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Fixed-ladder cage height at side exits

Summary A steel contractor asked about the required height of a fixed-ladder cage at a lateral exit. OSHA said the regulation required 42 inches above the landing unless other acceptable protection was provided, and the 48-inch height shown in a figure should be disregarded. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1978-05-03
Date issued
May 3, 1978
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Fixed Ladders Ladder Cages
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

May 3, 1978

Mr. J. S. Jeter, P.E.
Brown Steel Contractors, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Jeter:

This is in response to your letter dated April 19, 1978, concerning 29 CFR 1910.27(d)(1)(iii).

The above mentioned standard requires cages installed on fixed ladders for providing access laterally from ladders to extend a minimum of 42 inches above the top of landing, unless other acceptable protection is provided. The height requirement of 48 inches indicated in Figure D-8 should be disregarded for cages.

If I may be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

John K. Barto, Chief
Division of Occupational
Safety Programming

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