In Washington, a serious Ladders (Construction) violation 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 Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH), under WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040) rather than 29 CFR 1926.1053.
29 CFR 1926.1053 · Washington
Ladders (Construction) Requirements in Washington
Ladders (Construction) in Washington: 2026 penalties, who enforces WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040), the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
WashingtonConstruction (29 CFR 1926)State Plan: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH)
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) enforces Washington's own rule on this subject, WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040), rather than 29 CFR 1926.1053, and the state rule differs from the federal text. The federal maximum for a serious violation is $16,550.
2,759
federal construction citations under 1926.1053, nationwide, FY2025
(b)(1)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (1,910 citations)
6.3
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Washington, 2024 (BLS)
What Washington's own rule says
“You must prohibit work being done from a ladder more than twenty-five feet above the ground or floor if the work requires wearing eye protection or a respirator.”
Ladders came out of Washington's construction chapter entirely: 296-155-480 and its neighbors were repealed and replaced by chapter 296-876, which covers portable and fixed ladders in every industry. Three duties there have no federal counterpart: the ladder must be secured at the top and bottom whenever work is done from it; work needing both hands above twenty-five feet requires a safety belt with a lanyard secured to the ladder; and work above twenty-five feet is prohibited outright when it calls for eye protection or a respirator. A crew that would be compliant under 1926.1053 can be cited here for the height alone.
WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040)The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Falls and work deaths in Washington, 2024
Washington recorded 102 fatal work injuries in 2024, up from 97 in 2023. Falls, slips and trips caused 15 of them (15%). Construction accounted for 16, 8 of them from falls, slips and trips.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Washington, 2024
How Washington Enforces Ladders (Construction)
Washington runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Washington's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040), which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Washington applies the federal penalty maximums.
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040), before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Washington State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Washington
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Washington, the program is Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Washington Department of Labor & Industries). 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.
Washington consultation program · OSHA consultation directory
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Washington Penalty Amounts for Ladders (Construction) (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) |
Washington applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Ladders (Construction) Requirements Under the Federal Standard 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 Washington: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) 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, Federal OSHA Nationwide
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) enforces the state's own rule on this subject, WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040), so no Washington count under 29 CFR 1926.1053 is shown here. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most in construction nationwide in FY2025:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 2,759 citations under 29 CFR 1926.1053.
- 1
1926.1053(b)(1) 1,910 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)(4) 215 citations
“Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.”
- 3
1926.1053(b)(13) 196 citations
“The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.”
- 4
1926.1053(b)(16) 81 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 …”
- 5
1926.1053(b)(22) 79 citations
“An employee shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall.”
- 6
1926.1053(b)(6) 66 citations
“Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement.”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: every federal OSHA citation issued in FY2025 to a construction employer (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Washington Safety & Enforcement Profile
5,445
FY2025 construction citations
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Washington, FY2025: Roofing Contractors (348), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (312) and Residential Remodelers (255), out of 2,083 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Construction fatality rate in Washington, 2024: 6.3 per 100,000 full-time workers, 36th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 2.8).
- Washington's outdoor heat exposure rule (WAC 296-62-095 through 296-62-09560) applies to all employers with employees performing work in an outdoor environment. It has been in force since July 5, 2008, and was last amended effective July 17, 2023. (WAC 296-62-09510 (WSR 08-12-109; WSR 23-14-042))
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. 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 Washington
Which Washington construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Washington in FY2025 were Roofing Contractors (348), New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (312) and Residential Remodelers (255), out of 2,083 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH) issued 5,445 construction citations across 1,487 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against WAC 296-876 (use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040), Washington's own rule on this subject.
How often is Ladders (Construction) cited on Washington jobsites?
In FY2025, Washington's state plan (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I DOSH)) issued 5,445 construction citations across 1,487 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Ladders (Construction) can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Washington's fatality figures are shown above.
Who enforces ladder rules on Washington construction sites?
WISHA, Washington's OSHA-approved State Plan, enforced by L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), not federal OSHA. Washington enforces ladder safety under Chapter 296-876 WAC rather than the federal 1926.1053.
Which rule does WISHA cite for ladders?
WISHA cites ladder violations under WAC 296-876, with the use rules at 296-876-40025 and 296-876-40040.
Can I get free OSHA help in Washington without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Washington is Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Washington Department of Labor & Industries). 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.
Ladders (Construction) Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
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 A10.13-1989North Carolina29 CFR 1926.1053 as incorporated by 13 NCAC 07F .0201Oregon29 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 max
Other OSHA Standards in Washington
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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