Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(1): Where portable ladders were used for access to an upper landing surface and the ladder's length allows, the ladder side rails did not extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface being accessed. The employer routinely fails to ensure effective protections against falls as required by the standard, as demonstrated on September 14, 2022, when employees were utilizing a ladder at a jobsite located at 31 Captain Bannon Circle in Merrimack, NH that was not extended at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface and exposed to falls of between approximately 9 and 20 feet. a. Jobsite - On or about September 14, 2022, the aluminum extension ladder being used by employees for access to the roof at the front of the house was not extended at least 3 feet above the landing surface, exposing the employees to a fall of approximately 9 feet to the porch roof and approximately 20 feet to the ground below. b. Jobsite - On or about September 14, 2022, the aluminum extension ladder set up on the front of the garage did not extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface where it was resting on the facia board. c. Jobsite - On or about September 14, 2022, the aluminum extension ladder set up on the back of the garage did not extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface where it was resting on the facia board. d. Jobsite - On or about September 14, 2022, the aluminum extension ladder set up on the left side of the house on the gable did not extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface. The employer routinely fails to ensure effective protections against falls as required by the standard, as demonstrated on September 14, 2022, when employees were utilizing a ladder at a jobsite located at 31 Captain Bannon Circle in Merrimack, NH that was not extended at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface and exposed to falls of between approximately 9 and 20 feet. To abate this violation, the employer must ensure that all ladders used by employees for access to an upper level are extended at least 3 feet above that upper level. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, the employer must submit documents describing the steps it is taking to ensure compliance, including an explanation of how these steps protect employees from fall hazards when using ladders. Ridge Runner Construction, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1230187, citation number 1, item number 4 and was affirmed as a final order on June 8, 2018, with respect to a workplace located at 131 Lynnfield St. in Peabody, MA.