Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders
Article 25. Ladders

§1675. General.

(a) General requirements. Except where either permanent or temporary stairways or suitable ramps or runways are provided, ladders described in this section shall be used to give safe access to all elevations.

(b) The use of ladders with broken or missing rungs or steps, broken or split side rails, or other faulty or defective construction is prohibited. When ladders with such defects are discovered they shall be immediately withdrawn from service. Inspection of metal ladders shall include checking for corrosion of interiors of open end hollow rungs.

(c) Manufactured portable wood ladders provided by the employer shall be labeled as being designed and manufactured in accordance with the provisions of the American National Standards Institute, A 14.1 1982, ladders - portable wood - safety requirements. Labels are not required on portable wood ladders purchased prior to July 1, 1992.

(d) Portable metal ladders shall be of strength equivalent to that of wood ladders. Manufactured portable metal ladders provided by the employer shall be labeled as being designed and manufactured in accordance with the provisions of the American National Standards Institute, A14.2 1982, ladders - portable metal - safety requirements. Labels are not required on portable metal ladders purchased prior to July 1, 1992.

(e) Portable ladder feet shall be placed on a substantial base, and the area around the top and bottom of the ladder shall be kept clear.

(f) Planks shall not be used on the top step of stepladders.

(g) Portable ladders shall be used at such a pitch that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is about one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the length along the ladder between the foot and the top support). Ladders shall not be used in a horizontal position as platforms, runways, or scaffolds.

(h) Ladders shall not be placed in passageways, doorways, driveways, or any location where they may be displaced by activities being conducted on any other work, unless protected by barricades or guards.

(i) The side rails shall extend not less than 36 inches above the landing. When this is not practical, grab rails, which provide a secure grip for an employee moving to or from the point of access, shall be installed.

(j) Portable ladders in use shall be tied, blocked, or otherwise secured to prevent their being displaced.

(k) No one shall be permitted to stand and work on the top 3 rungs or cleats of a ladder unless there are members of the structure that provide a firm handhold or the employee is protected by a personal fall protection system (e.g., positioning device or fall restraint system) in accordance with the requirements of Article 24 (commencing with Section 1669) of the Construction Safety Orders.

(l) Portable metal ladders shall not be used for electrical work or where they may contact electrical conductors.

(m) All fixed ladders used in construction shall comply with the provisions of Section 3277 of the General Industry Safety Orders.

(n) Stepladders. Employees shall not stand on the topcap or the step below the topcap of a stepladder.

Note: For the purposes of subsection (n) the topcap is not a step.

NOTE

Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 5-21-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 21).

2. New subsections (m) and (n) filed 11-14-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75; No. 46).

3. Amendment of subsection (h) filed 3-19-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 12).

4. Amendment filed 1-14-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 3).

5. Amendment of subsections (c) and (d) and new subsection (m) filed 6-1-92; operative 7-1-92 (Register 92, No. 23).

6. Amendment of subsection (k) and new subsection (n) and explanatory Note filed 6-16-98; operative 7-16-98 (Register 98, No. 25).