1926.1053 Ladder Safety: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This section covers the design, construction, and use of portable and fixed ladders, including job-made ladders, in construction. Portable ladders used to reach upper landings must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface or be secured with a grab support. Ladders must be used only for their designed purpose, placed on stable surfaces, inspected by a competent person, and removed from service when defective.
What the standard requires
- Extend portable ladders 3 feet above landings or provide a grab support
- Use ladders only for the purpose for which they were designed
- Prohibit standing on the top step or top of stepladders
- Tag and remove defective ladders from service
- Have a competent person inspect ladders periodically
Hazards it addresses
- Falls from ladders
- Ladder slides and tip-overs
- Electric shock from conductive ladders near energized equipment
Frequently cited in residential construction, roofing, painting, and electrical work.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.1053(b)(1) | Portable ladders used for access to an upper landing must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface. | 1,616 | 1,616 | $2,894 |
| 1926.1053(b)(13) | The top or top step of a stepladder must not be used as a step. | 257 | 257 | $1,300 |
| 1926.1053(b)(4) | Ladders must be used only for the purpose for which they were designed. | 257 | 256 | $1,929 |
| 1926.1053(b)(16) | Ladders with structural defects must be marked defective or tagged and withdrawn from service. | 120 | 120 | $100 |
| 1926.1053(b)(22) | 69 | 69 | $2,894 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(6) | 65 | 65 | $2,500 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(5)(i) | 61 | 60 | $437 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(15) | 41 | 41 | $0 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(9) | 37 | 37 | $0 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(7) | 14 | 14 | $4,051 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(21) | 10 | 10 | $900 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(3) | 9 | 9 | $2,750 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(8) | 9 | 9 | $1,750 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(10) | 8 | 8 | $3,192 | |
| 1926.1053(b)(12) | 8 | 8 | $3,972 |
Penalties
Across 2,621 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $9,125,885 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $7,623,490, 16% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 84%; Repeat 8%; Other-than-serious 7%; Willful 0%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 203 | 284 | $387,792 | $355,454 |
| Illinois | 174 | 220 | $887,260 | $680,665 |
| Florida | 168 | 184 | $799,351 | $662,194 |
| North Carolina | 146 | 179 | $283,155 | $259,623 |
| Texas | 132 | 136 | $587,684 | $496,894 |
| Ohio | 123 | 138 | $768,583 | $622,109 |
| New York | 118 | 135 | $584,782 | $456,336 |
| Virginia | 103 | 154 | $403,022 | $352,196 |
| New Jersey | 88 | 110 | $576,635 | $513,711 |
| Georgia | 83 | 92 | $217,049 | $192,563 |
| Oregon | 76 | 91 | $327,896 | $321,088 |
| Wisconsin | 73 | 82 | $368,152 | $332,815 |
| Pennsylvania | 59 | 64 | $250,509 | $225,861 |
| Tennessee | 54 | 75 | $68,000 | $66,440 |
| Massachusetts | 51 | 65 | $261,663 | $149,931 |
| Missouri | 51 | 55 | $291,173 | $222,414 |
| Alabama | 48 | 51 | $201,938 | $171,064 |
| Kentucky | 37 | 45 | $283,800 | $267,510 |
| Oklahoma | 34 | 34 | $123,201 | $105,677 |
| New Hampshire | 28 | 35 | $84,419 | $61,945 |
By industry
- Construction: 2,124 inspections
- Manufacturing: 9 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 8 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 5 inspections
- Other services: 4 inspections
- Public administration: 4 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 3 inspections
- Utilities: 2 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abe Yoder Roofing, LLC | Independence, OH | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $2,270 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Daniel Jaramillo LLC | Wendell, NC | Sep 2, 2026 | 1 | $1,300 | $1,300 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| EPT Construction LLC | Linwood, NC | Sep 1, 2026 | 2 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hasheider Roofing & Siding, Ltd. | Madison, WI | Sep 1, 2026 | 1 | $3,618 | $3,618 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Haslet, TX | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $1,702 | $1,021 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Polivio Construction Inc. | Chicago, IL | Aug 31, 2026 | 2 | $2,270 | $2,270 | OpenAbatement due Sep 25, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 22, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| JWC Specialties, Inc. | Madison, TN | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $900 | $900 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Hinsdale, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $2,837 | OpenAbatement due Sep 28, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Cobra's Roofing, LLC | Meridian, ID | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $681 | OpenAbatement due Sep 24, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Ellicott City, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $1,350 | $1,350 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| D.a.b. Contractors LLC | Aurora, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $851 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| D.a.b. Contractors LLC | Aurora, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $1,276 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Melendez Quality Roofing LLC | Wilmington, NC | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $3,310 | $3,310 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Maxi Construction LLC | Greenfield, NH | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Holly Springs, NC | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $1,300 | $1,300 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Aaron's Carpentry LLC | Downers Grove, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $2,130 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D.a.b. Contractors LLC | Aurora, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $1,062 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Wilde Hse, LLC | South Hadley, MA | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Jim Neece Construction LLC | Glade Spring, VA | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $690 | $690 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Leonard Roofing LLC | Bristol, VA | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $4,885 | $4,885 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 18, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| J & P United Painting LLC | Portland, OR | Aug 27, 2026 | 1 | $3,644 | $3,644 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Water Mill, NY | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $4,965 | $4,965 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contested Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Supreme Brickface & Stucco LLC | Westwood, MA | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $3,972 | $1,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Mustang, OK | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $1,447 | $1,447 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 17, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Dios Conmigo Quien Contra El Construction LLC | Valley Cottage, NY | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $9,930 | $7,200 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Blue River Construction, Inc. | Dundalk, MD | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $787 | $787 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 2, 2026Contested Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Rio's Roofing, LLC | Canton, OH | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $8,512 | $8,512 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 16, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| R & C Remodeling LLC | Baltimore, MD | Aug 25, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Sep 2, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 16, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Maria DE Los Angeles Antonio Flores | Greensboro, NC | Aug 25, 2026 | 2 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Pfafftown, NC | Aug 25, 2026 | 5 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Beyond Limits Roofing LLC | Madison, WI | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $2,412 | $1,687 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Kankakee, IL | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| PH Remolding LLC | Lake Winnebago, MO | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,972 | $1,986 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Garner, NC | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gva Quality Contractors Inc. | Powder Springs, GA | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $4,256 | $4,256 | OpenAbatement due Sep 16, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 16, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Southwest Industrial Electric | Reno, NV | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $1,774 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| A & E Painting Inc. | Arlington Heights, IL | Aug 25, 2026 | 3 | $3,972 | $2,000 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| AM 1 Roofing Inc. | Bend, OR | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $12,147 | $12,147 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Holland Backhoe, Inc. | Shawnee, OK | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $1,809 | $1,085 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Paramount Framers Inc. | Valley Cottage, NY | Aug 25, 2026 | 2 | $7,944 | $5,184 | OpenContest deadline ~Sep 16, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (1711 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (750 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (625 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (332 shared inspections)
- 1926.1060 Ladder and Stair Training (247 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (232 shared inspections)
- 1926.451 Scaffold Safety (203 shared inspections)
- 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems (151 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.1053 require?
This section covers the design, construction, and use of portable and fixed ladders, including job-made ladders, in construction. Portable ladders used to reach upper landings must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface or be secured with a grab support. Ladders must be used only for their designed purpose, placed on stable surfaces, inspected by a competent person, and removed from service when defective.
How often was 1926.1053 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.1053 (Ladder Safety) appeared in 2,166 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 2,621 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.1053 is cited most?
1926.1053(b)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 1,616 items: Portable ladders used for access to an upper landing must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface.
Which states cite 1926.1053 most often?
The most citations under 1926.1053 in this period were issued in Maryland, Illinois, Florida.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.1053 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $2,837; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,000. Totals: $9,125,885 proposed, $7,623,490 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.1053 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 7% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.