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Fixed ladder protection on communication towers

Summary A communications equipment company asked about fixed ladders on towers. OSHA said an unbroken tower ladder over 20 feet required a ladder safety device or a cage with landing platforms under its then-current rule. OSHA archives the letter.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1981-02-20
Date issued
February 20, 1981
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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Communication Towers Fall Protection
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

February 20, 1981

Mr. Thomas W. Schepke
Engineering Department
Management Division of Unarco
Industries, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Mr. Schepke:

This is in response to your recent letter concerning OSHA requirements on fixed ladders relating to communication towers.

Communication towers equipped with fixed ladders, over 20 feet in unbroken length, are required to be protected by a ladder safety device or cage and landing platforms as indicated in 29 CFR 1910.27(d).

If we may be of further assistance, please call or write.

Sincerely,

John K. Barto
Chief, Division of
Occupational Safety Programming

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