OSHA Stairways & Ladders Quiz — 29 CFR 1926.1050-1060 Practice Questions — Page 1 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.
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Q1/ 40
A painter is setting up a 32-foot extension ladder to access a roof eave at 24 feet. The ladder is set at an angle where the base is 4 feet from the wall. The painter claims this is correct. Under 1926.1053(b)(5)(i), what is the required setup?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(5)(i): 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 working length of the ladder (4:1 ratio). At 24 feet working height, the base should be 24 ÷ 4 = 6 feet from the wall. At 4 feet, the ladder is too steep — the center of gravity shifts rearward, increasing the risk of the base sliding out and the ladder falling backward with the worker on it.
Q2/ 40
An electrician is using an 8-foot A-frame stepladder to access a junction box at 10 feet. The electrician stands on the top cap (the very top platform labeled 'THIS IS NOT A STEP') because the box is slightly out of reach from the highest rung. Is this compliant?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(13): the top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step. The manufacturer's label 'THIS IS NOT A STEP' makes this an OSHA requirement AND a manufacturer instruction violation. Standing on the top cap eliminates the upper body support that helps maintain balance — the worker has nothing to lean against or hold. The correct solution is a taller ladder (10-foot stepladder) that positions the work at a comfortable height from a proper rung.
Q3/ 40
A worker is carrying an 8-foot fiberglass stepladder through a doorway. The ladder is folded but still tall enough to contact the top of the door frame. The worker tilts the ladder to clear the frame and continues. Two hours later, the worker uses the same ladder and notices a crack in the top rail near the hinge. What does OSHA require?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(16): ladders with structural defects, such as broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, or other faulty or defective components, shall be immediately removed from service and tagged as 'Dangerous — Do Not Use' or destroyed. Fiberglass ladders can develop cracks from impact (hitting the door frame) that compromise structural integrity. Duct tape (C) is not a repair. Field repairs are not permitted — only manufacturer-approved repairs or replacement.
Q4/ 40
A 40-foot aluminum extension ladder is being used to access a 32-foot-high roof. The ladder extends 2 feet above the roof landing. Is this compliant with 1926.1053(b)(1)?
✅ 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 (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access. At 2 feet, the worker transitioning from the ladder to the roof doesn't have a handhold at the critical moment when their center of gravity shifts. If the 3-foot extension is not feasible (e.g., gutter interferes), an adequate grab rail must be securely attached. The ladder must also be secured at the top (1926.1053(b)(6)).
Q5/ 40
A construction site has a temporary stairway to access the second floor. The stairway has 10 risers. The rise of each step is 8 inches and the tread run is 9 inches. Workers complain the stairs feel 'too steep.' Are these stairs compliant with 1926.1052(a)?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1052(a)(2): temporary stairways shall have a maximum riser height of 8.25 inches. At 8 inches, the rise is compliant. However, 1926.1052(a)(3): tread depth shall be determined by the formula 2R + T = 24 to 25 inches. 2(8) + 9 = 25 inches — this IS within the acceptable range. So the stairs are actually compliant. The workers' complaint about 'too steep' reflects a preference, not a violation. If the rise were 8.25 and tread 8 inches, it would still be: 2(8.25) + 8 = 24.5 — still within range. The standard allows a range of stair angles.
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Q6/ 40
During construction of a 3-story building, stair rails have not yet been installed on a concrete stairway between the first and second floors. The stairway has 15 risers. Workers use these stairs daily. What does 1926.1052(c)(1) require?
✅ Correct Answer: A
1926.1052(c)(1): stairways having less than 4 risers need no stair rail or handrail. Stairways with 4 or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches, must have at least one handrail. 1926.1052(c)(1)(ii)-(iii): stairways 30+ inches wide need handrails on each side (if less than 44 inches) or handrails on each side + a middle stair rail (if 44+ inches or more). The concrete stairway without handrails exposes workers daily to a fall hazard.
Q7/ 40
On a jobsite, a worker is repairing a light fixture at 11 feet using a metal (aluminum) stepladder. The area is an electrical room with 480V panels on the walls. The worker's ladder is within 3 feet of an exposed energized bus bar. What does OSHA require regarding this ladder selection and placement?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(12): ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment. Aluminum ladders are conductive — if the ladder tips and contacts a 480V bus bar, current passes through the ladder and the worker to ground. Rubber feet (C) protect against slipping, not electrical isolation. Rubber-soled shoes (D) are not a recognized substitute for a non-conductive ladder. The minimum approach distance for 480V is also relevant — 1926.1408 Table A gives 10 feet for lines, but for interior work, the general requirement is that the worker must not be able to contact the energized part.
Q8/ 40
A ladder is placed against a freshly painted exterior wall. The ladder has no slip-resistant feet (worn smooth). The surface is smooth and painted. A worker climbs the ladder, the base slips out, and the worker falls. What does 1926.1053(b)(6) require for ladder stability?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(6): ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement. 1926.1053(b)(7): ladders shall not be used on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental displacement. Smooth, worn ladder feet on a freshly painted smooth wall surface combine two slick surfaces — the base slipping out is a predictable and preventable outcome. The ladder should have been secured (tied off at the base, staked, or footed by a coworker) or feet replaced before use.
Q9/ 40
A carpenter builds a temporary job-made ladder to access a 12-foot high work platform. The ladder uses 2×4 side rails and 2×4 rungs, nailed together. The ladder leans against the platform but is not secured at the top or bottom. Workers use it all week. What multiple violations exist?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(a)(19): job-made ladders shall be constructed in accordance with 1926 Subpart X Appendix A (non-mandatory guidelines). Key requirements: rungs must be spaced 10-14 inches apart on center, uniform throughout; minimum design live load of 250 lbs (single ladder) or 200 lbs per person (two-section); rungs must extend into side rails (dado or mortised), not simply face-nailed; non-self-supporting ladders must be secured at the top and bottom. 2×4 rungs that are simply nailed to the outside of 2×4 side rails will pull out under load — dado joints or through-bolt connections are required.
Q10/ 40
At the end of the workday, a 28-foot extension ladder is left leaning against a building, unsecured. The ladder is in an area accessible to the public (adjacent to a sidewalk). Overnight, a teenager climbs the ladder and is injured in a fall. What is the OSHA implication for the contractor?
✅ Correct Answer: B
1926.1053(b)(17): when a ladder is left unattended, it must be secured or barricaded to prevent accidental displacement and unauthorized use. An unsecured 28-foot ladder left leaning against a building overnight is an invitation to unauthorized access (an 'attractive nuisance' in tort law terms). While OSHA primarily regulates employee safety, the standard specifically addresses unattended ladders. Contractors have been cited after similar incidents where members of the public were injured. The ladder should have been laid down, locked up, or barricaded at the end of the shift.