1910.23(c)(11): Ladder Side Rails Above the Landing
Employers must make sure portable ladders used to reach an upper landing surface have side rails that extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface.
Key takeaways
- 1910.23(c)(11) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 198 times in the last 3 years, in 198 inspections, with $593,912 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OR (49), MA (13), TX (11).
- Related part: 1910.23(c) Portable ladders (462 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.23(c)(11) 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
(11) Portable ladders used to gain access to an upper landing surface have side rails that extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface (see Figure D-1 of this section); 198 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.23.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.23(c)(11).
At 8:00 a.m. on November 26, 2024, an employee was descending a ladder while dewatering from a culvert on the Franklin Canal. The employee's foot became stuck on a ladder rung, causing the ladder to slip. The employee fell and struckthe concrete ground, resulting in…
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 | 6 |
| 2024 | 65 |
| 2025 | 87 |
| 2026 | 40 |
Top states: OR (49), MA (13), TX (11), MN (11), NY (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ADIDAS AMERICA, INC. | CHESTER, NY | $116,848 |
| POMPANOOSUC MILLS CORPORATION | EAST THETFORD, VT | $14,895 |
| CONCRETE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | CUMMING, IA | $14,063 |
| MAR-JAC POULTRY MS, LLC | HATTIESBURG, MS | $14,062 |
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $13,415 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.23(c)(11), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.23(c)(11).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.23(c) Portable ladders 462 citations
- 1910.23(c)(3) 68 citations
- 1910.23(c)(8) 61 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7) 42 citations
- 1910.23(c)(4) 38 citations
- 1910.23(c)(9) 33 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7)(i) 21 citations
- 1910.23(c)(2) 7 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7)(ii) 6 citations
- 1910.23(c)(1) 3 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 far must a ladder extend above a landing?
The side rails must extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface.
Does this apply to every portable ladder?
It applies to portable ladders used to gain access to an upper landing surface.
What part of the ladder must extend?
The side rails.
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.