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OSHA Ladder Safety

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has developed a comprehensive set of standards for ladder use. The safety rules cover ladder placement, slip avoidance and loads. Ladder structure, including those constructed at the job site, is also covered by OSHA. Fold-out, leaning and stepladders must follow the same general rules with a few exceptions.

  1. Placement

    • Ladders must be placed in a stable and secure position to prevent injury. Ladders must be placed on a dry, level surface at an angle sufficient to support loads. All areas around the top bottom of the ladder should be kept clear. Ladders in high-traffic areas should be secured to avoid movement.

      Each of the rails on leaning ladders, unless with a single support attachment, must be equally supported. Leaning ladders must also be placed so that the horizontal distance of the base is at a ratio of one foot to every four feet of vertical distance from the support. For wooden ladders made at the job site, this ratio should be one foot horizontally for every eight feet of height. In addition, ladders may not to be tied together unless designed to do so.

    Slipping

    • Steps and rungs must be clean, dry and free of slipping hazards. When climbing, users should always face the ladder and keep at least one hand on the rail. Do not move, adjust or extend the ladder when climbing. Wood ladders cannot be covered with any opaque covering except for for identification and warning labels, which can be placed only on one side rail.

    Loads

    • Do not carry overly heavy objects when climbing. Both fold-out and leaning ladders must be placed at an angle where at least four times the maximum load can be supported; for extra-heavy-duty metal or plastic ladders, 3.3 times the maximum load.

    Structure

    • Rungs, cleats and steps must be spaced between 10 and 14 inches apart on the side rails; between 8 inches and 12 inches wide; skid-resistant; and parallel and evenly spaced.

      All ladder parts must be smoothed to prevent injuries or clothing snags. Step and folding ladders must have a locking device or metal spreader to keep the ladder in place.

    Damaged or Defective

    • Damaged ladders must be tagged "do not use" immediately. This includes ladders with split rails, damaged parts and missing or broken rungs or steps. The condition of repaired ladders must be as originally designed. Single-rail ladders may not be used.

    Constructed On-Site

    • Wooden ladders with spliced side rails must be placed so that the horizontal distance of the ladder is 1/8 its working length. A spliced side rail must have the same strength as a single piece side rail of the same material.

    Other Requirements

    • Do not stand on the top step of a ladder or step ladder. Nonconductive side rails must be used when exposure to electricity is possible.

      If more than one ladder is used to reach a work area, the ladders must be offset with a landing between the ladders. When ladders are the only access to a work area for 25 or more employees, the ladders must be separated by a landing.

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