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Safety requirements for portable metal ladders placed in service after April 18, 1999, shall meet the requirements of ANSI A14.2-1990 or ANSI A14.10-2000, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Safety requirements for portable metal ladders placed in service on or before April 18, 1999, shall be based on the ANSI A14.2 provisions in effect at the time such ladders were placed in service.
(a) Scope. This section is intended to prescribe rules and requirements for the construction, care, and use of the common types of portable metal ladders, in order to insure safety under normal conditions of usage. It does not cover special-purpose ladders which do not meet the general requirements of this code.
(b) Definitions. For definitions of terms associated with metal ladders, see Section 3278(b).
(c) Requirements.
(1) General. Specific design and construction requirements are not a part of this section because of the wide variety of metals and design possibilities. However, the design shall be such as to produce a ladder without structural defects or accident hazards such as sharp edges, burrs, etc. The metal selected shall be of sufficient strength to meet the test requirements, and shall be protected against corrosion unless inherently corrosion-resistant.
(A) Rung Spacing. The spacing of rungs or steps shall be on 12-inch centers.
(B) Rungs and Steps. Rungs and steps shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize the possibility of slipping.
(2) General Specifications--Straight and Extension Ladders.
(A) Ladder Width. The minimum width between side rails of a straight ladder or any section of an extension ladder shall be 12 inches.
(B) Ladder Length. The length of single ladders or individual sections of ladders shall not exceed 30 feet. Two section ladders shall not exceed 48 feet in length and over two section ladders shall not exceed 60 feet in length.
(C) Overlap. Based on the nominal length of the ladder, each section of a multi-section ladder shall overlap the adjacent section by at least the number of feet stated in the following:
| (Feet) |
( Feet) |
Nominal Length of Ladder |
Overlap |
| Up to and including 36 |
3 |
||
| Over 36, up to and including 48 | 4 | ||
| Over 48, up to 60 | 5 |
(D) Extension ladders shall be equipped with positive stops which will insure the overlaps specified in the table above.
(3) General Specifications--Step Ladders.
(A) Length. The length of a step ladder is measured by the length of the front rail. Step ladders shall not exceed 20 feet in length.
(B) Feet. The bottoms of the four rails are to be supplied with insulating nonslip material for the safety of the user.
(C) Spreaders. A metal spreader or locking device of sufficient size and strength to securely hold the front and back sections in the open position shall be a component of each step ladder. The spreader shall have all sharp points or edges covered or removed to protect the user.
(4) General Specifications Trestles and Extension Trestle Ladders.
(A) Length. Trestle ladders or extension sections or base sections of extension trestle ladders shall be not more than 20 feet in length.
(5) General Specifications--Platform Ladders. The length of a platform ladder shall not exceed 20 feet. The length of a platform ladder shall be measured along the front rail from the floor to the platform.
(d) Care, Use and Maintenance of Ladders.
(1) General. Every employer using ladders shall enforce a maintenance program which includes the appropriate requirements listed below.
(2) Maintenance. Ladders shall be maintained in good usable condition at all times. Hardware fittings and accessories shall be checked prior to use and kept in good working condition.
(3) Deteriorating Agents. When ladders are to be subjected to deteriorating agents, a protective coating shall be applied to the equipment.
(4) Oil and Grease. Equipment shall be cleaned of oil, grease, or slippery materials.
(5) Damaged Ladders. Ladders having defects are to be marked and taken out of service.
(6) Loading. Portable ladders are designed as a one-man working ladder based on a 200-pound load.
(7) Footing Support. The ladder base section shall be placed with a secure footing. Safety shoes of good substantial design shall be installed on all ladders.
(8) Top Support. The top of the ladder must be placed with the two rails supported, unless equipped with a single support attachment.
(9) Fastening Together. Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections. They must be equipped with the hardware fittings necessary if the manufacturer endorses extended uses.
(10) Improper Use.
(A) Ladders shall not be used as a brace, skid, guy or gin pole, gangway, or for other uses than that for which they were intended, unless specifically recommended for use by the manufacturer.
(B) 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.
(11) Electrical Hazards. Portable metal ladders shall not be used in the vicinity of electrical circuits in places where they may come in contact with them. Portable metal ladders shall be legibly marked with signs reading “CAUTION--Do Not Use Around Electrical Equipment,” or equivalent wording.
NOTE
Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
HISTORY
1. Amendment of subsection (c), repealer of subsections (d), (e)(2)-(e)(4) and renumbering of subsections (e)(5)-(e)(16) filed 1-17-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 3).
2. New subsection (c)(5) filed 5-30-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 22).
3. Relettering of subsection (e) to subsection (d) filed 8-28-80; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 80, No. 35).
4. Amendment filed 12-12-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 50).
5. Amendment of subsections (b), (c)(3)(A), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(4), (d)(5) and (d)(10) filed 2-26-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 9).
6. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 7-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).
7. Editorial correction of subsection (d) filed 8-29-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 35). Ed. Note: No change in text.
8. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 12-11-90; operative 1-10-91 (Register 91, No. 3).
9. Amendment of subsection (d), designation of subsection (d)(10)(A) and new subsection (d)(10)(B) filed 10-20-94; operative 11-21-94 (Register 94, No. 42).
10. Amendment of first paragraph filed 3-19-99; operative 4-18-99 (Register 99, No. 12).
11. Amendment of first paragraph filed 3-26-2003; operative 4-25-2003 (Register 2003, No. 13).
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