1926.1053(b)(6): Use Ladders on Stable, Level Surfaces
Employees must use ladders only on stable and level surfaces, unless the ladder is secured to prevent accidental displacement.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1053(b)(6) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
- OSHA cited it 244 times in the last 3 years, in 244 inspections, with $560,186 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (20), FL (16), NY (15).
- 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)(6) 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
(6) Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement. 244 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1053.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1053(b)(6).
At 2:00 a.m. on December 4, 2024, an employee working as a painter for a painting contractor was retouching an exterior wall from an extension ladder. The ladder slipped at the feet causing the employee to fall to the concrete surface. The employee died from…
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 | 12 |
| 2024 | 81 |
| 2025 | 102 |
| 2026 | 49 |
Top states: MD (20), FL (16), NY (15), NJ (15), VA (15)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WARD & BURKE TUNNELING INC | COFFEE CITY, TX | $16,550 |
| SIMON GENERAL SERVICES LLC | ALDIE, VA | $15,385 |
| JM EXTERIOR SIDING CORPORATION | TEWKSBURY, MA | $14,564 |
| HRGM CORPORATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,000 |
| COLORPRO FINISHERS, LLC | BOCA RATON, FL | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1053(b)(6), 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)(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
- 1926.1053(b)(8) 56 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
Can I set a ladder on uneven ground?
Only if it is secured to prevent accidental displacement.
What kind of surface does a ladder need?
A stable and level surface.
What does secured mean here?
The ladder is fixed so it cannot be accidentally displaced.
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.