Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 002 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support. The employer does not ensure that portable ladders are selected and used to provide a safe means of access to upper landings. This most recently occurred on November 5, 2019 on the jobsite located at 12519 Preservation Way, Pickerington, OH 43147. The employer did not ensure that employees using a portable A-frame ladder to access the second story of the residential structure were provided with a ladder that extended at least three-feet above the second level landing surface of the residential structure. Alejandro Vazquez Gallegos was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1324337, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on July 24, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 4351 McAlister Park Drive, Westerville, Ohio. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, the employer must submit documents describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including a description of how these steps protect its employees from the fall hazards.