Osha Requirements For Ladders On Roofs

Osha standards frequently cited during fy 2013 inspections of roofing contractors naics 238160 rank by number of citations issued categories standard 1 duty to have fall protection 1926 501 2 ladder safety 1926 1053 3 fall protection training requirements 1926 503 4 eye and face protection 1926 102 5 general scaffold requirements 1926 451 6 general safety and health provisions 1926 20.

Osha requirements for ladders on roofs. 1926 1053 a 4 ii the minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders shall be 11 1 2 inches 29 cm. Ladders must be secured correctly scaffolding erected correctly and strict attention paid to skylights or any holes in the roof all of which can lead to fatal falls. Although a current osha requirement our fall protection inspection teams see ladders that do not pass the simple climbing width regulation of a minimum of 16 inches. When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible or creates a greater hazard to use guardrail safety net or personal fall protection systems on residential roofs the employer must develop and implement a fall protection plan that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 502 k and training that meets the requirements of 29 cfr 1926 503 a and c.

The minimum clear distance between the sides of individual rung step ladders and the minimum clear distance between the side rails of other fixed ladders shall be 16 inches 41 cm. Occupational safety and health administration https www osha gov laws regs regulations standardnumber 1910 1910 23 9 11. That applies to both existing and new ladders. You can choose any pfas provided it meets the osha requirements in section 1926 502 d.

These ladder sections must be offset from adjacent sections and landing platforms must be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet 15 2 m. A ladder that is less than 24 feet high does not require a fall arrest system of any sort. 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. An osha study found that 99 percent of these accidents could have been avoided with the proper use of safety equipment.

Per osha 1910 23 b 4 ladder rungs steps and cleats have a minimum clear width of 16 inches measured before installation of ladder safety systems for fixed ladders. Or self retracting lifelines and rest platforms at intervals not to exceed 150 feet 45 7 m. 1910 23 e 2 ii mobile ladder stands with a top step height above 10 feet 3 m have the top step protected on three sides by a handrail with a vertical height of at least 36 inches 91 cm. 1 10 2020 1910 23 ladders.

And top steps that are 20 inches 51 cm or more front to back have a midrail and toeboard. Under the new regulations a ladder over 24 feet high will require a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system. Or a cage or well and multiple ladder sections with each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet 15 2 m in length.