Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(B) Definitions.
(1) "Cleat ladder" means a ladder consisting
of one section having two side rails and steps formed of cleats attached to the
side rails with fillers between the cleats.
(2) "Extension ladder" means a portable
ladder, adjustable in length. It consists of two or more sections traveling in
guides or brackets so arranged as to permit length adjustment. Its size is
designated by the sum of the lengths of the sections measured along the side
rails.
(3) 'Extension trestle
ladder" means a portable ladder consisting of an "A" or trestle ladder with an
additional vertical single ladder, having parallel sides, which adjustable
perpendicularly and is provided with a device to lock it into place. Its size
is designated by the length of the trestle ladder base.
(4) "Fixed ladder", as used in this rule,
means a ladder is securely fastened in a fixed position, whether to remain as
part of the structure or for use during a part or all of the construction
period.
(5) "Ladder" means a piece
of equipment usually consisting of two side rails joined at regular intervals
by cross-pieces called steps, treads, rungs, or cleats, on which employee may
step in ascending or descending.
(6) "Sectional ladder" means a portable
ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of two or more sections so
constructed that the sections may be combined to function as a single ladder.
Its size is designated by the over-all length of the assembled
sections.
(7) "Single ladder" means
a portable, nonadjustable ladder consisting of but one section.
(8) "Step ladder" means a self-supporting
portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, having flat steps or treads and a
hinged back. Its size is designated by the overall length of the ladder
measured along the front edge of the side.
(9) "Trestle, or 'A', ladder" means a
self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of two
sections hinged at the top of form equal angles with the base. The size is
designated by the length of the side rail measured along the front
edge.
(C) General
requirements for all ladders.
(1)
Construction.
All ladders shall be constructed of wood, metal, or other
equivalent material and shall be capable of supporting all loads without
failure with a factor of safety of no less than four,
except that each extra-heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic/ composite ladder
shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load.
(a) Side rails.
(i) Side rails shall be parallel or shall
vary uniformly in separation along the length (tapered) of the ladder or shall
flare at the base. The design of the side rails shall be such that the ladder
will conform to the specific safety requirements of this rule.
(ii) Wood side rails shall be of sound
material free from shakes, cross grain, checks or decay. Knots shall not exceed
one-half-inch diameter and shall not be nearer than one-half inch to the edge
of the rail or within three inches of the rung, step, or tread.
(b) Rungs, steps, cleats, or
treads.
All rungs, steps, cleats, or treads shall have a uniform
spacing which shall be no less than ten and no more than fourteen inches on
center.
(2)
Defective ladders.
Defective ladders shall be repaired to meet original
specifications or shall be withdrawn from service. Cleats shall not be used to
repair rung ladders.
(D) Portable ladders.
(1) General requirements for all portable
ladders.
(a) Metal rungs, steps, or treads.
All metal rungs, steps or treads shall be corrugated, knurled,
dimpled, or coated with skid-resistant material.
(b) Safety shoes, spikes, or spurs.
All portable ladders shall be equipped with safety shoes, metal
spikes, or spurs. Safety shoes shall be surfaced with cork, carborundum,
rubber, or other material with equivalent coefficient of friction. This does
not apply to step ladders, lash ladders, or hook ladders.
(c) Hook ladders.
Ladders designed for use by hooking shall be equipped with two
or more substantial metal hooks at the top of the ladder. (For chicken or roof
ladders, see paragraph (H) of rule
4123:1-3-09 of
the Administrative Code.)
(d) Ladders shall not be placed in
passageways, doorways, driveways, or any locations where they may be displaced
by activities being conducted on any other work, unless protected by barricades
or guards.
(e) Portable metal
ladders shall not be used for electrical work or where they may contact
electrical conductors.
(2) Extension ladders.
Extension ladders shall be equipped with two automatic locks of
malleable iron, cast aluminum or equivalent material attached to the side rails
of the upper extension and of such construction as to make the extension ladder
equal in strength to a ladder constructed of continuous side rails.
(3) Step ladders.
A substantial spreader shall be provided on step ladders to
hold the ladder in the open position
(4) Sectional ladders.
(a) Sectional ladders shall not exceed
thirty-seven feet in extended length.
(b) The distance between rungs shall be
twelve inches on centers.
(c)
Adjacent sections shall be joined by means of groove in the ends of each rail
of each section so that the two sections of the ladder enjoined are set
together firmly, the grooves of the rails of one section gripping the rung
inside or adjacent extensions of the rung outside of the adjoining section. The
fit between rail grooves and rungs shall provide a good fit without binding or
unnecessary play.
(d) The grooved
ends of the sections shall be reinforced with a steel plate no less than
eighteen-gauge steel (manufacturing standard) properly secured thereto, and a
rivet adjacent to the groove, extending through the depth of the rail, or the
equivalent reinforcement.
(5) Trestle and extension trestle ladders.
(a) The width between the side rails at the
base of the trestle ladder and base sections of the extension trestle ladder
shall be no less than twenty-one inches for all ladders and sections up to and
including six feet. Longer lengths shall be increased no less than one inch for
each additional foot of length. The width between the side rails of the
extension sections of the trestle ladder shall be no less than twelve
inches.
(b) The tops of the side
rails of the trestle ladder and of the base section of the extension trestle
ladder shall be beveled, or of equivalent construction and shall be provided
further with a metal hinge to prevent spreading.
(c) A metal spreader or locking device to
hold the front and back sections in an open position, and to hold the extension
section securely in the elevated position shall be a component of all extension
trestle ladders and all trestle ladders over twelve feet in length.
(d) Where a single rung support holds an
entire rung of the upper extension and the support is attached to both side
rails of the lower section, two automatic locks shall not be
required.
(e) Rungs shall be
parallel and level. On the trestle ladder, or on the base sections of the
extension trestle ladder, rungs shall be spaced no less than eight inches or
more than eighteen inches apart; on the extension section of the extension
trestle ladder, rungs shall be spaced no less than six inches or more than
twelve inches apart.
(f) Trestle
ladders or extension sections or base sections of extension trestle ladders
shall be no more than twenty feet in length.
(g) The minimum distance between side rails
of the trestle or extension sections or base sections at the narrowest point
shall be no less than twelve inches. The width spread shall be no less than one
inch per foot of length of side rail.
(E) Fixed ladders that can not be readily
moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure.
(1) Maintained in place.
Fixed ladders shall be provided and maintained in place until
temporary or permanent stairways are ready for use.
(2) Fixed ladders exceeding fifty feet in
length.
Ladder landings (rest platforms) shall be installed on fixed
ladders each fifty feet or major fraction thereof in length. This shall not
apply to water towers, masts, smokestacks, or material hoists.
(3) Fixed ladder landings.
All fixed ladder landings shall be equipped with standard guard
railing, intermediate rail and toeboards. The platform of such landings shall
be no less than twenty four inches in width.
(4) Extension of side rail above landing.
At least one side rail of fixed ladders to landings shall
extend a distance of no less than thirty-six inches above the landing. The
rungs may be omitted above the landing. Where an employee must step a greater
distance than twelve inches from the ladder to the roof, structure, etc., a
landing shall be provided.
(5) Vertical distance between landing and top
rung.
The vertical distance between the platform of the landing and
the top rungs of the fixed ladder shall not exceed the rung spacing of the
fixed ladder.
(F) Ladders constructed on the job.
Ladders constructed on the job shall comply with the provisions
of paragraphs (C) (1) of this rule and the following table. (See appendix to
this rule for examples of ladders constructed on the job.)
Single section cleat construction ladders
|
|
Min. Inside Width
|
Max. Inside Width
|
Nominal Cross Section of Rails
|
Nominal Cross Section of Cleats
|
|
Up to 16' (feet)
|
20"
|
24"
|
2" × 4"
|
1" × 3"
|
|
More than 16' (feet); up to 24' (feet)
|
20"
|
24"
|
2" × 6"
|
1" × 4"
|
Click to
view Appendix
