Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Use and
Application.
(1) Ladders shall be used for
window cleaning only where the windows cannot otherwise be cleaned safely and
practicably by means of approved anchors and window cleaning belts, but this
method shall not be used to clean a window that requires the use of a fully
extended extension ladder in excess of 40 feet.
(2) At all times when a cleaner is working on
a ladder over 18 feet working length, a person shall stand at the foot of it,
face it, and hold it with both hands.
(3) All ladders shall be used at such a pitch
that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is
one-quarter the assembled length of the ladder (i.e., the length along the
ladder between the foot and the top support).
NOTE: Nonslip bases are not intended as a substitute
for care in safely placing, lashing or holding a ladder that is being used on
oily, metal, concrete or slippery surfaces.
(4) Pointed ladders may be used for window
cleaning. Rollers shall not be used at the point.
(5) 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.
(6) Each ladder shall be
inspected daily and those which developed defects shall be withdrawn from
service for repair or destruction and shall be tagged or marked "Danger, Do Not
Use." Improvised repairs shall not be made.
(7) Ladders shall be stored in such a manner
as to provide ease of access or inspection, and to prevent danger of accident
when withdrawing a ladder for use. Ladders, when not in use, shall be stored at
a location where they will not be exposed to the elements, but where there is
good ventilation. Wood ladders shall not be stored near radiators, stoves,
steam pipes, or other places subjected to excessive heat or dampness. Rungs
shall be kept free of grease and oil.
(8) Sectional ladders shall not be used by
more than one man at a time, or with ladder jacks and scaffold
planks.
(9) The top rest for the
ladder shall be rigid and shall have ample strength to support the applied
load. Ladders shall not be placed in front of doors unless the door is blocked
open, locked or guarded. They shall not be placed on boxes, barrels or other
unstable bases to obtain additional height.
(10) When ascending, working upon or
descending the ladder, the user shall face the ladder.
(11) The use of ladders with hooks attached,
to be hung on or over a parapet wall or other projection, shall not be
permitted in window cleaning.
(12)
(A) No employee shall be permitted to stand
on or work from the top 3 rungs of a ladder unless there are structural members
that provide a firm handhold or the employee is protected from falling by a
personal fall protection system (e.g., positioning device or fall restraint
system) in accordance with the requirements of Section
1670 of the Construction Safety
Orders.
(B) Stepladders. Employees
shall not sit, kneel, step or, stand on the pail shelf, topcap or the step
below the topcap of a stepladder.
EXCEPTION: Employees may stand on the step below the
topcap provided it is located 18 inches under the topcap.
NOTE: Tops of self supporting ladders shall not be
considered as a rung.
(13) No ladder shall be used where the base
of the ladder is above grade unless there is a safe means of access to the base
and adequate fastenings to prevent the ladder from slipping or
falling.
(14) Ladders shall not be
used on scaffolds to gain additional height.
(b) Specifications.
(1) Portable ladders shall comply with
Section 3276 of the General Industry Safety
Orders.
EXCEPTION: Refer to Section
3287(a)(1) for
maximum length.
(2) All
ladders shall be equipped with nonslip bases suitable to the bearing surface.
Middle and top sections shall not be used as bottom sections unless the user
equips them with nonslip bases.
1.
Editorial correction filed 10-7-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 83, No. 41).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)(5), (a)(11)
and new subsection (a)(14) filed 9-12-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 85, No. 37).
3. Amendment of subsections (b)(1) and
(b)(2), renumbering of subsection (b)(3) to subsection (b)(4), and new
subsection (b)(3) filed 3-9-93; operative 4-8-93 (Register 93, No.
11).
4. Redesignation and amendment of former subsection (a)(12) to
subsection (a)(12)(A) and new subsection (a)(12)(B) filed 3-31-2000; operative
4-30-2000 (Register 2000, No. 13).
5. Amendment of subsection
(b)(1), repealer of subsections (b)(2)-(3) and subsection renumbering filed
12-8-2010; operative 1-7-2011 (Register 2010, No. 50).
6. Amendment
of subsection (a)(12)(B) and new EXCEPTION filed 12-29-2011; operative
1-28-2012 (Register 2011, No. 52).
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
