OSHA Alert: New Ladder Safety Rules Are Almost Here

Climbing a ladder may seem like a simple task. But improper and unsafe use of ladders in manufacturing facilities leads to injuries and fatalities. OSHA recently updated its walking and working surfaces standard in part to help address ladder safety.

The American Ladder Institute estimates that about 500,000 ladder accidents occur annually in this country, resulting in almost 300 fatalities and $11 billion in injury costs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says 20 percent of all fatal and lost workday injuries in general industry are due to falls from ladders.

“Every year there are 300 ladder-related deaths and thousands of disabling injuries related to ladders,” said Ryan Moss, president of the American Ladder Institute and CEO of Little Giant Ladder Systems, in an article in EHS Today. “Without better training and continuous innovation in safety, planning and product design, we will continue to see far too many fatalities.”

OSHA Updates Ladder Safety Standard

The OSHA standard for ladders (29 CFR 1926.1053) describes the safety requirements for working with and maintaining different kinds of fixed and portable ladders. It includes details like the weight loads, the allowable space between rungs and when cages are required.

“In general, ladders must be capable of supporting their maximum intended load, while mobile ladder stands and platforms must be capable of supporting four times their maximum intended load,” writes OSHA. “Each ladder must be inspected before initial use in a work shift to identify defects that could cause injury.”

Ladder safety is also covered under the general industry standard for Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems, with ladders covered under 29 CFR 1910.23, Subpart D. OSHA recently updated the standard, with many of the changes going into effect in January 2017. Updates related to ladders, however, will go into effect Nov. 19, 2018.

“The new rule phases in a requirement for employers to have ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems for fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet, and phases out the use of cages or wells for fall protection,” says OSHA. The timeline for the ladder changes is:

• Within two years, all new fixed ladders and replacement ladder/ladder sections must have a ladder safety or personal fall protection system.
• Within two years, employers must install a cage, well, ladder safety system, or personal fall arrest system on existing fixed ladders that do not have any fall protection.
• Within 20 years, all ladders extending more than 24 feet must have a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.

For portable ladders, OSHA says, “employers must ensure that: rungs and steps are slip resistant; portable ladders used on slippery surfaces are secured and stabilized; portable ladders are not moved, shifted, or extended while a worker is on them; top steps and caps of stepladders are not used as steps; ladders are not fastened together to provide added length unless designed for such use; and ladders are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain added height.”

The updated rule also requires that employees be trained on safely using ladders.

“Required training is task- and equipment-specific for any employee who uses fall protection or equipment specified under Subpart D,” notes J.J. Keller & Associates. “For example, a worker who uses a fixed ladder must be trained on how to use the personal fall protection system required when climbing the ladder, as well as safe climbing techniques.”

Confused about fall protection? Get some clarity in the article: “3 Tips for Preventing Falls from Height at Work.”

Are you prepared for the new ladder safety regulations?