1926.1053(b)(12): Nonconductive Ladders Near Electrical Equipment
Ladders must have nonconductive siderails when used where the worker or ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment, except as provided in 1926.955(b) and (c).
Key takeaways
- 1926.1053(b)(12) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
- OSHA cited it 41 times in the last 3 years, in 41 inspections, with $121,056 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (6), NJ (4), FL (4).
- Related part: 1926.1053(b) Use (10,146 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(12) 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
(12) Ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment, except as provided in § 1926.955(b) and (c) of this part. 41 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1053.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1053(b)(12).
At 11:30 a.m. on July 3, 2024, an employee working as a roofer for a roofing contractor was attempting to install a 117-1/4-inch-long piece of metal drip edge on the roof edge of a residential building. While the employee attempted toinstall the drip edge, it…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: MD (6), NJ (4), FL (4), DE (3), IN (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LUIS ALBERTO-REYNA AVILA, AKA LUIS REYNA AVILA | SCRANTON, PA | $16,550 |
| ELDER JOSUE PEREZ ORTEGA | QUEEN ANNE, MD | $14,000 |
| ROMAN ROOFING INC | FORT MYERS BEACH, FL | $8,711 |
| DAC CONTRACTORS, LLC | HARRINGTON, DE | $7,282 |
| KUHL EXTERIORS LLC | ANDERSON, IN | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1053(b)(12), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1053(b) Use 10,146 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(1) 6,588 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(13) 947 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(4) 910 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(16) 382 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(22) 258 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(6) 244 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(5) 223 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(5)(i) 220 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(15) 139 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(9) 116 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(10) 58 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
When are nonconductive siderails required?
When the employee or ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
Are there exceptions?
Yes, as provided in 1926.955(b) and (c).
Can an aluminum ladder be used near energized equipment?
Not where contact is possible; ladders there must have nonconductive siderails, except as provided in 1926.955(b) and (c).
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.