1926.1060(a)(1): Fall Protection Training for Stairways and Ladders
Construction employers must make sure each employee has been trained by a competent person, as applicable, in the fall hazards in the work area, correct procedures for erecting, maintaining and taking down fall protection systems, proper construction, use, placement and care of stairways and ladders, the maximum intended load capacities of ladders used, and the standards in this subpart.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1060(a)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
- OSHA cited it 152 times in the last 3 years, in 152 inspections, with $218,467 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (15), PR (15), TX (12).
- Related part: 1926.1060(a) (1,159 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1060(a)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.1060 Training requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart X). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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
(1) The employer shall ensure that each employee has been trained by a competent person in the following areas, as applicable: 152 citations
(i) The nature of fall hazards in the work area; Open (a)(1)(i) 11 citations
(ii) The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used; 3 citations
(iii) The proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all stairways and ladders; Open (a)(1)(iii) 63 citations
(iv) The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used; and
(v) The standards contained in this subpart. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1060.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1060(a)(1).
At 12:00 p.m. on February 17, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a drywall installer and was installing metal frames and drywall. The employee was working from a 7-foot ladder installing fire tape and drywall when he fell sustaining fatal injuries.
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 | 54 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: FL (15), PR (15), TX (12), TN (9), NH (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALL PHASE ROOFING, INC. | STUART, FL | $13,278 |
| OPTIMIZE ELECTRIC, INC | MAGNOLIA, TX | $11,585 |
| SKY LIGHT ROOFING INC. | WINTER PARK, FL | $10,000 |
| SPECTRUM CONSTRUCTION LLC | HENDERSON, NV | $7,235 |
| PV HARDWARE, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $5,959 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1060(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Keller ladder proper set up. (1993-12-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1060(a) 1,159 citations
- 1926.1060(a)(1)(iii) 63 citations
- 1926.1060(a)(1)(i) 11 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
Who must give ladder and stairway training?
A competent person.
Does training cover ladder capacity?
Yes. It covers the maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used.
What else must be covered?
Fall hazards in the work area, fall protection system procedures, proper use and care of stairways and ladders, and the standards in the subpart.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1060 (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.