OSHA Stairways & Ladders Quiz — 29 CFR 1926.1050-1060 Practice Questions — Page 3 of 4
Free OSHA 30-Hour Construction stairways and ladders practice test with 40 realistic scenarios. Extension ladders, stepladders, fixed ladders, stair rail requirements, job-made ladders, training, and inspection with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X references. (Page 3 of 4)
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Q21/ 40
A worker using a 10-foot stepladder needs to reach a light fixture 12 feet high. The worker opens the stepladder fully, locks the spreaders, but sets it up on uneven ground — one leg is 1 inch higher than the others, causing a slight wobble. The worker stands on the second-from-top step and leans sideways to reach the fixture. What's wrong?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(5): ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured. A 1-inch leg height difference on a 10-foot ladder creates significant instability. 1926.1053(b)(13): the 'belt buckle rule' — the worker's belt buckle must remain between the side rails; leaning outside the rails can cause the ladder to tip. The root cause: the ladder is too short for the task. A 14-foot stepladder or an extension ladder would allow the worker to work at a comfortable height and avoid overreaching. The wobble should be corrected with leg levelers (if the ladder has them) or by leveling the ground underneath.
Q22/ 40
A stairway under construction has a concrete stair rail on one side (permanent, formed in place) and an open side on the other. The open side drops 14 feet to the floor below. A single 2×4 is nailed across the opening at 36 inches height as a temporary guard. Workers use the stairway daily. Is this adequate?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1052(c)(1)(i): stair rail systems shall be not less than 36 inches from the upper surface of the stair rail to the stair tread. 1926.1052(c)(2): they shall be capable of withstanding 200 lbs of force. A single nailed 2×4 does not meet the structural requirement — it can split at the nails and pull loose under load. Additionally, the midrail is required: 1926.1052(c)(3): a midrail shall be provided halfway between the stair rail and the stair tread. The open side requires a proper stair rail system (top rail + midrail) with secure connections to structural members, not just nails into framing.
Q23/ 40
A worker needs a special-purpose ladder for accessing a 14-foot high industrial platform with limited space. The employer buys a ladder rated Type III (200 lbs). The worker plus tools weighs 210 lbs. The worker says 'it's only 10 lbs over — it'll hold.' Is this ladder appropriate?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(a)(1): the employer shall ensure ladders are used in accordance with their listing and labeling. ANSI A14 ladder duty ratings: Type III = 200 lbs (light household), Type II = 225 lbs (medium commercial), Type I = 250 lbs (heavy industrial), Type IA = 300 lbs (extra heavy), Type IAA = 375 lbs (special duty). For construction, the minimum accepted is usually Type I (250 lbs) to account for tools, materials, and dynamic loading. A 210-lb worker on a 200-lb rated ladder exceeds the design load. While there is a safety factor (typically 4:1), exceeding the duty rating means the safety factor is being consumed and the ladder may fail after repeated loading.
Q24/ 40
A worker using a 6-foot stepladder as a work platform needs to work in a different position every few minutes. Instead of climbing down and moving the ladder, the worker stays on the ladder and 'hops' it sideways by shifting their weight. The ladder scoots about 2 feet at a time. Is this acceptable?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(17): ladders shall not be moved, shifted, or extended while occupied. Hopping/scooting a stepladder is dangerous: (1) the ladder's feet can catch on surface irregularities, (2) the ladder can tip when it drops off a small edge, (3) the worker's weight shifting changes the center of gravity unpredictably. The safe practice: climb down, move the ladder, verify stability and locked spreaders, then climb back up. Yes, it takes more time — it also prevents life-altering falls. If the worker needs to move frequently, a mobile scaffold or scissor lift may be more appropriate.
Q25/ 40
A fixed ladder on a building provides roof access. The ladder rungs are round steel bars, 3/4-inch diameter. The rungs are rusted — some have lost up to 20% of their original diameter from corrosion. The ladder is 30 feet tall with no cage or fall protection. Workers use it to access roof-mounted HVAC equipment monthly. Is this ladder safe?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(15): ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. Corrosion is a defect — it reduces rung cross-sectional area. A rung with 20% diameter loss has lost approximately 36% of its bending strength (strength ∝ d³). Multiple rungs in this condition make the ladder unsafe. The ladder also needs fall protection per 1910.28(b)(9) based on installation date. The rungs must be replaced or the entire ladder replaced. Paint does not restore lost steel — it only hides the corrosion.
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Q26/ 40
A job-made ladder is constructed on site from 2×4 lumber. The side rails are 16 feet long, and cleats are nailed to the narrow face of the rails. The ladder will be used for daily access to a 12-foot-high work platform. Is this ladder compliant?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.450(b) defines a job-made ladder and incorporates 1926 Subpart X Appendix A, which provides construction specifications. Cleats (rungs) must be attached to the wide face of the side rails — not the narrow edge — because the wide face provides the mechanical bearing surface for fasteners. 2×4 side rails are permitted only up to specified lengths. 1926.1053(a)(19) also requires that job-made ladders be inspected for defects. For daily access to a 12-foot platform, a manufactured extension ladder or a fixed stairway under 1926.1052 would be the more appropriate and compliant permanent access solution.
Q27/ 40
An extension ladder is set up to access a roof with a 3-foot parapet. The ladder extends 2 feet above the roof edge. The ladder is placed at a 4:1 angle (base 3 feet from wall for a 12-foot vertical rise). A worker must step over the parapet to transition from the ladder to the roof. Is this setup correct?
✅ Correct Answer: B
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.' The 3-foot minimum provides a handhold during the transition. At 2 feet, the worker must reach down to grip the ladder while stepping over the parapet — a moment of high fall risk. Additionally, 1926.1053(b)(5)(i) requires securing the ladder at the top to prevent displacement. The 4:1 angle is correct (1926.1053(b)(5)(i) specifies the ladder be set so the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot is approximately one-quarter of the working length).
Q28/ 40
A stepladder is set up on a freshly poured concrete slab that has a 2% slope for drainage. The worker places a 2×4 block under one leg to level the ladder, then climbs to the top step to reach a junction box at 10 feet. Which violation(s) exist?
✅ Correct Answer: C
1926.1053(b)(13): 'The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step.' 1926.1053(b)(4): 'Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.' 1926.1053(b)(6): 'Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement.' Improvised leveling with blocks, bricks, or lumber is prohibited — only the manufacturer's leveling feet or a factory-designed leveling system may be used. The 2% slope creates horizontal displacement force that the block does not resist. The correct approach: use a taller stepladder (so worker can stay off the top step), or use a platform ladder, or level the slab area.
Q29/ 40
A stairway under construction in a 4-story building has temporary treads made from 2×10 planks spanning the stringers. The stairway has 16 risers with a rise of 7.5 inches each. There are no handrails yet because the permanent rails will be installed after drywall. Is this acceptable during construction?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1052(c)(1): 'Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches, whichever is less, shall be equipped with: (i) At least one handrail; and (ii) one stairrail system along each unprotected side or edge.' 16 risers × 7.5 inches = 120 inches total rise — well beyond the 30-inch threshold. The temporary handrail requirement applies during construction, not just in the finished condition. 1926.1052(c)(3) specifically requires stairrails and handrails to be in place during construction — not deferred until finishing. Falls on stairs are among the most common construction injuries.
Q30/ 40
A worker is using a 24-foot aluminum extension ladder near energized 480-volt overhead power lines. The nearest conductor is 8 feet horizontally from where the ladder will be placed. The worker plans to set up the ladder parallel to the power lines (not touching them) to access a sign. Is this compliant?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(12): 'Ladders shall not be used in a manner that could cause a hazardous electrical contact.' 1926.951(c)(1): 'Conductive tools and materials shall not be used in proximity to energized lines.' Aluminum ladders are excellent conductors. Even if placed parallel to lines, a slip, wind gust, or misjudged carrying position can cause contact. 1926.1053(b)(15) specifically requires that ladders have nonconductive side rails when used where the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment. The minimum approach distance for unqualified persons to 480V lines is 10 feet per 1926.1408 and 1926.416 — the 8-foot distance already violates this.