Vertical ladders have specific safety requirements to prevent falls and ensure worker safety. These requirements cover fall protection, cage specifications, and adherence to OSHA regulations.

OSHA mandates that fixed ladders with a climb length of 24 feet or more must be equipped with one of the following:

• Ladder safety devices
• Self-retracting lifelines with rest platforms at intervals not exceeding 150 feet
• A cage or well, with ladder sections not exceeding 50 feet in length and landing platforms at maximum intervals of 50 feet

[1] Cages for fixed ladders must conform to the following:

• Horizontal bands fastened to the side rails of rail ladders or directly to the structure for individual-rung ladders
• Vertical bars on the inside of the horizontal bands, fastened to them
• Cages extending not less than 27 inches (68 cm) or more than 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung, and not less than 27 inches (68 cm) in width
• The inside of the cage clear of projections

[1] Additionally, the side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders must extend 42 inches above the top of the access level or landing platform. [2]

For through-fixed-ladder extensions, steps or rungs should be omitted from the extension, and the side rails should flare to provide a clearance between 24 and 30 inches. If ladder safety devices are present, the maximum clearance between side rails can be up to 36 inches. [2]