In North Carolina, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Ladders (Construction) is enforced for private construction employers by North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division.
29 CFR 1926.1053 · North Carolina
Ladders (Construction) Requirements in North Carolina
Ladders (Construction) in North Carolina: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
North CarolinaConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division
In FY2025, North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 179 times in North Carolina construction (11.1% of its construction citations there, the 4th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1926.1053(b)(1) with 100 citations.
179
1926.1053 citations in North Carolina construction, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph cited most in North Carolina (100 citations)
7.9
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, North Carolina, 2024 (BLS)
North Carolina 29 CFR 1926.1053 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-08179
citations of 29 CFR 1926.1053 (FY2025)
$304,477
penalties for this standard
11.1%
of the state's 1,610 construction citations
In FY2025, North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 179 times on North Carolina construction jobsites with $304,477 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 11.1% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it fourth on North Carolina's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What North Carolina's own rule says
Ladders are incorporated federal text in North Carolina: the state's construction amendments touch general provisions, non-ionizing radiation, personal protective and life saving equipment, steel erection and toxic substances, and none reaches Subpart X. What does reach a ladder is the snaphook rule at .0204: a lanyard connected to a ladder safety system here needs a self-closing, self-locking keeper because the requirement sits in Subpart E, not only in the fall arrest criteria. The state's non-ionizing radiation amendment at .0203 is worth a glance for anyone using laser levels: it applies 1926.54 to all direct or reflected laser equipment except unmodified Class I units maintained to the manufacturer's recommendations.
29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Read in North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division's own rule text · verified 2026-08-08
Falls and work deaths in North Carolina, 2024
North Carolina recorded 196 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 177 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 32 of them (16%). Construction accounted for 37, 14 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, North Carolina, 2024
How North Carolina Enforces 29 CFR 1926.1053
North Carolina runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division, which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce North Carolina's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is 29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201, which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 179 times in North Carolina construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). North Carolina applies the federal penalty maximums.
In North Carolina, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 went most often to Framing Contractors (93) and Roofing Contractors (62). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the North Carolina State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in North Carolina
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In North Carolina, the program is Bureau of Consultative Services (North Carolina Department of Labor – OSH Division). OSHA describes it as “Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs.” It is separate from OSHA enforcement; the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
North Carolina consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
North Carolina Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1926.1053 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $16,550 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Willful | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Repeat | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Failure to abate | $16,550/day | up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6) |
North Carolina applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Ladders (Construction) Requirements 29 CFR 1926.1053
- Extend ladder 3 feet above landing
- Secure at top and bottom
- Maintain 3-point contact
- Use non-slip feet on ladder base
- Inspect before each use
- Do not load beyond rated capacity
- Face ladder while climbing
Who enforces it in North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division can add requirements beyond the federal standard above, so check its own rules as well.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1926.1053 are on the 29 CFR 1926.1053 page.
Most-Cited Ladders (Construction) Paragraphs in North Carolina, FY2025
North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division issued 179 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to North Carolina construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1926.1053(b)(1) 100 citations
“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 …”
- 2
1926.1053(b)(13) 47 citations
“The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.”
- 3
1926.1053(b)(4) 19 citations
“Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.”
- 4
1926.1053(b)(5)(i) 5 citations
“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 …”
- 5
1926.1053(b)(16) 2 citations
“Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or …”
- 6
1926.1053(b)(9) 2 citations
“The area around the top and bottom of ladders shall be kept clear.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
North Carolina Safety & Enforcement Profile
1,610
FY2025 construction citations
North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in North Carolina, FY2025: Framing Contractors (266), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (187) and Roofing Contractors (170), out of 987 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1926.1053 in North Carolina, FY2025: Framing Contractors (93), Roofing Contractors (62) and Siding Contractors (8), of 179 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in North Carolina, 2024: 7.9 per 100,000 full-time workers, 28th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 4.1).
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) opened from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, federal OSHA and State Plan combined, grouped by the inspected employer's 2022 NAICS industry. HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), grouped by the cited employer's 2022 NAICS industry. Industry names are the Census Bureau's 2022 NAICS titles. data.dol.gov · BLS fatality rates by state, 2024
Free Ladders (Construction) Compliance Tools
Ladders (Construction) FAQ for North Carolina
Which North Carolina construction trades are cited most under Ladders (Construction)?
In FY2025, North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division issued 179 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053 to North Carolina construction employers, most often to Framing Contractors (93), Roofing Contractors (62) and Siding Contractors (8) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division issued 1,610 construction citations across 498 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201, North Carolina's own rule on this subject.
How often is Ladders (Construction) cited on North Carolina jobsites?
In FY2025, North Carolina's state plan (North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division) issued 1,610 construction citations across 498 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Ladders (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. North Carolina's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces ladder rules (1926.1053) on North Carolina construction sites?
The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL), not federal OSHA. North Carolina runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 29 CFR 1926.1053, 179 times in FY2025 construction.
Can I get free OSHA help in North Carolina without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in North Carolina is Bureau of Consultative Services (North Carolina Department of Labor – OSH Division). OSHA describes it this way: "Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs." Consultations are separate from OSHA enforcement, and the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
How often does North Carolina cite 29 CFR 1926.1053 in construction?
In FY2025, North Carolina Department of Labor - OSH Division cited 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Ladders (Construction)) 179 times on North Carolina construction jobsites, with $304,477 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 11.1% of the 1,610 construction citations the state issued that year. (Source: OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23; verified 2026-08-08.)
Ladders (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Ladders (Construction) in Other States
8 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1926.1053 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
California8 CCR §1675, which routes portable ladders to §3276 and fixed ladders to §3277-3278own maxHawaii29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by HAR §12-110-50(a), with §12-110-1 and §12-110-3MichiganMIOSHA Construction Safety Standard Part 11, R 408.41101 to R 408.41140own maxMinnesotaMinn. R. 5207.0200 and 5207.0210 (ships ladders)NevadaNAC 618.503, adopting ANSI A10.13-1989Oregon29 CFR 1926.1053 as adopted, plus OAR 437-003-0065own maxUtah29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by R614-1-4.A.4, with R614-1-5.C.1own maxWashingtonWAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040)
Other OSHA Standards in North Carolina
Sources & verification
Penalty amounts and plan-type data were checked on 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register. This page is informational and not legal advice; consult the enforcing agency or counsel for your specific situation.
Get the Binder in Order Before the Inspector Arrives. Are You Ready?
OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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