Osha Fixed Ladder Cage Requirements

The new osha general industry fall protection regulations that went into effect in 2017 are prompting a slew of questions on fixed ladders.

Osha fixed ladder cage requirements.

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. 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. Note to paragraph d. 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.

Fixed ladders without cages must now have a landing platform at maximum intervals of 150 feet. A cage was defined as an enclosure that is fastened to the side rails of the fixed ladder or to the structure to encircle the climbing space of the ladder for the safety of the person who must climb the ladder note that the definition didn t specify. Or a cage or well and multiple ladder sections with each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet 15 2 m in. 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.

The new regulations change this requirement dramatically. 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. Osha 1910 21 regulations stipulated that fixed ladders more than 20 ft needed a cage. 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.

Figure d 2 slide step fixed ladder sections. 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. Fixed ladders more than 20 feet 6 1 m in height shall be provided with a cage well or ladder safety device. 1910 27 e pitch 1910 27 e 1 preferred pitch the preferred pitch of fixed ladders shall be considered to come in the range of 75 degrees and 90 degrees with the.

Ladders newly installed or altered after november 19 2018 require a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system. 1910 28 b 9 ii b ladders with cages must now have a landing platform at maximum inter. 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.