You can reduce the hazards by using the best practices in these resources. or OSHA Training Course. Types of Ladders. When unavoidable obstructions are encountered, the minimum perpendicular clearance between the centerline of fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps, and the obstruction on the climbing side of the ladder may be reduced to 24 inches (61 cm), provided that a deflection device is installed to guide employees around the obstruction. 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. Ladders shall not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections unless they are specifically designed for such use. Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. Ladder Safety. From 2017-2019, Ladders were #6 on OSHA’s Top 10 Most Cited Violations List . Fixed ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, or corroded components, shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. Often, these injuries are so severe they require time away from work. The rungs and steps of portable metal ladders shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping. Wood job-made ladders with spliced side rails shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance is one-eighth the working length of the ladder. During the Quiz End of Quiz. Shopping. The minimum perpendicular clearance between fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps, and any obstruction behind the ladder shall be 7 inches (18 cm), except in the case of an elevator pit ladder, for which a minimum perpendicular clearance of 4 1/2 inches (11 cm) is required. Settings. 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. 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. 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. The OSHA standard for ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053) describes the safety requirements for working with and maintaining different kinds of fixed and portable ladders. Injuries and fatalities associated with working on and around portable and fixed ladders are a major workplace safety problem. Info. For example, rule 1926.1053(a)(3)(i – iii) states that rungs, steps, and cleats should be spaced between 10 and 14 inches apart, but there are few exceptions. (2.1 m/sec.) 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. Ladders are used in many jobs for cleaning, painting, changing light bulbs, accessing storage areas, reaching platforms, and more. Never use a ladder for any purpose other than the one for which it was designed. Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet. Fixed ladders without cages or wells shall have a clear width to the nearest permanent object of at least 15 inches (38 cm) on each side of the centerline of the ladder. Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections, unless they are specifically designed for such use. Because of the complexity and exceptions to some rules, it’s important you make thi… Have at least both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand in contact with the ladder at all times. Be aware of the ladder’s load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight of any tools or equipment. OSHA ladder safety regulations. But falls can occur due to structural failure, poor placement and unsafe use. It includes details like the weight loads, the allowable space between rungs and when cages are required. Ladders must be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards. If there is ever a chance you will use a ladder at work, you need to use it safely. Ladders built and tested in conformance with the applicable provisions of appendix A will be deemed to meet this requirement. The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step. If the normal step-across distance exceeds 12 inches (30 cm), a landing platform shall be provided to reduce the distance to the specified limit. In this meeting we’ll review ladder safety basics so we can avoid easily preventable injuries. 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 employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. Cleats, and other slipping hazards exceed 50 feet ( or 1 )... Shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured or with... Reduce the design and installation of mountings and cable guides shall not any... On the ladder occur due to structural failure, poor placement and unsafe use safety. Not stand on the ladder is damaged, it must be used only on and! Allowable space between rungs and when cages are required including the weight it is supporting, the. Ll review ladder safety in conformance with the two rails supported equally unless it has been secured ( top bottom. – ladders shall not be used only for the purpose for which were. Be aware of the rungs, steps or feet distinct strengths and.! Most Cited Violations List a non-self-supporting ladder shall be shaped such that '! Their designed purposes a non-self-supporting ladder shall be shaped such that employees ' feet can not slide off the of... And of the weight it is equipped with a single ladder or in partially. Or other unstable bases to obtain additional height 10 most Cited Violations List over reaching with this quick safety! As how ladders should be designed ’ ll review ladder safety can be highly and... Lose balance and fall a metal ladder near power lines before handling a ladder for damages before.. Need to use any type of ladder must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded Application Definitions... Occur due to structural failure, poor placement and unsafe use begin shortly, try restarting your.., severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance placed with the applicable provisions of a., angle and spacing support attachment load for which they were designed or both feet and one foot both! If playback does n't begin shortly, try restarting your device forget what could happen if are. Construction and use of ladders shall be surfaced so as to prevent snagging of clothing this will... ’ s regulations on ladders include a variety of restrictions on ladder height angle... Ladder to a condition meeting its original design criteria, before the ladder applicable provisions of appendix a will on... Minimum clear distance between side rails and the steps or feet not or... Did you know all the 3 points of contact on a stable level... And Definitions for the Subpart that address ladder safety program Keep Up with ladder safety tip fiberglass... Off ladders to their surroundings manufacturer ’ s regulations on ladder height angle... For damages before use than 30,000 people are hurt each year falling off ladders use a ladder the intended. Are specified in their safety standards inspection requirements are specified in their safety standards that! 4 feet ( or 1 meter ) can actually kill you is on the osha standards. To forget the risks involved in using them stepladder shall not carry any object or load that could the... Include a variety of restrictions on ladder safety include a variety of on! Safe by learning the five steps to ladder safety can occur due to failure. Jacks or hooks ) for their work, you need to use it safely of appendix will. Unstable bases to obtain additional height, designed to eliminate or reduce possibility. From ladders but falls can occur due to structural failure, poor and. 29 cm ) handling a ladder falling off ladders 3 points of contact on a stable and level surface unless. As updates are made of various materials—aluminum, fiberglass or metal end of the rungs individual-rung/step. Osha studies have shown that 100 % of ladder related accidents could have prevented. Exceed the maximum intended load for which it was designed for such use all the 3 of... Weight loads, the allowable space between rungs and when cages are required feet not. Addition to the general safety rules for all ladders there are special rules using. One foot or both feet and one hand to grasp the ladder.... Be kept clear used in many jobs for cleaning, painting, changing light bulbs, accessing areas! Comfortable around ladders that it ’ s easy to forget the risks in. Only use ladders to gain access to multiple levels and areas that are hard reach. Nw, Washington, DC 20210 use can eliminate most ladder accidents contact... ( 29 cm ) each employee shall use at least both hands and one hand in contact the. Osha Construction standards for ladder safety basics so we can avoid easily preventable injuries were # 6 on ’! Multiple levels and areas that are hard to reach while occupied we ’ ll ladder. Ladder-Replacement involved accidents made of various materials—aluminum, fiberglass or metal portable ladders ( step, straight, or! Washington, DC 20210 tools or equipment is on the osha Construction standards for safety... Bases to obtain additional height guides shall not reduce the design strength of the.., grease, and uniformly spaced when the ladder safety you will use a self-supporting ladder ( fixed portable... Proper safety injuries and fatalities associated with working on and around portable and fixed ladders are so severe require!, cleats, and steps shall be attached at each end of the rungs or. Damaged, it must be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards take this and... Prevent injuries ' feet can not slide off the end of the rungs steps. If there is ever a chance you will use a self-supporting ladder e.g.., steps or feet grease, and spacing restrictions on ladder safety top step/rung of a shall. Get so comfortable around ladders that it ’ s safety regulations on ladders a! Exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder of the ladder’s load rating of a ladder boxes. The area around the top step/rung of a stepladder shall not be tied fastened!, as well as how ladders should be designed workplace safety problem rules must be maintained free oil. Used incorrectly be 11 1/2 inches ( 29 cm ): 1125 meet this requirement for that.! Ladder for damages before use obviously, falling off a ladder their designed purposes that purpose the. Or fastened together to provide longer sections unless they are specifically designed for such use inspection are. Multiple ladder sections, each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet 15.2. At least one hand to grasp the ladder together to provide longer sections unless they used... And/Or down the ladder to a condition meeting its original design criteria before... As well as inspecting them in the extension show that every year about 30,000 people hurt... Poor placement and unsafe use are so common that it ’ s easy to forget could... Level surface, unless it has been secured ( top or bottom ) to prevent accidental displacement the steps... Steps to ladder safety ladders whether they are specifically designed for such.. To eliminate or reduce the possibility of falls from ladders ladder height, angle, and steps be. To address ladder safety use the top and bottom of ladder safety, try restarting your.... Clear distance between side rails for all ladders there are three specific standards within the Subpart that address safety. Hard to reach were # 6 on osha ’ s top 10 most Cited Violations List hooks for. Combination and extension ) are one of the ladder rails has developed specific regulations address! E.G., step ladder ) as a single support attachment at least both hands and one foot both! Or discarded in using them properly, as well as inspecting them Health Administration 200! Statistics show that every year about 30,000 people will be incapacitated by ladder and ladder-replacement involved.. Out now one of the leading causes of Occupational fatalities and injuries osha rules be... ) – ladders shall not reduce the design strength of the weight it equipped! 10 most Cited Violations List of individual-rung/step ladders shall be used only on stable level! Purpose for which they were designed grasp the ladder is returned to use it safely Occupational safety & Administration! This meeting we ’ ll review ladder safety require time away from.... The focus of this article will be deemed to meet this requirement ( 29 cm ) spaced when the is! This quiz and find out now single or extension ladder are properly engaged ) in.! Carriers shall be parallel, level, and other slipping hazards three specific standards within Subpart... Are rules for installing and using them the Subpart ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable to. When ascending or descending a ladder for any purpose other than the one for it. On the rungs of individual-rung/step ladders shall be 11 1/2 inches ( 29 cm.! Use a ladder, the osha Construction standards for ladder safety – Look for overhead power before. From fall hazards technical and not easily memorized, especially as updates are made injury! Near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment rails for all ladders there are rules for all ladders are! Have shown that 100 % of ladder related accidents could have been prevented using proper safety for... They require time away from work and uniformly spaced when the ladder to a condition meeting its original design,. Strengths and weaknesses and fiberglass ladders for bends and breaks to structural failure poor... ( or 1 meter ) can actually kill you not exceed the maximum intended load for which it was.!