Ladder Fall Protection Requirements

This document outlines the requirements for fall protection when using ladders, according to OSHA and related safety standards. It specifies the heights at which fall protection is required, the types of systems to be used, and other relevant safety measures.

General Requirements for Fixed Ladders

For fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet (7.3 m) above a lower level, employers must ensure that these ladders are equipped with fall protection. This can be achieved through various means, depending on the date of installation or replacement of the ladder. [3] [3]

Fall Protection Systems for Fixed Ladders

Several options exist for providing fall protection on fixed ladders:

• Existing Fixed Ladders: Fixed ladders installed before November 19, 2018, must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system, ladder safety system, cage, or well.
• New Fixed Ladders: Fixed ladders installed on or after November 19, 2018, must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system.
• Replacement: When any portion of a fixed ladder, cage, or well is replaced, a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system must be installed in the section where the replacement occurs.

[3] [3] [3]

Specific Requirements for Ladder Safety Systems

Ladder safety systems must meet specific criteria to ensure their effectiveness:

• The system must allow the employee to climb up and down using both hands, without needing to continuously hold, push, or pull any part of the system.
• The connection between the carrier or lifeline and the body harness or belt should not exceed 9 inches (23 cm).
• Mountings for rigid carriers must be attached at each end, with intermediate mountings spaced appropriately to ensure the system can stop employee falls.
• Mountings for flexible carriers are attached at each end, and cable guides are installed at intervals of at least 25 feet (7.6 m) but no more than 40 feet (12.2 m).
• The design and installation of mountings and cable guides must not reduce the ladder's structural strength.
• Ladder safety systems and their support systems must withstand a drop test consisting of an 18-inch (41-cm) drop of a 500-pound (227-kg) weight without failure.

[2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2]

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

When using personal fall arrest systems, ensure that body belts, harnesses, and other components meet the requirements specified in § 1910.140. [2]

Additional Considerations for Fixed Ladders

• Rest platforms should be provided at maximum intervals of 150 feet (45.7 m) when a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system is used throughout the entire vertical distance of the ladder.
• For ladder sections with cages or wells, landing platforms should be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet (15.2 m), and sections should be offset from adjacent sections.
• Cages or wells can be used in combination with personal fall arrest systems or ladder safety systems, provided they do not interfere with the system's operation.

[1] [1] [1] [1] Requirements for Scaffolds

Fall protection is required for employees on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level. The type of fall protection varies depending on the type of scaffold. [5]

Types of Fall Protection for Scaffolds

• Boatswain's chair, catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold, or ladder jack scaffold: Use a personal fall arrest system.
• Single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold: Use both a personal fall arrest system and a guardrail system.
• Crawling board (chicken ladder): Use a personal fall arrest system, a guardrail system (with minimum 200-pound toprail capacity), or a three-fourth inch (1.9 cm) diameter grabline.
• Self-contained adjustable scaffold: Use a guardrail system when the platform is supported by the frame structure, and both a personal fall arrest system and a guardrail system when the platform is supported by ropes.
• Walkway within a scaffold: Use a guardrail system installed within 9½ inches (24.1 cm) of and along at least one side of the walkway.
• Overhand bricklaying operations from a supported scaffold: Use a personal fall arrest system or guardrail system on all open sides and ends of the scaffold (except at the side next to the wall being laid).
• Other scaffolds: Use personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems.

[5] [5] [8] [8] [8] [8] [8] Personal Fall Arrest System Details

Key requirements for personal fall arrest systems include:

• Maximum free fall distance must not exceed 6 feet (1.8 m). However, a free fall may exceed 6 feet if the manufacturer designed the system to allow it and tested the system to ensure a maximum arresting force of 1,800 pounds (8 kN) is not exceeded.
• Body belts are prohibited as part of a personal fall arrest system; only body harnesses are allowed.
• The system must limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN) when used with a body harness.
• The system must bring an employee to a complete stop and limit the maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet (1.07 m).
• Anchorages must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached or be designed with a safety factor of at least two under the supervision of a qualified person.
• Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards must meet specific tensile load requirements depending on whether they limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less.

[4] [4] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6] Ladder Safety Devices

Ladder safety devices for fixed ladders must conform to specific requirements:

• They must withstand a drop test consisting of an 18-inch (41 cm) drop of a 500-pound (226 kg) weight without failure.
• They must allow the employee to ascend or descend without continually holding, pushing, or pulling any part of the device, keeping both hands free for climbing.
• They must activate within 2 feet (0.61 m) after a fall occurs and limit the descending velocity to 7 feet/sec (2.1 m/sec) or less.
• The connection between the carrier or lifeline and the body belt or harness must not exceed 9 inches (23 cm) in length.

[7] [7] [7] [7] Conclusion

Understanding and adhering to these guidelines is crucial for ensuring workplace safety when using ladders and scaffolds. Employers must provide appropriate fall protection systems and ensure that employees are properly trained in their use.

Safety powered by SALUS