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Safety requirements for portable wood ladders placed in service after April 18, 1999 shall meet the requirements of ANSI A14.1-1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Safety requirements for portable wood ladders placed in service on or before April 17, 1999, shall be based on the ANSI A14.1 provisions in effect at the time such ladders were placed in service.
(a) Scope. This section is intended to prescribe rules and establish minimum requirements for the construction, care, and use of the common types of portable wood ladders, in order to insure safety under normal conditions of usage.
(b) Definitions.
Extension Ladder. An extension ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder adjustable in length. It consists of two or more sections traveling in guides or brackets so arranged as to permit length adjustment. Its size is designated by the sum of the lengths of the sections measured along the side rails.
Extension Trestle Ladder. An extension trestle ladder is a self-supporting portable ladder, adjustable in length, consisting of a trestle ladder base and a vertically adjustable single ladder, with suitable means for locking the ladders together. The size is designated by the length of the trestle ladder base.
Ladders. A ladder is an appliance usually consisting of two side rails joined at regular intervals by crosspieces called steps, rungs, or cleats, on which a person may step in ascending or descending.
Sectional Ladder. A sectional ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of two or more sections of ladder so constructed that the sections may be combined to function as a single ladder. Its size is designated by the overall length of the assembled sections.
Side-Rolling Ladder. A side-rolling ladder is a semifixed ladder, nonadjustable in length, supported by attachments to a guide rail, which is generally fastened to shelving, the plane of the ladder being also its plane of motion.
Single Ladder. A single ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of but one section. Its size is designated by the overall length of the side rail.
Special-Purpose Ladder. A special-purpose ladder is a portable ladder which represents either a modification or a combination of design or construction features in one of the general-purpose types of ladders previously defined, in order to adapt the ladder to special or specific uses.
Step Ladder. A step ladder is a self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, having flat steps and a hinged back. Its size is designated by the overall length of the ladder measured along the front edge of the side rails.
Trestle Ladder. A trestle ladder is a self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of two sections hinged at the top to form equal angles with the base. The size is designated by the length of the side rails measured along the front edge.
Trolley Ladder. A trolley ladder is a semifixed ladder, nonadjustable in length, supported by attachments to an overhead track, the plane of the ladder being at right angles to the plane of motion.
(c) Materials. General Requirements. All wood parts shall be free from sharp edges, splinters, irregularities and defects which affect the ladders structural integrity.
(d) Construction Requirements.
(1) Portable Step Ladders.
(A) Step ladders longer than 20 feet shall not be used. Step ladders as hereinafter specified shall be of three types, as follows:
Type I--Industrial step ladder, 3 to 20 feet for heavy duty, such as utilities, contractors, and industrial use
Type II--Commercial step ladder, 3 to 12 feet for medium duty, such as painters, offices, and light industrial use
Type III--Household step ladder, 3 to 6 feet for light duty, such as light household use.
(B) Step Spacing. A uniform step spacing shall be employed which shall be not more than 12 inches. Steps shall be parallel and level when the ladder is in position for use.
(C) Width and Spread. The minimum width between side rails at the top, inside to inside, shall be not less than 11 1/2 inches. From top to bottom, the side rails shall spread at least 1-inch for each foot of length of step ladder. Rungs shall be continuous members between rails.
(D) Spreader. A metal spreader or locking device of sufficient size and strength to securely hold the front and back sections in open position shall be a component of each step ladder. The spreader shall have all sharp points covered or removed to protect the user. For Type III ladder, the pail shelf and spreader may be combined in one unit (the so-called shelf-lock ladder).
(2) Single Ladder Length. Single ladders longer than 30 feet shall not be used.
(3) Two-Section Ladder Length. Two-section extension ladders longer than 60 feet shall not be used. All ladders of this type shall consist of two sections, one to fit within the side rails of the other, and arranged in such a manner that the upper section can be raised and lowered.
(4) Trestle and Extension Trestle Ladder Length. Trestle ladders, or extension sections or base sections of extension trestle ladders longer than 20 feet shall not be used.
(5) Painter's Step Ladder. Painter's step ladders longer than 12 feet shall not be used.
(6) Mason's Ladder. A mason's ladder is a special type of single ladder intended for use in heavy construction work. Mason's ladders longer than 40 feet shall not be used.
(7) Cleat Ladder. A cleat ladder is a special type of single ladder intended for general use in construction work.
(A) Cleat ladders longer than 30 feet shall not be used.
(B) Wood side rails of ladders having cleat steps shall not be less than 1 1/2 inches thick and 3 1/2 inches deep (2 by 4 inches nominal).
(C) Wood cleats shall be inset into side rails not less than 1/2-inch or shall be attached directly to the edge of the side rails, in which case filler blocks of the thickness of the cleats shall be securely attached to the edge of the rail for the full length between cleats, or equivalent construction. The cleats shall be fastened to each rail by three 10-d wire nails or the equivalent thereof.
(8) Double Cleat Ladder. A double cleat ladder is similar to a single cleat ladder, but is wider, with an additional center rail which will allow for two-way traffic for workers in ascending and descending. The cleats shall extend the full width of the ladder.
(9) Other Types of Special Ladders. Other types of special ladders such as three-section extension ladders, fruitpicker's ladders, combination step and extension ladders, stockroom step ladders, aisle-way step ladders, shelf ladders, and library ladders are not specifically covered by this code.
(10) Trolley and Side-Rolling Ladders. Trolley ladders and side-rolling ladders longer than 20 feet shall not be used.
(e) Care and Use of Ladders.
(1) Ladders shall be maintained in good condition at all times, the joint between the steps and side rails shall be tight, all hardware and fittings securely attached, and the movable parts shall operate freely without binding or undue play.
(2) Metal bearings of locks, wheels, pulleys, etc., shall be frequently lubricated.
(3) Frayed or badly worn rope shall be replaced.
(4) Safety feet and other auxiliary equipment shall be kept in good condition to insure proper performance.
(5) Ladders shall be inspected frequently and those which have developed defects shall be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use."
(6) Rungs shall be kept free of grease and oil.
(7) Portable rung and cleat ladders shall, where possible, be used at such a pitch that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the length along the ladder between the foot and the top support). The ladder shall be so placed as to prevent slipping, or it shall be lashed, or held in position. Ladders shall not be used in a horizontal position as platforms, runways, or scaffolds.
(8) Ladders for which dimensions are specified herein should not be used by more than one man at a time nor with ladder jacks and scaffold planks where use by more than one man is anticipated. In such cases, specially designed ladders with larger dimensions of the parts shall be procured.
(9) Portable ladders shall be so placed that the side rails have a secure footing. The top rest for portable rung and cleat ladders shall be reasonably rigid and shall have ample strength to support the applied load.
(10) Ladders shall not be placed in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked open, locked, or guarded.
(11) Ladders shall not be placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
(12) Ladders with broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment shall not be used.
(13) Short ladders shall not be spliced together to provide long sections.
(14) Ladders made by fastening cleats across a single rail shall not be used.
(15) Ladders shall not be used as guys, braces, or skids, or for other than their intended purposes.
(16) On two-section extension ladders the minimum overlap for the two sections in use shall be as follows:
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Size of Ladder Overlap
(Feet) (Feet)
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Up to and including 36............................... 3
Over 36 up to and including 48....................... 4
Over 48 up to and including 60....................... 5
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(17) Portable rung ladders with reinforced rails shall be used only with the metal reinforcement on the under side.
(18) No ladder shall be used to gain access to a roof unless the top of the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the point of support at eave, gutter, or roof line.
(19) The employer shall equip all portable rung ladders with non-slip bases when there is a hazard of slipping. Non-slip bases are not intended as a substitute for care in safely placing, lashing, or holding a ladder that is being used upon oily metal, concrete, or slippery surfaces.
(20) Cross-bracing on the rear section of stepladders shall not be used for climbing unless the ladders are designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections.
NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
HISTORY
1. Amendment filed 7-17-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 29).
2. Amendment filed 1-17-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 3).
3. Amendment filed 12-12-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 50).
4. Amendment filed 2-26-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 9).
5. Amendment of subsection (e)(12) filed 7-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).
6. Amendment of subsection (e) filed 12-11-90; operative 1-10-91 (Register 91, No. 3).
7. New subsection (e)(21) filed 10-20-94; operative 11-21-94 (Register 94, No. 42).
8. Repealer of subsection (e)(16) and subsection renumbering filed 6-16-98;
operative 7-16-98 (Register 98, No. 25).
9. Amendment of first paragraph filed 3-19-99; operative 4-18-99 (Register 99,
No. 12).
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