Osha Fixed Ladder Cage Requirements

If you are wondering when a fixed ladder requires fall protection which forms of ladder fall protection are osha compliant or if ladder cages still comply with osha s revised ruling we have just the post for you.

Osha fixed ladder cage requirements.

Or a cage or well and multiple ladder sections with each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet 15 2 m in. All ladder safety devices such as those that incorporate lifebelts friction brakes and sliding attachments shall meet the design requirements of the ladders which they serve. Previously a fixed ladder with a cage required a landing platform at a maximum interval of 30 feet. Figure d 3 example of counterbalanced hatch cover at roof.

The new osha general industry fall protection regulations that went into effect in 2017 are prompting a slew of questions on fixed ladders. 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. Ladders newly installed or altered after november 19 2018 require a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system. For existing fixed or permanently mounted ladders that extend 24 feet above a lower level osha developed a timeline to phase out the use of ladder cages as a means of fall protection.

1917 118 e 2 when a well or cage is used ladders with length of climb exceeding 30 feet 9 14 m shall comply with the following provisions. Note to paragraph d. Cages are not permissible as a means of fall protection for new fixed ladders erected on or after november 19 2018 as a personal fall arrest or a ladder safety system must be installed in accordance with 1910 28 b 9 i b. Osha 1910 21 regulations stipulated that fixed ladders more than 20 ft needed a cage.

The new regulations change this requirement dramatically. Fixed ladders without cages must now have a landing platform at maximum intervals of 150 feet. If the total length of the climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet 7 3 m the ladder must be equipped with ladder safety devices. Fixed ladders more than 20 feet 6 1 m in height shall be provided with a cage well or ladder safety device.

Figure d 2 slide step fixed ladder sections. 1910 28 b 9 ii b ladders with cages must now have a landing platform at maximum inter. Fixed ladders shall be provided with cages wells ladder safety devices or self retracting lifelines where the length of climb is less than 24 feet 7 3 m but the top of the ladder is at a distance greater than 24 feet 7 3 m above lower levels.