1926.1053(b)(5): Ladder Angle
Employees must use non-self-supporting ladders at an angle so the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot is approximately one-quarter of the working length. Wood job-made ladders with spliced side rails use one-eighth of the working length, and fixed ladders are used at a pitch no greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal, measured to the back side.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1053(b)(5) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X).
- OSHA cited it 223 times in the last 3 years, in 222 inspections, with $348,562 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (45), VA (26), FL (15).
- Related part: 1926.1053(b) Use (10,146 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(5) is one requirement inside 1926.1053 Ladders, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart X). It includes 3 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
(5) 223 citations
(i) Non-self-supporting ladders shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the distance along the ladder between the foot and the top support). Open (b)(5)(i) 220 citations
(ii) Wood job-made ladders with spliced side rails shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance is one-eighth the working length of the ladder. 3 citations
(iii) Fixed ladders shall be used at a pitch no greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal, as measured to the back side of the ladder. Open (b)(5)(iii)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1053.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1053(b)(5).
At 1:00 p.m. on December 24, 2024, Employee #1, a masonry contractor and site foreman, was working on a tubular frame welded scaffold at a new residential construction site in Lincolnwood, Illinois. While directing three other employees installing a brick fa�ade, he fell from the…
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 | 11 |
| 2024 | 90 |
| 2025 | 74 |
| 2026 | 48 |
Top states: MD (45), VA (26), FL (15), MA (13), NC (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| J.S ALDO'S CONSTRUCTION CO, INC. | MAYWOOD, NJ | $16,550 |
| LUIS ALBERTO-REYNA AVILA, AKA LUIS REYNA AVILA | SCRANTON, PA | $13,005 |
| SHIRLEY CONTRACTING COMPANY, LLC | HAMPTON, VA | $9,356 |
| C. STERLING QUALITY ROOFING, INC. | LAND O LAKES, FL | $9,268 |
| IWR NORTH AMERICA, LLC | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $8,937 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1053(b)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicable regulations to a metal cable ladder that is similar to a Jacob's Ladder. (2003-11-03)
- Portable ladders. (1996-04-02)
- Use of temporary vertical ladders. (1993-03-16)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1053(b) Use 10,146 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(1) 6,588 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(13) 947 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(4) 910 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(16) 382 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(22) 258 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(6) 244 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(5)(i) 220 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(15) 139 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(9) 116 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(10) 58 citations
- 1926.1053(b)(8) 56 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the right angle for an extension ladder?
Set it so the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot is approximately one-quarter of the working length.
What is working length?
The distance along the ladder between the foot and the top support.
What angle applies to job-made ladders with spliced rails?
The horizontal distance is one-eighth the working length of the ladder.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1053 (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.