Safety Tidbit #48 – Fixed Ladders

Safety Tidbit #48 – Fixed Ladders

If you ever had to vertically climb up the side of a building or a water tower you know that once you get up 20-30 feet it is no easy feat.  Now ladders typically do not require fall protection but 40 or 50 feet or more on a tower you need something, right? The three-points of contact method is great but climbing that high is very fatiguing.

Well OSHA has a regulation for that.  1910.27(d) states that “when ladders are used to ascend to heights exceeding 20 feet (except on chimneys), landing platforms shall be provided for each 30 feet of height or fraction thereof, except that, where no cage, well, or ladder safety device is provided, landing platforms shall be provided for each 20 feet of height or fraction thereof. Each ladder section shall be offset from adjacent sections. Where installation conditions (even for a short, unbroken length) require that adjacent sections be offset, landing platforms shall be provided at each offset.” 

Furthermore, all landing platforms must be equipped with standard railings and toeboards, giving safe access to the ladder. Platforms shall be not less than 24 inches in width and 30 inches in length. [1910.27(d)(2)(ii)]

However, there are always exceptions. “Ladder safety devices may be used on tower, water tank, and chimney ladders over 20 feet in unbroken length in lieu of cage protection. No landing platform is required in these cases. All ladder safety devices such as those that incorporate lifebelts, friction brakes, and sliding attachments shall meet the design requirements of the ladders which they serve.” [1910.27(d)(5)]

Personally, I like cages because if you fall backwards you have something to keep you close to the ladder and grab onto. If this is a new construction, prudent practice would be to incorporate additional safety measures through the use of cages, ladder safety devices, and landings into the design even if not required.

Ultimately if your workers must routinely climb fixed ladders you should evaluate them and for their physical ability to climb the ladder (e.g., is the worker a smoker?). Also, remember how are you going to get the materials and tools to the top? It is hard enough to climb the fixed ladder, but to require the worker to carry the additional weight of tools and materials is unreasonable.  Not to mention, the encumbrance if they are to hand-carry these items, at least use a backpack.

One last thought, it was 93 degrees with high humidity yesterday, did you think about heat stress?

 Hope this was helpful and thanks for reading!  Have a safe day ~ Bryan