1926.1051: Stairways and Ladders: When They Are Required
Employers must provide a stairway or ladder at every worker access point with a step up or down of 19 inches or more, unless a ramp, runway, sloped embankment or personnel hoist is provided. Temporary spiral stairs are banned, and 25 or more workers or two-way traffic need a double-cleated ladder or two ladders. Access points must be kept clear, and required fall protection installed before work begins.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1051 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
- OSHA cited it 482 times in the last 3 years, in 480 inspections, with $1,296,301 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (101), NC (63), MD (53).
- Most-cited part: 1926.1051(a) (476 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1051, "General requirements", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart X). It has 6 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.1051 (6 paragraphs)
(a) A stairway or ladder shall be provided at all personnel points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided. Open (a) 476 citations
(1) Employees shall not use any spiral stairways that will not be a permanent part of the structure on which construction work is being performed. 1 citations
(2) A double-cleated ladder or two or more separate ladders shall be provided when ladders are the only mean of access or exit from a working area for 25 or more employees, or when a ladder is to serve simultaneous two-way traffic.
(3) When a building or structure has only one point of access between levels, that point of access shall be kept clear to permit free passage of employees. When work must be performed or equipment must be used such that free passage at that point of access is restricted, a second point of access shall be provided and used. 6 citations
(4) When a building or structure has two or more points of access between levels, at least one point of access shall be kept clear to permit free passage of employees. 4 citations
(b) Employers shall provide and install all stairway and ladder fall protection systems required by this subpart and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this subpart before employees begin the work that necessitates the installation and use of stairways, ladders, and their respective fall protection systems. 6 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 480 inspections cited 1926.1051 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 187 |
| 2025 | 164 |
| 2026 | 115 |
Top states: TX (101), NC (63), MD (53), IL (48), GA (32)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PUNTA BORINQUEN PRECAST CORP. | SAN SEBASTIAN, PR | $70,000 |
| NON-STOP BUILDERS, INC | BORDENTOWN, NJ | $64,529 |
| GRABER & SONS CONSTRUCTION, LLC | SAVOY, IL | $41,611 |
| RS FRAMING EXPERTS INC | MERRIMACK, NH | $21,281 |
| TIMBERVIEW BUILDERS LLC | URBANA, IL | $17,023 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1051.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1051(a) 476 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When is a stairway or ladder required in construction?
At any personnel access point with a break in elevation of 19 inches or more, unless a ramp, runway, sloped embankment or personnel hoist is provided.
When is a double-cleated ladder needed?
When a ladder is the only way in or out for 25 or more employees, or when it serves two-way traffic at the same time.
When must stair and ladder fall protection be in place?
Before employees begin the work that needs the stairways or ladders.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1051 (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 2026-11-06
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.