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Ladders

Ladders may be used to provide access when no other means of access is required in the SOs. Falls are the most common cause of worker injury associated with ladder use and are primarily caused by (1) use of faulty ladders; (2) improper set-up of a ladder; or (3) the incorrect use of ladders. SOs to control these hazards are listed below.

A. Ladder specifications are as follows:

1. Extension ladders shall not exceed 44 ft. in length. 1678(a)
   
2. Single-cleat ladders shall not exceed 30 ft. in length. 1629(c)
   
3. Double-cleat ladders shall not exceed 24 ft. in length. 1676(d)
   
4. Double-cleat ladders are required for two-way traffic or when 25 or more employees are using a ladder. 1629(c)
   
5. An overlapping section should not be less than 10% of the working length of the ladder. 1678(b)
   

B. Job built ladders must meet the following requirements:

1. Job-built ladders must safely support the intended load. 1676(a)
   
2. Cleats must be made from clear, straight-grained lumber and must be uniformly spaced 12 in. apart vertically. 1676(c)
   
3. Cleats must be nailed at each end with three 10d nails or the equivalent. 1676(j)
   
4. Cleats must be blocked or notched into the side rails. 1676(j)
   
5. The width of single-cleat ladders shall be 15 in. to 20 in. 1676(f)
   
6. Rails must be made from select Douglas fir without knots (or the equivalent). 1676(b)
   
7. Rail splicing is permitted only when there is no loss of strength to the rail. 1676(b)
   
8. Single-cleat ladders must not exceed 30 ft. in length. 1676(d)
   
9. Double-cleat ladders must not exceed 24 ft. in length. 1676(d)
   

C. Two types of stepladders are allowed as follows: 1675, 3278, 3287

1. Type I, Industrial, 3 ft. to 20 ft., for heavy duty, such as work on utilities, use by contractors, and industrial use.
   
2. Type II, Commercial, 3 ft. to 12 ft., for medium duty, such as use by painters, office use, and light industrial use. 3278(d)
   

D. To safely use ladders, employees must follow the instructions noted below:

1. Face the ladder while climbing and descending. 3276(a)(2)
   
2. Do not stand on the top three rungs of ladders. 1675(k)
   
3. Remove damaged or defective ladders from use. 1675(b)
   
4. Do not place ladders where they can be accidentally struck or displaced. 1675(h)
   
5. Tie, block, or otherwise secure portable ladders in use. 1675(j)
   
6. Extend ladder side rails to at least 3 ft. above the landing unless handholds are provided. 1629(c)(3), 1675(i)
   
7. Do not splice ladders together. 3278(e)(13)
   
8. Do not use metal ladders for electrical work or near live electrical parts. 3279(d)(11), 1675(l)
   
9. Mark portable metal ladders with the words — CAUTION — DO NOT USE AROUND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. 3279(d)(11)
   

E. To safely use stepladders, employees must follow the instructions noted below:

1. Do not step on the top cap or the step below the top cap. 3287(a)(12)(B)
   
2. Do not place planks on the top cap. 1675(f)
   
3. Do not use the X-bracing on the rear section of a stepladder for climbing unless the ladder is so designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections. 3278(e)(20)
   
4. Make sure that the stepladder is properly set up and that the spreader is in locked position before use. 3278(d)(1)(D)
   
5. Do not use the stepladder as a lean-to ladder. 3278(d)(1)(D)