Ladder Safety

Other Requirements

• Foldout or stepladders must have a metal spreader or locking device to hold the front and back sections in an open position when in use. (See Figure 4.)

Figure 4

• When two or more ladders are used to reach a work area, they must be offset with a landing or platform between the ladders.
• The area around the top and bottom of ladder must be kept clear.
• Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections, unless they are specifically designed for such use. (See Figure 5.)

Figure 5

• Never use a ladder for any purpose other than the one for which it was designed.

Additional Information:

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X, Ladders. OSHA Standard.
  • 1926.1053, Ladders
    • 1926.1053(a)
• Additional Examples

Additional Examples

This is improperly using the top rung of this step ladder to work from

A painter claims that a colleague's negligence was responsible for his fall from a ladder while he was painting a house in Godfrey.

According to a lawsuit filed recently in Madison County Circuit Court, the painter, James Miller, alleges that he and Roger Crone had agreed to paint Crone's house at 3506 Riverview Court in Godfrey. They were at the home on May 4, 2006, when Crone provided Miller with a ladder so that he could reach the second story eaves. According to the suit, Crone placed the ladder in the bed of his Ford F350 truck. The pair had agreed that Miller would climb the ladder and paint the eaves and that Crone would stay in the truck bed to keep the ladder from slipping or moving, according to the suit.

After Miller had begun painting, the ladder "shifted from its placement and caused the plaintiff to fall to the ground."

Miller suffered severe and permanent injury to his back that resulted in past and future medical bills, according to the suit.

The suit claims that Crone was negligent because he failed to hold the ladder as the two had agreed, and because he allegedly failed to warn Miller he was leaving the truck bed.

Miller is seeking in excess of $50,000, plus costs of the suit.

Kimberly Miller is also seeking in excess of $50,000. The suit claims she "has lost or had diminished services, society, companionship and consortium of her husband."


Painter Files Lawsuit Against Co-Worker