Jenkins Academy of Applied Technology

Stairways and Ladders — Safe Use and Work Practices

No ratings yet

Learn OSHA stairway and ladder requirements for construction and general industry: access, inspection, placement, safe climbing, fixed-ladder protection and stair rails. Twelve audible lessons with practice and a final quiz. Allow about 50–65 minutes; workplace equipment training and skills remain separate.

SL-001 · School of Occupational Safety · General Occupational Safety

Open for enrollment · Free with sign-up · Noncredit. 12 lessons and a 24-question final knowledge assessment.

For: Workers using stairways and ladders

Open course classroom →

The outline and resources are public. Sign in, enable free Academy course access and choose your study pace in My Learning to save your learning progress. Learning and practice are free; the optional assessment/certificate offer is described below.

What you will study

Choose a safe route between levels
Select the right ladder and load limit
Inspect and remove defective equipment
Set up portable ladders for stable access
Climb and work without losing balance
Use stepladders and mobile ladder stands
Check fixed-ladder access and clearance
Match fixed-ladder fall protection to the rule
Use construction stairways safely
Recognize general-industry stair requirements
Distinguish handrails from stair rails
Complete workplace training and keep skills current

Assessment and completion

Complete the lessons in order and correctly answer every practice check. Practice is unlimited. Pass the final with at least 80% overall and every critical decision correct. Three final attempts are available per set, using alternating assessment forms and targeted lesson review after an unsuccessful attempt. An assessment attempt counts only when the server confirms it.

After passing, submit a 1–5 star rating to finish the course. Every rating is accepted equally; written feedback is optional. Your account retains the online knowledge completion, and you can download a knowledge record. This course does not issue an OSHA Outreach card or a professional or occupational certification.

Employer workplace component

This online knowledge component does not qualify a ladder installer, designate a competent person or authorize fall-system use or rescue. The employer must identify the applicable rules, provide actual equipment and task training, verify safe performance and implement inspection, access and protective arrangements.

The employer determines applicability and provides instruction in language and vocabulary the employee understands. Where the standard requires interaction with a knowledgeable or qualified trainer, arrange appropriate access through the employer. Academy support is asynchronous and has no guaranteed response time. Use the employer’s designated route for urgent safety decisions and required timely trainer access.

Online completion alone does not establish workplace compliance, operator qualification, competent-person status or permission to perform a hazardous task. Keep employer verification and any medical information in the employer’s appropriate records.

Meet the Course Developer →

Learning resources

Version 1.0.0. Federal source review: 2026-10-22. The regulatory crosswalk identifies the course scope and primary sources; state-plan and employer requirements may add obligations.

Assessment and retake policy · Registration and record policy

Start or continue this course →

All General Occupational Safety courses →

Course developed by Todd Jerome Jenkins, MS, CSP