What topics are covered in the course?

Topics include types of ladders, components, weight capacity, stairway requirements, common hazards, safe setup procedures, inspection and maintenance, and competent person responsibilities.

Is eTraining's online Stairways & Ladders course valid and accepted?

Yes, the course covers OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X standards and is accepted nationwide.

Does my stairway and ladder training certificate expire?

There is no specific federal expiration date for stairway and ladder training certificates, though OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1060 requires retraining when workplace conditions change.

Introduction to Stairways & Ladders Course

Q: What is the difference between this course and the Ladder Safety Competent Person course?

The awareness-level program covers basic ladder safety, while the Ladder Safety Competent Person course is a more advanced program designed for supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities.

Q: Can I take this course on my phone?

Yes, the course works on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

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Course Information

Everything You Need to Know
About This Course

Course Details at a Glance

Key facts before you enroll.

Who Should Take This Course?

Find out if this training applies to you.

Industries That Require This Training

See which sectors depend on this training.

What's Included

Everything that comes with your enrollment.

Try It Free

5-minute interactive course preview.

Course Overview

Watch a 90-second overview of the Introduction to Stairways & Ladders — no login required.

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Try It Free — 5-Minute Interactive Preview

Experience the first 5 minutes of the course right here. No account or payment required.

Interactive Course Preview

5-minute preview of Module 1 — Introduction to Stairways & Ladders
No login or payment required

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What You Get When You Enroll

Everything included with your Introduction to Stairways & Ladders training.

✓Instant certificate of completionPrintable PDF, ready immediately after passing
✓Mobile-friendly platformTrain on desktop, tablet, or smartphone
✓Progress saved automaticallyStop and restart without losing your place
✓30-day satisfaction guaranteeFull refund if you're not satisfied

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Course Details at a Glance

Everything you need to know before enrolling in the Introduction to Stairways & Ladders.

Detail

Information

OSHA Standard

29 CFR 1926 Subpart X

Course Duration

1 hour

Format

100% online, fully narrated with photos and interactivity

Passing Score

70% on final exam

Certificate

Personalized certificate, printable immediately upon passing

Languages

English

Device Compatibility

Desktop, tablet, and smartphone

Accepted

Our courses meet federal standards, but state requirements may vary. Please verify before purchase.

Enroll Now — $29.00

Who Should Take the Introduction to Stairways & Ladders?

Find out if this training applies to your role, your job site, or your employer's compliance requirements, and whether it matches the certification you need.

✓Construction laborers and general workers who use ladders on job sites
✓Carpenters, painters, and electricians who work at heights
✓Roofers and siding installers
✓Maintenance and facility workers who use ladders for building upkeep
✓HVAC technicians working on rooftop or elevated equipment
✓Telecommunication and cable installation workers
✓Warehouse workers who use ladders for stock retrieval
✓New construction workers learning basic ladder and stairway safety
✓Any worker who uses stairways or ladders as part of their job duties
✓Safety officers responsible for fall protection and ladder compliance

Enroll Now — $29.00

Industries That Require Introduction to Stairways & Ladders

Employers across a wide range of industries use this course to meet federal, state, and site-specific safety training requirements for their workforce.

✓Commercial and residential construction
✓Painting and decorating contractors
✓Electrical and plumbing contractors
✓Roofing and siding installation
✓HVAC installation and maintenance
✓Telecommunication and cable installation
✓Facility maintenance and building operations
✓Renovation and remodeling contractors
✓Government and municipal construction projects
✓Warehousing and distribution (elevated storage)

Enroll Now — $29.00

Why eTraining

Better Training.
Better Outcomes.

Over 50,000 workers trained. Here's what makes us the trusted choice for OSHA compliance.

OSHA Citation Printed on Every Certificate

Every certificate shows OSHA citation — so your employer and site safety officer can verify compliance at a glance.

No Setup. No LMS. Train in Minutes.

Pay once, get instant access — no account setup, no app downloads, no IT required. Works on any browser.

Built for Field Workers, Not Classrooms

Content is grounded in real hazardous waste site operations — not recycled classroom slides. Scenarios reflect the work your crew actually does.

Trusted by Safety Managers & Contractors

Used by EHS managers, general contractors, and federal site supervisors to keep crews certified on time, every year.

Instant PDF

Print-Ready

Shareable

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the Introduction to Stairways & Ladders.

The Introduction to Stairways & Ladders course is a construction safety training program that teaches workers how to recognize stairway and ladder hazards and work safely on and around them. eTraining’s course covers OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X (Sections 1926.1050 through 1926.1060), including types of ladders, ladder components, stairway requirements, common hazards, safe use and setup, inspection and maintenance, the competent person’s role, and OSHA training requirements. Upon completion, participants receive a printable certificate of completion.

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1060 requires employers to provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways in construction work. Training must cover the nature of fall hazards in the work area, the correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling fall protection systems, the proper construction, use, placement, and care of all stairways and ladders, and the maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders. Retraining is required when workplace conditions or equipment change.

The course takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Because it is self-paced, you can complete it in a single session or over multiple sessions at your convenience. You have 6 months from your enrollment date to complete all coursework. Progress is saved automatically on the same device, so you can stop and resume at any time.

The Introduction to Stairways & Ladders course is an awareness-level program covering basic ladder and stairway safety for all workers who use them. The Ladder Safety Competent Person course is a more advanced program designed for supervisors and workers with safety responsibilities, covering the duties and responsibilities of the competent person as defined by OSHA, including the ability to identify existing and predictable hazards and the authority to take prompt corrective measures.

The course covers: types of ladders (stepladders, extension ladders, fixed ladders, portable ladders, job-made ladders); ladder components and weight capacity ratings; stairway requirements for construction sites (temporary stairs, handrails, stair rails); common ladder and stairway hazards (improper setup, overloading, damaged equipment, slippery surfaces); safe ladder setup and use procedures (4-to-1 rule, three points of contact); inspection and maintenance requirements; the competent person’s role in ladder and stairway safety; and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X training requirements.

You must score at least 70% on the final exam to pass and receive your certificate of completion. The course includes knowledge-check quizzes that do not count toward your final grade but help prepare you for the exam. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam.

Yes. eTraining’s Introduction to Stairways & Ladders course covers OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X standards for stairway and ladder safety in construction and is accepted nationwide. You receive a printable certificate of completion that documents your training. Employers and general contractors across all 50 U.S. states accept this training for construction ladder safety compliance.

Yes. The course works on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Your progress is saved automatically on the same device you are using, allowing you to pause and pick up where you left off. Note: you must continue on the same device to retain your saved progress.

The 4-to-1 rule (also called the 1-in-4 rule) states that for every 4 feet of ladder height, the base of the ladder should be placed 1 foot away from the wall or support structure. For example, if a ladder reaches 16 feet high, its base should be 4 feet out from the wall. This angle provides the most stable position and reduces the risk of the ladder sliding or tipping. This rule applies to straight and extension ladders, not stepladders.

There is no specific federal expiration date for stairway and ladder training certificates. However, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1060 requires retraining when workplace conditions change, when different types of stairways or ladders are introduced, or when an employee demonstrates inadequate knowledge of safe stairway and ladder use. Refresher training is recommended to maintain current safety knowledge.