OSHA 1926.1060(a): ladder and stairway training
Under 29 CFR 1926.1060(a), employers must train each employee who uses ladders and stairways, as necessary, to recognize the hazards and follow procedures to minimize them, with training by a competent person on fall hazards, ladder use and load capacities.
Official text
(a) The employer shall provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary. The program shall enable each employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards. (1) The employer shall ensure that each employee has been trained by a competent person in the following areas, as applicable: (i) The nature of fall hazards in the work area; (ii) The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used; (iii) The proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all stairways and ladders; (iv) The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used; and (v) The standards contained in this subpart.Read the full section on eCFR
(b) Retraining shall be provided for each employee as necessary so that the employee maintains the understanding and knowledge acquired through compliance with this section.Read the full section on eCFR
(f) Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- Each employee using ladders and stairways receives training, as necessary, to recognize the hazards and the procedures that minimize them.
- A competent person trains employees, as applicable, on fall hazards in the work area, fall protection systems, ladder and stairway construction, use, placement and care, and maximum intended ladder loads.
- Training covers the standards in Subpart X, and retraining is given as necessary so employees keep the knowledge.
Where it shows up on site
- A new hire setting an extension ladder without being shown how
- Workers standing on the top step or carrying loads up a ladder
- Repeated ladder setup problems on the same crew
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- Does the worker use ladders or stairways as part of the job?
- Is there a record of who delivered the training and whether that person qualifies as a competent person?
- Which topics did the training cover, and do they match the ladders and conditions on this site?
- Has the worker shown behavior suggesting retraining is needed?
Typical corrective actions
- Verify training records for the affected workers before they continue ladder work.
- Provide or repeat training by a competent person covering the topics in 1926.1060(a)(1).
- Retrain workers who show unsafe ladder practices, and document the session.
- Add ladder setup and inspection to the next toolbox talk.
Common questions
Does OSHA require ladder training for construction workers?
Yes. 1926.1060(a) requires a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary, and requires that each employee be trained by a competent person in the listed areas, as applicable.
Who can give ladder training?
A competent person. Under 1926.32(f), that is someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.