1910.23(c)(7): Securing Ladders in Traffic Areas
Ladders placed in passageways, doorways or driveways where they can be knocked by other activities or traffic must be secured to prevent accidental displacement, or guarded by a temporary barricade such as cones or caution tape.
Key takeaways
- 1910.23(c)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 42 times in the last 3 years, in 42 inspections, with $64,912 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (12), IL (4), MA (4).
- 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)(7) is one requirement inside 1910.23 Ladders, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart D). It includes 2 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
(7) Ladders placed in locations such as passageways, doorways, or driveways where they can be displaced by other activities or traffic: 42 citations
(i) Are secured to prevent accidental displacement; or Open (c)(7)(i) 21 citations
(ii) Are guarded by a temporary barricade, such as a row of traffic cones or caution tape, to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder; Open (c)(7)(ii) 6 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.23.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.23(c)(7).
On April 8, 2024, an employee working for a concrete products mixing company fell approximately 5 feet from a stepladder suffering head trauma. At 9:45 a.m.on April 9, 2024, while being treated in the hospital, the employee experienced multiple strokes and died.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: NY (12), IL (4), MA (4), NJ (2), VA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WAUSAU HOMES INC | ROTHSCHILD, WI | $13,000 |
| DG RETAIL, LLC | FAIR HAVEN, VT | $9,457 |
| NEW JERSEY TRANSIT MEADOWS MAINTENANCE COMPLEX | KEARNY, NJ | $7,000 |
| 68855 - DICKS SPORTING GOODS INC | LYNDON, KY | $7,000 |
| MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA | ROCK ISLAND, IL | $6,030 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.23(c)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.23(c)(7).
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)(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
Where does this rule apply?
To ladders in passageways, doorways, driveways or other locations where they can be displaced by activities or traffic.
What are the two options?
Secure the ladder to prevent displacement, or guard it with a temporary barricade.
What counts as a temporary barricade?
For example, a row of traffic cones or caution tape.
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.