1910.23(b)(9): Inspect Ladders Every Shift
Ladders must be inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more often as necessary, to find any visible defects that could injure an employee.
Key takeaways
- 1910.23(b)(9) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 162 times in the last 3 years, in 162 inspections, with $310,570 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: HI (20), MI (13), MA (11).
- Related part: 1910.23(b) General requirements for all ladders (683 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.23(b)(9) 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
(9) Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury; 162 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.23.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.23(b)(9).
At 4:00 p.m. on October 17, 2024, an employee working for a machine shop was standing on a ladder approximately 13 feet from the ground. The employee was lubricating the garage door which was squeaking. The employee fell off the ladder and hit his head…
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 | 58 |
| 2025 | 59 |
| 2026 | 33 |
Top states: HI (20), MI (13), MA (11), CT (10), PR (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 158962 - AMCOR SPECIALTY CARTONS AMERICAS LLC | REIDSVILLE, NC | $17,225 |
| SPENCER GIFTS LLC | BLASDELL, NY | $13,334 |
| BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB, INC. | WARNER ROBINS, GA | $11,348 |
| REINKE MANUFACTURING CO., INC. | DESHLER, NE | $10,000 |
| HANWHA AEROSPACE USA, LLC | GLASTONBURY, CT | $9,795 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.23(b)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.23(b)(9).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.23(b) General requirements for all ladders 683 citations
- 1910.23(b)(10) 281 citations
- 1910.23(b)(8) 150 citations
- 1910.23(b)(13) 37 citations
- 1910.23(b)(1) 13 citations
- 1910.23(b)(12) 10 citations
- 1910.23(b)(2) 10 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
How often must ladders be inspected?
Before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary.
What is the inspection looking for?
Any visible defects that could cause employee injury.
Is a weekly inspection enough?
No. Ladders must be inspected before first use in each work shift.
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.