A designer’s guide to OSHA’s fixed ladder requirements

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/aboutosha","target","_blank"]],["b"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1926\/1926.1053"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1926\/1926.1053","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1910\/1910.28"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1910\/1910.28","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1910\/1910.23"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/laws-regs\/regulations\/standardnumber\/1910\/1910.23","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/okeeffes.com\/ladder_type\/access-ladders\/"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/okeeffes.com\/ladder_type\/access-ladders\/","target","_blank"]],["i"],["a",["href","https:\/\/okeeffes.com\/continuing-education\/","target","_blank"]],["em"]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA partner O\u2019Keefe\u2019s outlines what architects need to know before designing fixed access ladders into their projects."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the "],[0,[0],1,"Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)"],[0,[],0," to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. This guide will provide an overview of OSHA\u2019s fixed ladder requirements that designers can reference when specifying fixed access ladders for their projects. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"General requirements for fixed ladders"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"OSHA\u2019s ladder standards are divided into four main components: general requirements for all ladders, portable ladders, mobile ladders, and fixed ladders. In this article, we\u2019ll focus on the important general requirements every fixed ladder should have to ensure safety. Note that this is for reference only and to consult with OSHA for the latest requirements. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"1. Fixed ladders above 24 feet must have a fall protection system"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Previously, OSHA required fixed ladders taller than 20 feet to have cages as a form of fall protection. But, as of January 2017, OSHA changed the ladder height requirement. Fixed ladders that extend beyond"],[0,[2],1," "],[0,[3],1,"24 feet"],[0,[],0," need to have fall protection systems in place."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Additionally, in 2018, the organization stated under"],[0,[4],1," "],[0,[5],1,"1910.28(b)(9)"],[0,[],0," that cages were no longer considered a form of fall protection. Fixed ladders erected before November 19, 2018, will still use their existing cages. However, you must use a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system for new or replaced ladders."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"2. Applications that exceed 50 feet or above must have landing platforms"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Under"],[0,[4],1," "],[0,[5],1,"1910.28(b)(9)(iii)(B)"],[0,[],0,", if fixed ladders with cages extend to have an unbroken length of more than 50 feet, OSHA requires that they have landing platforms in every 50-foot intervals."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"3. Ladders must be made with non-corrosive material"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"OSHA states under"],[0,[6],1," "],[0,[7],1,"1910.23(b)(6)"],[0,[],0," that metal ladders should be protected against corrosion and made with corrosion-resistant materials like aluminum. Using ladders such as high-strength and low-maintenance aluminum"],[0,[8],1," "],[0,[9],1,"access ladders"],[0,[],0," can prevent accidents caused by residual damage or corrosion."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"4. Ladder rungs should have a minimum clear width of 16 inches"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Fixed ladders should have a climbing width requirement of at least 16 inches. As per OSHA "],[0,[7],1,"1910.23(b)(4)"],[0,[],0,", ladder rungs, steps, and cleats must be measured before installing ladder safety systems to ensure that they meet the given requirements. The wider the ladder system is, the easier and safer it is for you to climb it."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"5. Ladders with no cages must have a clear width of at least 15 inches"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"If your fixed ladder doesn\u2019t have a cage, it should be installed at least 15 inches between it and any permanent objects surrounding it. Additionally, following OSHA"],[0,[6],1," "],[0,[7],1,"1910.23(d)(13)(i)"],[0,[],0,", you should measure from the ladder\u2019s centerline."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"6. For fixed through ladders, side rails must provide 24 to 30 inches of clearance"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The access level above the fixed ladder should at least be 24 inches wide but not more than 30 inches of clearance. As such, the ladder will be able to accommodate the width of your body, and you\u2019ll be able to reach both side rails. In addition, according to OSHA "],[0,[7],1,"1910.23(d)(5)"],[0,[],0,", when your fixed ladder has a ladder safety system, the maximum clearance between extension handrails is 36 inches."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"7. Grab bars should stick out 42 inches above the access level or landing platforms"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To protect you from exiting the ladder in an access level or landing platform, grab bars should extend 42 inches above the ladder\u2019s surface, as stated in OSHA"],[0,[6],1," "],[0,[7],1,"1910.23(d)(7)"],[0,[],0,". Moreover, the size of the grab bars should at least be the same as the ladder\u2019s rungs."]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[1],1,"8. Ladders and their nearest permanent object should have at least a 7-inch clear distance"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Under OSHA"],[0,[6],1," "],[0,[7],1,"1910.23(d)(2)"],[0,[],0,", the minimum perpendicular distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object in the back of the ladder should be 7 inches. With this clearance, you\u2019ll be able to climb the ladder without any potential trip hazards from the building."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[10],0,"If you\u2019d like to learn more about designing compliant fixed access, ship, cage, and custom ladders, you can register to take O\u2019Keeffe\u2019s on-demand continuing education program \u201cStandard and Custom Fixed Commercial Ladder Design\u201d (1 AIA LU\/HSW) "],[0,[11],1,"here"],[0,[],1,". "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[12],1,"AIA does not sponsor or endorse any enterprise, whether \npublic or private, operated for profit. Further, no AIA officer, \ndirector, committee member, or employee, or any of its component \norganizations in his or her official capacity, is permitted to approve, \nsponsor, endorse, or do anything that may be deemed or construed to be \nan approval, sponsorship, or endorsement of any material of construction\n or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in\n any material or product."]]]]}