1926.1053(a)(24): Fixed Ladder Side Rail Extension
The side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders must extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform the ladder serves. For a parapet ladder, the access level is the roof if the parapet is cut for passage, or the top of the parapet if it is continuous.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1053(a)(24) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
- OSHA cited it 7 times in the last 3 years, in 7 inspections, with $13,772 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.1053(a) General (99 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1053(a)(24) is one requirement inside 1926.1053 Ladders, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart X). 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
(24) The side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders shall extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder. For a parapet ladder, the access level shall be the roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage through the parapet; if the parapet is continuous, the access level shall be the top of the parapet. 7 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1053.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1053(a)(24).
At 11:23 a.m. on September 24, 2024, Employee #1 was working inside a precast concrete manhole section that had been previously installed in an excavation. A second precast concrete manhole section, suspended above by rigging, came loose and fell approximately 9 feet. The falling load…
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1053(a)(24), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1053(a)(24).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1053(a) General 99 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(1) 27 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(2) 13 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(7) 13 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(8) 13 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(3) 10 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(3)(i) 10 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(1)(ii) 8 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(1)(i) 6 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(13) 3 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(19) 3 citations
- 1926.1053(a)(6) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How far must fixed ladder side rails extend?
42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform.
Which ladders does this cover?
Through or side-step fixed ladders.
What is the access level for a parapet ladder?
The roof if the parapet is cut for passage; the top of the parapet if it is continuous.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1053 (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.