Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 005 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): When portable ladders were used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails did not 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 was not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder was not secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grab rail, was not provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder: The employer is failing to protect employees from fall hazards associated with access and egress from a trench. This was most recently documented on October 14, 2021, at the residential construction site located at the corner of SW Valley Drive and SW Meadowood Drive, Grain Valley, Missouri. Employees were exposed to fall hazards in that the portable ladder used for access/egress of the trench did not extend 3 feet above the top of the trench.