Caged Ladder Standards
In the past osha has required cages for fixed ladders taller than 20 feet but as of january 2017 fall protection is required on fixed ladders.
Caged ladder standards. The 3 4 inch diameter ladder rungs are spaced 12 inches on center and welded to the 2 5 inch wide side rails. A cage also is called a cage guard or basket guard osha carrier. Cages must extend 42 inches above the top of the landing. Cages start between 7 and 8 feet from the ground and extend beyond the top rung by 42 with a walk through exit.
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. Fixed ladders without cages must now have a landing platform at maximum intervals of 150 feet. Fixed ladders provide stability when ascending to an elevated work surface because they are fastened to the building or a secure surface. Optional security cover prevents unauthorized access.
The track of a ladder safety system that consists of a flexible cable or rigid rail attached to the fixed ladder or immediately adjacent to it osha. It covers five rungs and is secured by two hooks at. Ladder and cage come unassembled for mounting flexibility and lower freight costs. Note to paragraph d.
The ladder of steel construction is exactly 24 feet in height 18 inches in width and terminated at the roof scuttle. A cage or well on a fixed ladder prevents lateral movement containing the individual climbing the ladder and offering the comfort of a surrounding safeguard. Previously a fixed ladder with a cage required a landing platform at a maximum interval of 30 feet. The ladder contains no safety cage or other means of fall prevention.
For starters prior to the new ruling the only real guidance on fixed ladders came from the construction standards osha more 1926 1053 a 18 required the use of cages wells ladder safety devices or self retracting lifelines for fixed ladders of 24 feet or more. Here are the basics of the requirements. The regulations say that if a fixed ladder is taller than 20 feet you are required to have a cage which meets all the requirements of 29 cfr 1910 27 d. Fixed ladder that is designed to surround the climbing space of the ladder.
Osha requires a cage when the distance from the floor to the top rung is more than 20 feet. What s changed for fixed ladder standards under osha 1910. The new regulations change this requirement dramatically. The requirement for a cage comes when you have a fixed ladder longer than 20 feet.
1910 28 b 9 ii b ladders with cages must now have a landing platform at maximum inter. American national standards for ladders fixed safety requirements the safety standard for fixed ladders contains an entire section devoted to these enclosures.