www.osha

1 3124 -12R 2003 Stairways and LaddersA Guide to osha Department of LaborOccupational Safety and Health AdministrationOSHA 3124-12R2003 Stairways and Ladders:A Guide to osha RulesThis informational booklet provides a general overview of a particular topic related to osha standards. It does not alteror determine compliance responsibilities inOSHA standards or the Occupational Safetyand Health Act of 1970. Because interpreta-tions and enforcement policy may changeover time, you should consult current osha administrative interpretations and decisionsby the Occupational Safety and HealthReview Commission and the Courts for additional guidance on osha publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially,without permission. Source credit is requested but not information is available to sensoryimpaired individuals upon phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter(TTY) number: (877) on and around stairways and ladders is hazardous.

2 Stairways and ladders are majorsources of injuries and fatalities among constructionworkers for example, and many of the injuries areserious enough to require time off the job. osha rules apply to all stairways and ladders used inconstruction, alteration, repair, painting, decorat-ing and demolition of worksites covered byOSHA s construction safety and health RequirementsThese rules specify when employers must provide stairways and ladders. In general, thestandards require the following: When there is a break in elevation of 19 inches(48 cm) or more and no ramp, runway,embankment or personnel hoist is available,employers must provide a stairway or ladderat all worker points of access. When there is only one point of accessbetween levels, employers must keep it clearof obstacles to permit free passage by work-ers. If free passage becomes restricted,employers must provide a second point ofaccess and ensure that workers use it.

3 When there are more than two points ofaccess between levels, employers must ensurethat at least one point of access remains addition, employers must install all stairwayand ladder fall protection systems required by these rules and ensure that their worksite meets all requirements of the stairway and ladder rulesbefore employees use stairways or ladders. See for the details of the :The standard does not apply to laddersspecifically manufactured for scaffold access andegress, but does apply to job-made and manufac-tured portable ladders intended for general purposeuse. Rules for ladders used on or with scaffolds areaddressed in 29 Subpart L. for Types of for Fixed for Fixed Safety Devices and Related Support Systems for Fixed for Mounting ladder Safety Devices for Fixed Defective for Used During and Health Program Management Protection Programs (VPP).

4 20 Strategic Partnership and , Complaints or Further Regional Double-cleated laddersor two or more laddersmust be provided when ladders are the onlyway to enter or exit a work area where 25 ormore employees work or when a ladder servessimultaneous two-way traffic. ladder rungs, cleats and steps must be paral-lel, level and uniformly spaced when the lad-der is in position for use. Rungs, cleats and steps of portable and fixedladders (except as provided below) must notbe spaced less than 10 inches (25 cm) apart,nor more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, alongthe ladder s side rails. Rungs, cleats and steps of step stoolsmust notbe less than 8 inches (20 cm) apart, nor morethan 12 inches (31 cm) apart, between centerlines of the rungs, cleats and steps. Rungs, cleats and steps at the base section ofextension trestle laddersmust not be less than8 inches (20 cm) nor more than 18 inches (46cm) apart, between center lines of the rungs,cleats and steps.

5 The rung spacing on theextension section must not be less than 6 inch-es (15 cm) nor more than 12 inches (31 cm). Ladders must not be tied or fastened togetherto create longer sections unless they arespecifically designed for such use. When splicing side rails, the resulting side railmust be equivalent in strength to a one-pieceside rail made of the same material. Two or more separate ladders used to reach anelevated work area must be offset with a plat-form or landing between the ladders, exceptwhen portable ladders are used to gain accessto fixed ladders. ladder components must be surfaced to prevent snagging of clothing and injury frompunctures or lacerations. Rules for LaddersAll LaddersThe following rules apply to all ladders: Maintain ladders free of oil, grease and otherslipping hazards. Do not load ladders beyond their maximumintended load nor beyond their manufacturer srated capacity.

6 Use ladders only for their designed purpose. Use ladders only on stable and level surfacesunless secured to prevent accidental movement. Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unlesssecured or provided with slip-resistant feet toprevent accidental movement. Do not use slip-resistant feet as a substitute for exercising carewhen placing, lashing or holding a ladderupon slippery surfaces. Secure ladders placed in areas such as pas-sageways, doorways or driveways, or wherethey can be displaced by workplace activitiesor traffic to prevent accidental movement. Oruse a barricade to keep traffic or activity awayfrom the ladder . Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders. Do not move, shift or extend ladders while in use. Use ladders equipped with nonconductive siderails if the worker or the ladder could contactexposed energized electrical equipment.

7 Face the ladder when moving up or down. Use at least one hand to grasp the ladderwhen climbing. Do not carry objects or loads that could causeloss of balance and addition, the following general requirementsapply to all ladders, including ladders built at thejobsite: 54In addition, the rungs and steps of portablemetal ladders must be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material ortreated to minimize and self-supportingportable ladders must support at least four timesthe maximum intended load; extra heavy-dutytype 1A metal or plastic ladders must sustain the maximum intended load. To determinewhether a self-supporting ladder can sustain acertain load, apply the load to the ladder in adownward vertical direction with the ladderplaced at a horizontal angle of portable ladders are used for access toan upper landing surface, the side rails mustextend at least 3 feet (.)

8 9 m) above the upper landing surface. When such an extension is notpossible, the ladder must be secured and a grasping device such as a grab rail must be provided to assist workers in mounting and dismounting the ladder . A ladder extension mustnot deflect under a load that would cause the ladder to slip off its LaddersIf the total length of the climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet ( m), the lad-der must be equipped with ladder safety devices;orself-retracting lifelines and rest platforms atintervals not to exceed 150 feet ( m); ora cage or well and multiple ladder sections with each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet ( m)in length. These ladder sections must be offsetfrom adjacent sections and landing platformsmust be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet( m). In addition, fixed ladders must meet thefollowing requirements: Fixed ladders must be able to support at leasttwo loads of 250 pounds (114 kg) each, concentrated between any two consecutiveattachments.

9 Fixed ladders also must supportadded anticipated loads caused by ice buildup, Wood laddersmust not be coated with anyopaque covering except for identification orwarning labels, which may be placed only onone face of a side :A competent person must inspect ladders for visible defects periodically and afterany incident that could affect their safe Types of Ladders Do not use single-rail ladders. Use non-self-supporting laddersat an anglewhere the horizontal distance from the topsupport to the foot of the ladder is approxi-mately one-quarter of the working length ofthe ladder . Use wooden laddersbuilt at the jobsite withspliced side rails at an angle where the hori-zontal distance is one-eighth of the workinglength of the addition, the top of a non-self-supportingladder must be placed with two rails supportedequally unless it is equipped with a single Do not use the top or top step of a stepladderas a step.

10 Do not use cross bracing on the rear section ofstepladders for climbing unless the ladders aredesigned and provided with steps for climbingon both front and rear sections. Metal spreader or locking devices must be pro-vided on stepladders to hold the front and backsections in an open position when ladders arebeing LaddersThe minimum clear distance between side railsfor all portable ladders must be inches (29 cm). 76edge of a landing area must be no less than 7 inches (18 cm) and no more than 12 inches(30 cm). A landing platform must be providedif the step-across distance exceeds 12 inches(30 cm). Fixed ladders without cages or wells musthave at least a 15-inch (38 cm) clearance widthto the nearest permanent object on each sideof the centerline of the ladder . Fixed ladders must be provided with cages,wells, ladder safety devices or self-retractinglifelines where the length of climb is less than24 feet ( m) but the top of the ladder is at adistance greater than 24 feet ( m) abovelower levels.