1910.23(c)(4): Ladders on Stable, Level Surfaces
Ladders must be used only on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement.
Key takeaways
- 1910.23(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 38 times in the last 3 years, in 38 inspections, with $107,609 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (5), MI (4), OR (3).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) Ladders are used only on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement; 38 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.23.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: TX (5), MI (4), OR (3), AK (3), NJ (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RELADYNE | LAKELAND, FL | $11,292 |
| SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. | ROCK ISLAND, IL | $11,162 |
| NORTH HOUSTON - TRMC, LLC | TOMBALL, TX | $9,930 |
| INTEGRITY ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC | EL PASO, TX | $7,500 |
| MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $7,094 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.23(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.23(c)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.23(c) Portable ladders 462 citations
- 1910.23(c)(11) 198 citations
- 1910.23(c)(3) 68 citations
- 1910.23(c)(8) 61 citations
- 1910.23(c)(7) 42 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
Where can a ladder be set up?
Only on stable and level surfaces.
What if the surface is not level?
The ladder must be secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement.
Does this apply in general industry?
Yes. It is part of 1910.23, the general industry ladder rule.
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.