and visibly 

free of cracks, breaks, splits and bent edges. Nails, bolts, screws and 

other fasteners should be tight. Any rope and pulley system should 

be inspected for fraying and rotting, and checked for loose pulleys 

and metal spurs that could cause rope 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 marking them “Do Not Use”, to protect coworkers and others from needless injury. 

Extension Ladder Do’s 

 Select the appropriate ladder for 

the job. 

 Inspect before 

use. 

 Make sure the 

ladder rises at 

least three feet 

above the landing 

(figure 2). 

 Secure the ladder 

near the top to 

prevent swaying 

or walking. 

 Secure the base 

by either staking 

or burying to prevent slipping. 

 Make sure that the ladder is on a secure firm base 

and that you have utilized the 4:1 ratio. 

 When climbing up or down the ladder, always face 

the ladder. 

 Maintain 3-point contact with 2 hands and a foot or 

both feet and a hand. 

 Be sure that all locks on an exten- 

 sion ladder are properly engaged. 

 Use a tool belt to keep your 

 hands free or pull materials up 

 with a line. 

 Use an extension ladder for 

 access, not as work platforms. It 

 is safer to work from scaffolding, 

 scissor lifts or boom lifts. 

 Only allow one person on the 

 ladder at a time. 

 Read and follow all labels/ 

 markings on the ladder. 

Extension Ladder Don’ts 

 Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or 

equipment is on the ladder. 

 Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, 

single or extension ladder. 

 Do not use ladders near energized electrical wire; 

maintain 10 feet 

minimum clearance 

of all electrical or 

power lines. 

 Never balance the 

ladder on other 

objects to reach 

higher jobs. 

 Never over reach to 

do your work. 

 If you are leaning to the 

right, left or backwards move 

 the ladder into a better position. 

 Do not exceed the overlap required for safety. 

 At a minimum, there should be a 3 feet overlap to 

safely maintain the load limit requirements. 

 Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder. 

 Do not place ladder feet or base on moveable 

objects or unsecured surface. 

Remember: Always keep ladder on secure footing. 

Even if you’re just a few feet off the ground, an 

awkward fall can kill you or cause serious injury. 

  Improper footing
fast stats 

OSHA Top 4 Violations 2009 – Extension Ladders 

§1926.1053 (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.

§1926.1053 (b)(4) - Using ladders for a purpose other than for which they were designed.

§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. 

Safety standards for portable ladders can be found in ANSI A14.1-2000 through 14.5-2000 and 

OSHA 29 CFR §1910.25 and §1910.26, §1926.1053. Training falls under 29 CFR §1926.1060. 

 

 

This information does not constitute advice or an official ruling of the Office of Comp liance 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 

Peter Ames Eveleth f/ 202-426-1913 

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 shall enable the employee to recognize hazards 

related to ladders and how to minimize them. A competent person shall be designated to train employees on 

the following: 

 the nature of fall hazards in the work area; 

 correct procedures for placement and care in handling ladders; 

 maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used; and 

 ladder inspection points. 

Retraining shall be provided for each employee as necessary to maintain understanding and knowledge.