Osha Roof Hatch Ladder Requirements

For fixed ladders consisting of wood side rails and wood rungs or cleats used at a pitch in the range 75 degrees to 90 degrees and intended for use by no more than one person per section single ladders as described in 1910 25 c 3 ii are acceptable.

Osha roof hatch ladder requirements.

Figure d 3 example of counterbalanced hatch cover at roof. The key is that each must meet the minimum osha requirements outlined in section 1926 502 d of the osha codes. You can choose any pfas provided it meets the osha requirements in section 1926 502 d. Section 1910 28 establishes the employer s duty to provide fall protection for employees on fixed ladders and 1910 29 specifies the criteria for fall protection systems for fixed ladders.

Osha also notes that 1910 28 b 9 ii a requires that employers must ensure that a fixed ladder equipped with a personal fall arrest or ladder safety system on more than one section provides protection for the entire vertical distance of the ladder including all ladder sections. Under the new regulations a ladder over 24 feet high will require a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system. 1910 23 open roof hatches should be protected. 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.

Figure d 2 slide step fixed ladder sections. If you are wondering when a fixed ladder requires fall protection which forms of ladder fall protection are osha compliant or if ladder cages still comply with osha s revised ruling we have just the post for you. 07 12 2000 1910 23 osha requires fall protection for elevator work when a fall hazard is present. Also the american national standards institute ansi standard a14 3 1992 safety requirements for fixed ladders section 5 2 3 1 extensions for individual rung ladders stipulates that the general requirement for extension of the ladder above the access egress level does not apply to ladders intended for manholes and terminations with hatches.

The new osha general industry fall protection regulations that went into effect in 2017 are prompting a slew of questions on fixed ladders. Roof hatch protection is addressed by osha standard 26 cfr 1910 23 entitled guarding floor and wall openings and holes full text of this standard is available online at www osha gov. Fixed ladders shall be provided with cages wells ladder safety devices or self retracting lifelines where the length of climb is less than 24 feet 7 3 m but the top of the ladder is at a distance greater than 24 feet 7 3 m above lower levels. As seen in the picture below featuring new ladder system we recommend a wider climbing surface to accommodate a ladder lifeline system and to make the ladder easier to climb.

All wood parts of fixed ladders shall meet the requirements of 1910 25 b. Grab bars not required at hatch exits.