Ladders

Overview

Ladders are essential tools, yet more workers are injured in falls from ladders than from any other elevated surface – roofs, scaffolds, balconies, even stairs. Most falls happen because workers select the wrong type of ladder for their job or they set up the ladder improperly and the ladder shifts or slips unexpectedly.

Publications

Apps-mobile/online
- Portable ladders app - how to select and use a portable ladder
  English
Brochures/Guides
- Escaleras portátiles: Como usarlas sin sufrir caídas
  Portable ladders: How to use them so they won't let you down
  Describe las prácticas de seguridad en el uso de escaleras portátiles.
  Spanish Order printed copy 08/01/2019
- Portable ladders: How to use them so they won't let you down
  Describes safe work practices for using portable ladders.
  English Order printed copy 01/17/2018
Checklists
- Ladders: portable
  Checklist for ladders - portable.
  English
Fact sheets
- Walking-working surfaces: At a glance
  Provides an overview of walking-working surface requirements in general industry workplaces. Highlights the key walking-working surfaces rules and the rules that have delayed effective dates.
  English 09/06/2017
Quick facts
- Escaleras portátiles
  Portable ladders
  Datos rápidos para trabajadores sobre escaleras portátiles. Seleccione la escalera apropiada para el trabajo que va a hacer. Inspeccione la escalera. Posicione la escalera de manera apropiada. Trabaje de manera segura. - | - Quick facts for employees about portable ladders. Choose the right ladder for the job. Inspect the ladder. Set up the ladder properly. Work safely.
  Spanish 11/12/2019
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Online course
- Fall Protection online course
  English Online course
- Fall Protection Suite
  English Online course
- Ladder Safety online course
  English Online course
- Principios fundamentales de la protección contra caídas
  Spanish Online course

PESO
- Portable Ladders (with glossary)
  Escaleras Portátiles (con glosario)
  Overhead Spanish
- Portable Ladders (with glossary)
  Escaleras Portátiles (con glosario)
  Tailgate Spanish
- Portable Ladders (with glossary)
  Escaleras Portátiles (con glosario)
  Workbook Spanish
- Portable Ladders (with glossary)
  Escaleras Portátiles (con glosario)
  Overhead Spanish 08/04/2006
- Portable Ladders (with glossary)
  Escaleras Portátiles (con glosario)
  Tailgate Spanish 08/25/2005
- Portable Ladders (with glossary)
  Escaleras Portátiles (con glosario)
  Workbook Spanish 08/25/2005

Rules and rule-related

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision D, Walking-Working Surfaces
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision X, Stairways and Ladders
  3-2015 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision D, Work Surfaces
  9-2006 Word version
Interpretations
- Climbing bar vs. cage
  08/21/1996
- Construction ladder code
  12/06/2007
- Extension ladders
  08/15/1997
- Fall protection from ladders, vehicles, or trailers during construction activities
  04/18/2018
- Fixed ladders used in vaults
  12/06/2007
- Ladders and roof hatches
  12/06/2007
- Ladders attached to scaffolding
  12/06/2007
- Ladders using hoisting devices
  01/23/2008
- Using orchard ladders for other than orchard work
  12/06/2007
Program Directives
- Ladders: Fixed Ladders used on Outdoor Advertising Structures and Billboards
  Purpose: This is to inform Oregon OSHA staffs of a federal OSHA Instruction STD 01-01.014, which must be used by Oregon OSHA personnel when inspecting employees performing work on billboards and related equipment.
  A-178 06/15/2018
- Ladders: Fixed Ladders Used Only for Emergency Evacuations
  Purpose: To establish Oregon OSHA’s position on the applicability of fall protection requirements under 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(A) – (D) and 1926.1053(a)(18) & (19) for fixed ladders used only for emergency evacuations.
  A-142 05/29/2018
- Ladders: Manhole Metal Ladders for Telecommunications Workers
  Purpose: Portable Ladders: Manhole Metal Ladders for Telecommunication Activities
  A-033 05/29/2018
- Ladders: Manhole Steps in Manholes
  To clarify the applicability of 1910.24(b), Manhole Steps, where employees use manhole steps in walls and conical top sections of manholes.
  A-021 05/29/2018

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Ladders
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Ladders from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- A Practical Approach to Ladder Safety (ERI)
  While ladder manufacturers strive to produce the safest ladders possible, a well-made ladder is not enough.
  English 20 minutes
- Shoots and Ladders: A Guide to Ladder Safety
  More Oregon workers are injured in falls from ladders than from any other elevated surface. The young worker in this video shows how common mistakes can lead to accidents.
  English 1:15 minutes
Spanish
- Un Enfoque Práctico sobre Seguridad en el uso de Escaleras (ERI)
  A Practical Approach to Ladder Safety (ERI)
  While ladder manufacturers strive to produce the safest ladders possible, a well-made ladder is not enough. Our safety while climbing or working on a ladder depends on following safe work practices
  Spanish 20 minutes

Additional Resources

Highlights

publication cover
Portable ladders: How to use them so they won’t let you down