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Vertical ladders

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Vertical ladders have specific safety requirements to prevent falls and ensure worker safety. These requirements cover fall protection, cage specifications, and adherence to OSHA regulations.

OSHA mandates that fixed ladders with a climb length of 24 feet or more must be equipped with one of the following:

  • Ladder safety devices
  • Self-retracting lifelines with rest platforms at intervals not exceeding 150 feet
  • A cage or well, with ladder sections not exceeding 50 feet in length and landing platforms at maximum intervals of 50 feet

[1] Cages for fixed ladders must conform to the following:

  • Horizontal bands fastened to the side rails of rail ladders or directly to the structure for individual-rung ladders
  • Vertical bars on the inside of the horizontal bands, fastened to them
  • Cages extending not less than 27 inches (68 cm) or more than 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung, and not less than 27 inches (68 cm) in width
  • The inside of the cage clear of projections

[1] Additionally, the side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders must extend 42 inches above the top of the access level or landing platform. [2]

For through-fixed-ladder extensions, steps or rungs should be omitted from the extension, and the side rails should flare to provide a clearance between 24 and 30 inches. If ladder safety devices are present, the maximum clearance between side rails can be up to 36 inches. [2]

2 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA 29 CFR 1926) - 1926.1053 - Ladders

Page 8

Open source document

Source excerpt

# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.1053(a)(20)( (viii) (cont.) The side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders shall extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder. For a parapet ladder, the access level shall be the roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage through the parapet; if the parapet is continuous, the access level shall be the top of the parapet. ## 1926.1053(a)(25) For through-fixed-ladder extensions, the steps or rungs shall be omitted from the extension and the extension of the side rails shall be flared to provide not less than 24 inches (61 cm) nor more than 30 inches (76 cm) clearance between side rails. Where ladder safety devices are provided, the maximum clearance between side rails of the extensions shall not exceed 36 inches (91 cm). ## 1926.1053(a)(26) For side-step fixed ladders, the side rails and the steps or rungs shall be continuous in the extension. ## 1926.1053(a)(27) Individual-rung/step ladders, except those used where their access openings are covered with manhole covers or hatches, shall extend at least 42 inches (1.1 m) above an access level or landing platform either by the continuation of the rung spacings as horizontal grab bars or by providing vertical grab bars that shall have the same lateral spacing as the vertical legs of the rungs. ## 1926.1053(b) Use. The following requirements apply to the use of all ladders, including job-made ladders, except as otherwise indicated: ## 1926.1053(b)(1) When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employ…

[2] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA 29 CFR 1926) - 1926.1053 - Ladders

Page 5

Open source document

Source excerpt

# Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cont.) ## 1926.1053(a)(18) Fixed ladders shall be provided with cages, wells, ladder safety devices, or self-retracting lifelines where the length of climb is less than 24 feet (7.3 m) but the top of the ladder is at a distance greater than 24 feet (7.3 m) above lower levels. 1926.1053(a)(19) 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: ## 1926.1053(a)(19)(i). Ladder safety devices; or 1926.1053(a)(19).(ii) Self-retracting lifelines, and rest platforms at intervals not to exceed 150 feet (45.7 m); or ## 1926.1053(a)(19).(ii). A cage or well, and multiple ladder sections, each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet (15.2 m) in length. Ladder sections shall be offset from adjacent sections, and landing platforms shall be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet (15.2 m). 1926.1053(a)(20) Cages for fixed ladders shall conform to all of the following: 1926.1053(a)(20)(i) Horizontal bands shall be fastened to the side rails of rail ladders, or directly to the structure, building, or equipment for individual-rung ladders; 1926.1053(a)(20)(ii) Vertical bars shall be on the inside of the horizontal bands and shall be fastened to them; 1926.1053(a)(20)(iii) 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; 1926.1053(a)(20)(iv) The inside of the cage shall be clear of projections; 1926.1053(a)(20)(v) Submit Feedback

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