OSHA Climbing Safety

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) sets standards for workplace safety, including ladder and stairway-climbing safety. By creating these safety standards, OSHA ensures climbing safety and procedures for the workers that rely on the everyday use of ladders or stairs in their jobs.

Passage and Stair Requirements

• Under OSHA ladder safety procedures, when workers must go over an elevation of more than 19 inches and no ramp is present, a ladder or stairs must be made available. An access point must remain open at all times. If a passageway becomes restricted, a second exit down must be made available.

Ladder Safety

• Ladders must be well maintained. Fixed and portable ladders must have rungs between 10 and 14 inches apart, and base of extension trestle ladders and step stool must be between eight and 18 inches apart. Fixed ladders must be able to hold two loads of 250 lbs. at consecutive rungs. Cages or other safety devices are required for fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet.

Stairs

• Stairways used by worker must have a safety rail if it rises more than 30 inches or has more than four steps. Handrails must be able to sustain 200 pounds of weight. Temporary stairs for construction must not be spiral and must have a landing for every 12 feet of climbing.