Miles, Jr., Director All ladder stand platforms with a platform height above 10 feet (3 m) have guardrails and toeboards on the exposed sides and ends of the platform. Stepstools have a minimum clear width of 10.5 inches (26.7 cm); Wooden ladders are not coated with any material that may obscure structural defects; Metal ladders are made with corrosion-resistant material or protected against corrosion; Ladder surfaces are free of puncture and laceration hazards; Ladders are used only for the purposes for which they were designed; Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury; Each employee faces the ladder when climbing up or down it; Each employee uses at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing up and down it; and. Also, inspect ladders for defects such as missing components, cracks, frayed ropes, corrosion or other problems . OSHA 1910.23(b) General Requirements for LaddersandOSHA 3124-12R 2003 Stairways and Ladders A Guide to OSHA Ruleshave several guidelines, standards, and best practices for all ladder equipment, related to: The biggest key to ladder safety is knowing how a ladder can be used safely and effectively. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Remember that ladder safety starts before a worker even steps foot on one. Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic, such as in passageways, doorways, or driveways, shall be secured to prevent accidental displacement, or a barricade shall be used to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder. Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, shall either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or be tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language, and shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. This can include self-supporting variants or ladders that must lean against a structure. Fixed ladders generally are permanently secured to equipment, buildings, and structures. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Two diagrams depicted. Where the total length of a climb equals or exceeds 24 feet (7.3 m), fixed ladders shall be equipped with one of the following: Self-retracting lifelines, and rest platforms at intervals not to exceed 150 feet (45.7 m); or. ANSI ASC A14.3-2008: American National Standards for Ladders Fixed Safety Requirements ANSI ASC A14.4-2009: American National Standard Safety Requirements for Job Made Wooden Ladders ANSI ASC A14.7-2011: Safety Requirements for Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms ANSI ASC A14.8-2013: Safety Requirements for Ladder Accessories ANSI ASC A14.9-2010: Safety Requirements for Disappearing Attic Stairways. Did you know that 20% of lost work-day and fatal workplace injuries are caused by ladder falls in general industry? OSHA also requires that if you make any adjustments, retrofits or extensions to a fixed access ladder currently considered compliant, you must ensure that a personal fall arrest or ladder safety system provides protection for the entire vertical distance of the ladder, including all ladder sections. OSHA Ladder Safety Guidelines 5 Ground Rules to Follow. The load in this standard refers to the entire eight comprised of all employee equipment, tools, and materials. For proper ladder safety training, ensure your employees follow extension guidelines for combination ladders, portable ladders, and fixed ladders that provide access to an elevated surface. Do not store portable ladders where they are exposed to rain, mist, steam, or other sources of moisture. Rungs, cleats, and steps of step stools shall be not less than 8 inches (20 cm) apart, nor more than 12 inches (31 cm) apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps. Ladders are often overlooked as a job site hazard because theyre so commonplace and used every day, or multiple times a day, by employees to perform their job. Cages for fixed ladders shall conform to all of the following: Horizontal bands shall be fastened to the side rails of rail ladders, or directly to the structure, building, or equipment for individual-rung ladders; Vertical bars shall be on the inside of the horizontal bands and shall be fastened to them; Cages shall extend not less than 27 inches (68 cm), or more than 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung (excluding the flare at the bottom of the cage), and shall not be less than 27 inches (68 cm) in width; The inside of the cage shall be clear of projections; Horizontal bands shall be spaced not more than 4 feet (1.2 m) on center vertically; Vertical bars shall be spaced at intervals not more than 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) on center horizontally; The bottom of the cage shall be at a level not less than 7 feet (2.1 m) nor more than 8 feet (2.4 m) above the point of access to the bottom of the ladder. Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used on mobile ladder stand platforms instead of handrails and guardrails in special-use applications. Such a determination would have to be made on a case-by-case basis, per inspection. Ladders shall be securely positioned on a level and firm base. This article attempts to cover some core ladder safety standards that can help keep your employees safe while avoidingOSHA fines and penalties. Ladders must support 4 times the intended load except for rugged use, extra-he Ladders shall not be used on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental displacement. Each step or rung shall be capable of supporting a single concentrated load of at least 250 pounds (114 kg) applied in the middle of the step or rung. Moisture can also contribute to metal fasteners and hardware eroding over time. This section applies to all portable ladders, including job-made ladders for temporary use, unless otherwise specified. Before using a ladder, make sure all locks are engaged securely and the steps are free of grease, oil and other slippery substances. While the victim was carrying the ladder upright to the van, the foreman and several co-workers verbally warned him about the overhead power line. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The area around the top and bottom of ladders shall be kept clear. 1926.1053(b)(15) Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects periodically and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. This involves using test loads on the rungs and side rails to determine how much weight they can support. Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways, or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement. When unavoidable obstructions are encountered, the minimum clearance at the obstruction may be reduced to 24 inches (61 cm), provided deflector plates are installed (see Figure D-5 of this section). Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement. Mobile ladder stands and mobile ladder stand platforms -. For greater heights, outriggers, counterweights, or comparable means that stabilize the mobile ladder stands and platforms and prevent overturning must be used; Mobile ladder stands and platforms that have wheels or casters are equipped with a system to impede horizontal movement when an employee is on the stand or platform; and. When a fixed ladder terminates at a hatch (see Figure D-3 of this section), the hatch cover: Opens with sufficient clearance to provide easy access to or from the ladder; and. Width between rails shall increase at least inch (0.64 cm) for each additional 2 feet (0.61 m) of ladder length. Avoid using a metal ladder near . Rungs shall be continuous members between rails. Wells for fixed ladders shall conform to all of the following: They shall completely encircle the ladder; Their inside face on the climbing side of the ladder shall extend not less than 27 inches (68 cm) nor more than 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung; The inside clear width shall be at least 30 inches (76 cm); The bottom of the wall on the access side shall start at a level not less than 7 feet (2.1 m) nor more than 8 feet (2.4 m) above the point of access to the bottom of the ladder. Here are some OSHA requirements for using portable ladders: Training The employer must provide information and training to each employee prior to exposure to hazards and in a, Read More Training & Retraining Requirements For The Hazards Associated With FallsContinue, Ladders often get a bad name. When splicing is required to obtain a given length of side rail, the resulting side rail must be at least equivalent in strength to a one-piece side rail made of the same material. Your email address will not be published. Non-self-supporting and self-supporting portable ladders must support at least four times the maximum intended load; extra heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic ladders must sustain 3.3 times the maximum intended load. Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats are spaced not less than 10 and not more than 14 apartmeasured between the centerlines of the rungs, cleats, and steps, except: Ladder rungs and steps in elevator shafts must be spaces not less than 6 apart and not more than 16.5 apartmeasured along the side rails, Fixed ladder rungs and steps on telecommunication towers must be spaced no more than 18 apartmeasured between the centerlines of the rungs or steps, Steps on stepstools are spaced not less than 8 apart and not more than 12 apartmeasured between the centerlines of the steps. Required fields are marked *. Requirements for employee training on portable ladder safety Links to Cal/OSHA and other resources on ladder safety Portable ladders are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in industry. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you opt in above we use this information to send related content, discounts and other special offers. Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. Despite its popularity among ladder users, metal cannot be used for all processes that need to reach reasonable heights. Slide-Step Fixed Ladder Sections. 1 week ago Use one! [Reply #3 (Construction):] There is no requirement for fall protection on scaffold ladders under the construction standard. The rung spacing on the extension section of the extension trestle ladder shall be not less than 6 inches (15 cm) nor more than 12 inches (31 cm), as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps. ANSI ASC A14.2-2017 provides recommendations for the spacing between rungs, angle of inclination, and the correct workmanship for the bolts, rivets, and welds that are holding the pieces of the ladder together. Steps of mobile ladder stand platforms meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section. You must place your ladder against the building in order to maximize the ladder's strength and stability using OSHA's height and pitch requirements for placing portable ladders. OSHA Rolling Ladder Requirements - 1910.23 (e) OSHA Number. The employer must ensure: Ladders are not loaded beyond the maximum intended load; Note to paragraph (c)(3): These are some examples of topics that might be covered in a ladder or stairway training: OSHA does require employers to retrain each employee as necessary to maintain their understanding and knowledge on the safe use and construction of ladders and stairs. Ladders built and tested in conformance with the applicable provisions of appendix A of this subpart will be deemed to meet this requirement. 1926.1053 (b) (2) - Ladders shall be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards. The design and installation of mountings and cable guides shall not reduce the design strength of the ladder. Accidents from portable ladders are very common. Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used instead of handrails in special-use applications; Design requirements for mobile ladder stands. Extension ladders shall comply with 3276. When a ladder safety system is provided, the maximum clearance between side rails of the extension must not exceed 36 inches (91 cm); For side-step ladders, the side rails, rungs, and steps must be continuous in the extension (see Figure D-2 of this section); Grab bars extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the access level or landing platforms served by the ladder; The minimum size (cross-section) of grab bars is the same size as the rungs of the ladder. John B. Ladder steps need to be seven inches from the object theyre mounted to, and grab bars must extend three and a half feet above the above surface to which they lead. Employers must train all their employees so theyre able to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways and instruct them on how to minimize these hazards. If you're in charge of your company's safety and compliance or oversee the maintenance of your company's facilities and equipment, then you should be familiar with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.123 Ladder Regulations as they pertain to the general requirements for all ladders, as well as specifics for Portable, Fixed, and Mobile Ladder Stands. ANSI ASC A14.7-2011: Safety Requirements for Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms ANSI ASC A14.8-2013: Safety Requirements for Ladder Accessories ANSI ASC A14.9-2010: Safety Requirements for Disappearing Attic Stairways. The requirements and best practices on each of the elements are given in the respective pages. The ANSI standard A14.2-1990 defines a portable ladder as "a ladder that can readily be moved or carried, usually consisting of side rails joined at intervals by step, rungs, cleats, or rear braces.". The ability of a ladder to sustain the loads indicated in this paragraph shall be determined by applying or transmitting the requisite load to the ladder in a downward vertical direction when the ladder is placed at an angle of 75 1/2 degrees from the horizontal. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
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