Portable Ladder Fall Protection Requirements

29 cfr 1910 29 fall protection systems and falling object protection criteria and practices.

Portable ladder fall protection requirements. By definition stacked or scaling ladders are portable ladders. 29 cfr 1910 28 duty to have fall protection and falling object protection. 13 2000 loi if the user is at risk of falling from a portable ladder then osha encourages employers to provide additional fall protection. Figure d 3 example of counterbalanced hatch cover at roof.

Second we are discussing what is required. Fall protection is not required for employees climbing or working on portable ladders. Arrest system on fixed ladders that do not have any fall protection. The proposed rule also provides for exemption from fall protection requirements for qualified climbers as provided in 1910 32 b 5.

The standard for general industry walking working surfaces 1910 subpart d requires fall protection at 4 feet. Osha does not require fall protection when using portable ladders but the agency addresses fall protection when using ladders in several letters of interpretation loi. Except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders such as those on utility towers billboards and other structures where the bottom of the fixed ladder is elevated to limit access when two or more separate ladders are used to reach an elevated work area the ladders shall be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders. Certainly there could be times where it is obvious that fall protection would be a good idea even though the regulation does not require it like climbing a portable.

Reply 2 construction scaling ladders often combine features of fixed and portable ladders. F a l l p r o t e c t. Neither standard requires fall protection for workers on portable ladders. Portable ladders portable ladders usually consist of side rails joined at intervals by steps rungs or cleats.

Osha s 1910 walking working surfaces and fall protection standards effective date. Ansi asc a14 1 2007 portable wood ladder safety requirements. They can be self supporting or lean against a. Figure d 2 slide step fixed ladder sections.

Section 1910 28 establishes the employer s duty to provide fall protection for employees on fixed ladders and 1910 29 specifies the criteria for fall protection systems for fixed ladders. This protection can be provided by a guardrail safety net or personal fall protection system. Note to paragraph d. Within 20 years all ladders extending more than 24 feet must have a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.

Speak with a fall protection expert today. As stated in a jan. Fixed ladders are a different story and require fall protection devices to be present when the ladder is 24 or greater in length. Ansi asc a14 2 2007 portable metal ladder safety requirements.

January 2017 properly protect your employees and your business.