OSHA Safety Resources
The best place to start is directly on OSHA’s official website, which provides guidance for both employers and workers.
Scaffolding — 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L
Legal requirements
OSHA’s Subpart L outlines the legal requirements for scaffold design, use, and safety — including load capacities, platform construction, guardrail systems, and fall protection.
Competent person requirement
All scaffolding must be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered under the supervision of a competent person — someone capable of identifying hazards with authority to take corrective action.
Safety topic pages
OSHA offers scaffolding safety topic pages with easier-to-understand summaries of the rules and hazard recognition tips. They cover common risks such as falls, falling objects, and structural instability.
Publications & fact sheets
Guides that break down safety requirements into practical steps for training and everyday reference on job sites. Workers can better understand how to safely access scaffolds, use guardrails, and maintain stable platforms.
QuickCards and training materials are also available in simple, visual formats — perfect for toolbox talks or quick reminders before starting work. By using these resources and ensuring scaffolding is always supervised by a competent person, workplaces can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
Fall Protection — 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M
Fall Protection topic page
OSHA’s fall protection page gathers standards, hazard recognition tips, and prevention strategies in one place. Fall protection is required at heights of 6 feet or more in construction, covering guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems.
OSHA Standards
Read the actual regulations under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M (Construction) and 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry) for detailed legal requirements on equipment use, training, and employer responsibilities.
eTools & training
The Fall Protection eTool walks users through common workplace scenarios, showing how to identify hazards and choose proper protection methods. Fact sheets, quick cards, and videos summarize key safety practices.
Training Institute (OTI)
OSHA’s authorized education centers offer formal courses on fall protection for workers, supervisors, and safety professionals. Downloadable PDFs like “Fall Protection in Construction” are also available for job-site reference.
Portable Ladders — 29 CFR 1910.23 & 1926.1053
General industry & construction standards
Portable ladder rules for general industry are under 29 CFR 1910.23; construction-specific requirements under 29 CFR 1926.1053. These cover ladder strength, rung spacing, and proper use.
Ladder safety publications
Downloadable fact sheets and guides explain safe practices for step ladders and extension ladders. OSHA provides updated sheets like “Safe Use of Stepladders” and “Safe Use of Extension Ladders.”
QuickCards & safety tips
Short, easy-to-read documents highlight key practices: maintaining three points of contact, inspecting ladders before use, and ensuring ladders are placed on stable surfaces. Useful for on-the-job guidance.
Training & hazard awareness
Employers are responsible for teaching workers how to properly select, inspect, and use ladders, and how to recognize hazards like unstable ground or electrical risks. Training materials are available through OSHA’s outreach programs.
Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Proper ladder selection, inspection, and use — combined with employer-led training — can dramatically reduce risk on any job site.
