This aspect of ladder safety can be highly technical and not easily memorized, especially as updates are made. Share. 1926.1053(b)(15) – 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. The following OSHA ladder inspection requirements are specified in their safety standards. Non-self-supporting ladders shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the distance along the ladder between the foot and the top support). Ladder safety begins with selecting the right ladder for the job and includes inspection, setup, proper climbing or standing, proper use, care, and storage. Ladder Safety Training Video. Let's take this quiz and find out now! Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed. Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet. Ladder sections shall be offset from adjacent sections, and landing platforms shall be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet (15.2 m). The rungs and steps of fixed metal ladders manufactured after March 15, 1991, shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping. Ladders must be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards. or OSHA Training Course. The bottom of the cage shall be flared not less than 4 inches (10 cm) all around within the distance between the bottom horizontal band and the next higher band; The top of the cage shall be a minimum of 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the platform, or the point of access at the top of the ladder, with provision for access to the platform or other point of access. – Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. OSHA’s regulations on ladder safety include a variety of restrictions on ladder height, angle, and spacing. Workers often use ladders to gain access to multiple levels and areas that are hard to reach. Have at least both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand in contact with the ladder at all times. The mounting of ladder safety devices for fixed ladders shall conform to the following: Mountings for rigid carriers shall be attached at each end of the carrier, with intermediate mountings, as necessary, spaced along the entire length of the carrier, to provide the strength necessary to stop employees' falls. Settings. An extension or straight ladder used to access an elevated surface must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support (see diagram). Start. Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement. OSHA estimates that, for general industry companies, falls from ladders — step, straight, combination, and extension — account for 20% of fatal and lost workday injuries. The requirement to withdraw a defective ladder from service is satisfied if the ladder is either: Marked in a manner that readily identifies it as defective; Or blocked (such as with a plywood attachment that spans several rungs). Ladders built and tested in conformance with the applicable provisions of appendix A of this subpart will be deemed to meet this requirement. OSHA’s safety regulations on ladders include a wide range of ladder height, angle and spacing restrictions. See osha.gov for ladder standards. 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. Do you know all the 3 points of contact on a ladder? When the system is exposed to wind, cable guides for flexible carriers shall be installed at a minimum spacing of 25 feet (7.6 m) and maximum spacing of 40 feet (12.2 m) along the entire length of the carrier, to prevent wind damage to the system. In addition to the general safety rules for all ladders there are special rules for using stepladders and for single and extension ladders. The design and installation of mountings and cable guides shall not reduce the design strength of the ladder. 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. •Always keep your belt buckle between the ladder rails. Ladders shall not be used on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental displacement. Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single or extension ladder. Click here to download the ladder safety program Inspect metal and fiberglass ladders for bends and breaks. The minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders shall be 11 1/2 inches (29 cm). Each portable ladder that is not self-supporting: At least four times the maximum intended load, except that each extra-heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic ladders shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load. OSHA ladder safety regulations. If your workers use any type of ladder for their work, the OSHA rules must be followed. Ladder Safety. The minimum clear distance between the sides of individual-rung/step ladders and the minimum clear distance between the side rails of other fixed ladders shall be 16 inches (41 cm). Rungs, cleats, and steps of portable ladders (except as provided below) and fixed ladders (including individual-rung/step ladders) shall be spaced not less than 10 inches (25 cm) apart, nor more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps. Ladder safety begins with the selection of the proper ladder for the job and includes inspection, setup, proper climbing and standing, proper use, care, and storage. 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. A metal spreader or locking device shall be provided on each stepladder to hold the front and back sections in an open position when the ladder is being used. An employee shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall. 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