...
Ladders are wonderful tools to help workers reach heights. But, because they seem easy to use, workers and employers often take ladders for granted, and each year workers are seriously injured because of falls from ladders.
Under the updated Walking-Working Surfaces rule, OSHA has consolidated existing requirements that regulate portable wood, portable metal, and fixed ladders into one ladder regulation. The changes cover all ladders used in general industry, except those that are designed into a machine or piece of equipment, or used for emergency operations. Both general and specific ladder requirements are contained in the Ladder regulation, which covers design, maintenance, and use.
Perhaps the most notable change covers the use of portable ladders. OSHA now requires that when ascending or descending a ladder, employees must maintain three points of contact at all times by:
- Facing the ladder,
- Using at least one hand to firmly grasp the ladder, and
- Not carrying any object or load that could cause them to lose balance and fall.
Employers are required to ensure that every employee follows these climbing techniques through training.
OSHA is also phasing out cages and wells on fixed ladders as the primary means of fall protection. Fixed ladders must now be equipped with ladder safety system or personal fall arrest systems. This means all fixed ladders that currently have a cage or well will need to be modified to meet this new requirement. OSHA is giving employers 20 years to fully comply.
Also covered under this section are mobile ladder stands and mobile ladder stand platforms. OSHA is distinguishing between the two types of mobile ladders by specifying design, construction, and fall protection requirements for each.
Additionally, the Ladder regulation now covers fiberglass or composite material portable ladders. This type of portable ladder is widely used in general industry.
Scope
The Ladder regulation applies to all general industry employers that use ladders. OSHA no longer exempts specialty ladders (i.e. orchard ladder, combination step and extension, stockroom step ladder, library ladder, etc.).
The rule only allows two exceptions, ladders used for emergency operations (i.e. firefighting or rescue operations) or if the ladder is an integral part of a machines design.
Regulatory citations
- 29 CFR 1910.23 — Ladders
- 29 CFR 1910.68 — Manlifts
- 29 CFR 1910.179 — Overhead and gantry cranes
- 29 CFR 1910.265 — Sawmills
- 29 CFR 1910.268 — Telecommunications
Key definitions
- Cage: An enclosure mounted on the side rails of a fixed ladder or fastened to a structure behind the fixed ladder that is designed to surround the climbing space of the ladder. A cage also is called a “cage guard” or “basket guard.”
- Carrier: The track of a ladder safety system that consists of a flexible cable or rigid rail attached to the fixed ladder or immediately adjacent to it.
- Combination ladder: A portable ladder that can be used as a stepladder, extension ladder, trestle ladder, or stairway ladder. The components of a combination ladder also may be used separately as a single ladder.
- Extension ladder: A non-self-supporting portable ladder that is adjustable in length.
- Fixed ladder: A ladder with rails or individual rungs that is permanently attached to a structure, building, or equipment. Fixed ladders include individual-rung ladders, but not ship stairs, step bolts, or manhole steps.
- Grab bar: An individual horizontal or vertical handhold installed to provide access above the height of the ladder.
- Individual-rung ladder: A ladder that has rungs individually attached to a building or structure. An individual-rung ladder does not include manhole steps.
- Ladder: A device with rungs, steps, or cleats used to gain access to a different elevation.
- Ladder safety system: A system designed to eliminate or reduce the possibility of falling from a ladder. A ladder safety system usually consists of a carrier, safety sleeve, lanyard, connectors, and body harness. Cages and wells are not ladder safety systems.
- Mobile ladder stand (ladder stand): A mobile, fixed-height, self-supporting ladder that usually consists of wheels or casters on a rigid base and steps leading to a top step. A mobile ladder stand also may have handrails and is designed for use by one employee at a time.
- Mobile ladder stand platform: A mobile, fixed-height, self-supporting unit having one or more standing platforms that are provided with means of access or egress.
- Portable ladder: A ladder that can readily be moved or carried, and usually consists of side rails joined at intervals by steps, rungs, or cleats.
- Riser: The upright (vertical) or inclined member of a stair that is located at the back of a stair tread or platform and connects close to the front edge of the next higher tread, platform, or landing.
- Side-step ladder: A type of fixed ladder that requires an employee to step sideways from it in order to reach a walking-working surface, such as a landing.
- Stepladder: A self-supporting, portable ladder that has a fixed height, flat steps, and a hinged back.
- Stepstool: A self-supporting, portable ladder that has flat steps and side rails. For purposes of the final rule, stepstool includes only those ladders that have a fixed height, do not have a pail shelf, and do not exceed 32 inches (81 cm) in overall height to the top cap, although side rails may extend above the top cap. A stepstool is designed so an employee can climb and stand on all of the steps and the top cap.
- Through ladder: A type of fixed ladder that allows the employee to step through the side rails at the top of the ladder to reach a walking-working surface, such as a landing.
- Well: A permanent, complete enclosure around a fixed ladder.
Summary of requirements
Employers must:
- Use ladders for the purpose they were designed.
- Ensure ladders meet OSHA specifications.
- Ensure employees follow all ladder climbing technique requirements including:
- Facing the ladder while climbing up and down,
- Using at least one hand to firmly grasp the ladder at all times, and
- Not carrying any object or load that could cause employees to lose their balance and fall.
- Train employees in ladder climbing techniques.
- Maintain ladders in a safe condition.
- Inspect ladders before the first use every shift and as necessary.
- Remove defective ladders from service.
- Upgrade all fixed ladders over 24 feet with ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems by 2036.
- Train employees in ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems.
- Train employees on the use of required personal protective equipment (i.e. harnesses, lanyards, etc.).