1910.23(c)(3): Do Not Overload Ladders
Employers must make sure ladders are not loaded beyond their maximum intended load. That load includes the total weight and force of the employee plus all tools, equipment and materials being carried.
Key takeaways
- 1910.23(c)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 68 times in the last 3 years, in 68 inspections, with $33,548 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (42), CT (13), CA (3).
- Related part: 1910.23(c) Portable ladders (462 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.23(c)(3) is one requirement inside 1910.23 Ladders, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(3) Ladders are not loaded beyond the maximum intended load; 68 citations
The maximum intended load, as defined in § 1910.21(b), includes the total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment, and materials being carried.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.23.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.23(c)(3).
At about 10: 30 a.m. on January 30, 2024, Employee #1, a 69-year-old maintenancemechanic with one year and eight months on the job, injured his left shoulder and left knee while working from a five rung step ladder. The ladder suddenly moved while the employee…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 39 |
Top states: TN (42), CT (13), CA (3), NY (3), PA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ZEAGER BROS., INC. | MIDDLETOWN, PA | $10,000 |
| HANWHA AEROSPACE USA, LLC | GLASTONBURY, CT | $9,795 |
| SEWELL CADILLAC OF HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $5,296 |
| H.B. LEISURE, INC. | AGAWAM, MA | $4,839 |
| ALPINE CLIMATE CONTROL HEATING, COOLING, PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL LLC | SHERIDAN, WY | $3,618 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.23(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry (2005-05-23)
- Workers must be protected from hazards of heated (hot) surfaces. (1998-08-19)
- Interpretation on requirements for guard rail height on ledges. (1979-11-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.23(c) Portable ladders 462 citations
- 1910.23(c)(11) 198 citations
- 1910.23(c)(8) 61 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7) 42 citations
- 1910.23(c)(4) 38 citations
- 1910.23(c)(9) 33 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7)(i) 21 citations
- 1910.23(c)(2) 7 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7)(ii) 6 citations
- 1910.23(c)(1) 3 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What counts toward a ladder's maximum intended load?
The total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment and materials being carried.
Can a ladder be loaded past its maximum intended load?
No. Ladders must not be loaded beyond the maximum intended load.
Where is maximum intended load defined?
In 1910.21(b).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.23 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.