Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1910.

27

(viii) See § 1910.333(c) for work prac- (v) The rungs of an individual-rung
tices to be used when work is per- ladder shall be so designed that the
formed on or near electric circuits. foot cannot slide off the end. A sug-
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43
gested design is shown in figure D–1.
FR 49745, Oct. 24, 1978; 49 FR 5321, Feb. 10,
1984; 55 FR 32014, Aug. 6, 1990]

§ 1910.27 Fixed ladders.

(a) Design requirements—(1) Design
considerations. All ladders, appur-
tenances, and fastenings shall be de-
signed to meet the following load re-
quirements:
(i) The minimum design live load
shall be a single concentrated load of
200 pounds.
(ii) The number and position of addi-
tional concentrated live-load units of
200 pounds each as determined from an-
ticipated usage of the ladder shall be
considered in the design.
(iii) The live loads imposed by per-
sons occupying the ladder shall be con- FIGURE D–1—SUGGESTED DESIGN FOR RUNGS
sidered to be concentrated at such ON INDIVIDUAL-RUNG LADDERS.
points as will cause the maximum (2) Side rails. Side rails which might
stress in the structural member being be used as a climbing aid shall be of
considered. such cross sections as to afford ade-
(iv) The weight of the ladder and at- quate gripping surface without sharp
tached appurtenances together with edges, splinters, or burrs.
the live load shall be considered in the (3) Fastenings. Fastenings shall be an
design of rails and fastenings. integral part of fixed ladder design.
(2) Design stresses. Design stresses for (4) Splices. All splices made by what-
wood components of ladders shall not ever means shall meet design require-
exceed those specified in § 1910.25. All ments as noted in paragraph (a) of this
wood parts of fixed ladders shall meet section. All splices and connections
the requirements of § 1910.25(b). shall have smooth transition with
For fixed ladders consisting of wood original members and with no sharp or
side rails and wood rungs or cleats, extensive projections.
used at a pitch in the range 75 degrees (5) Electrolytic action. Adequate means
to 90 degrees, and intended for use by shall be employed to protect dissimilar
no more than one person per section, metals from electrolytic action when
single ladders as described in such metals are joined.
§ 1910.25(c)(3)(ii) are acceptable. (6) Welding. All welding shall be in
(b) Specific features—(1) Rungs and accordance with the ‘‘Code for Welding
cleats. (i) All rungs shall have a min- in Building Construction’’ (AWSD1.0–
imum diameter of three-fourths inch 1966).
for metal ladders, except as covered in (7) Protection from deterioration. (i)
paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section and a Metal ladders and appurtenances shall
minimum diameter of 11⁄8 inches for be painted or otherwise treated to re-
wood ladders. sist corrosion and rusting when loca-
(ii) The distance between rungs, tion demands. Ladders formed by indi-
cleats, and steps shall not exceed 12 vidual metal rungs imbedded in con-
inches and shall be uniform throughout crete, which serve as access to pits and
the length of the ladder. to other areas under floors, are fre-
(iii) The minimum clear length of quently located in an atmosphere that
rungs or cleats shall be 16 inches. causes corrosion and rusting. To in-
(iv) Rungs, cleats, and steps shall be crease rung life in such atmosphere, in-
free of splinters, sharp edges, burrs, or dividual metal rungs shall have a min-
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 § 1910.27 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–07 Edition)

painted or otherwise treated to resist space, except when cages or wells are
corrosion and rusting. necessary.
(ii) Wood ladders, when used under (3) Ladders with cages or baskets. Lad-
conditions where decay may occur, ders equipped with cage or basket are
shall be treated with a nonirritating excepted from the provisions of sub-
preservative, and the details shall be paragraphs (1) and (2) of this para-
such as to prevent or minimize the ac- graph, but shall conform to the provi-
cumulation of water on wood parts. sions of paragraph (d)(1)(v) of this sec-
(iii) When different types of mate- tion. Fixed ladders in smooth-walled
rials are used in the construction of a wells are excepted from the provisions
ladder, the materials used shall be so of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph,
treated as to have no deleterious effect but shall conform to the provisions of
one upon the other. paragraph (d)(1)(vi) of this section.
(4) Clearance in back of ladder. The
distance from the centerline of rungs,
cleats, or steps to the nearest perma-
nent object in back of the ladder shall
be not less than 7 inches, except that
when unavoidable obstructions are en-
countered, minimum clearances as
shown in figure D–3 shall be provided.

MINIMUM LADDER CLEARANCES

FIGURE D–2—RAIL LADDER WITH BAR STEEL

RAILS AND ROUND STEEL RUNGS
(c) Clearance—(1) Climbing side. On
fixed ladders, the perpendicular dis-
tance from the centerline of the rungs
to the nearest permanent object on the FIGURE D–3—CLEARANCE FOR UNAVOIDABLE
climbing side of the ladder shall be 36 OBSTRUCTION AT REAR OF FIXED LADDER
inches for a pitch of 76 degrees, and 30 (5) Clearance in back of grab bar. The
inches for a pitch of 90 degrees (fig. D– distance from the centerline of the
2 of this section), with minimum clear- grab bar to the nearest permanent ob-
ances for intermediate pitches varying ject in back of the grab bars shall be
between these two limits in proportion not less than 4 inches. Grab bars shall
to the slope, except as provided in sub- not protrude on the climbing side be-
paragraphs (3) and (5) of this para- yond the rungs of the ladder which
graph. they serve.
(2) Ladders without cages or wells. A (6) Step-across distance. The step-
clear width of at least 15 inches shall across distance from the nearest edge
be provided each way from the center- of ladder to the nearest edge of equip-
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line of the ladder in the climbing ment or structure shall be not more
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 Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1910.27

than 12 inches, or less than 21⁄2 inches

(fig. D–4).

FIGURE D–5—DEFLECTOR PLATES FOR HEAD

HAZARDS

FIGURE D–4—LADDER FAR FROM WALL

(7) Hatch cover. Counterweighted
hatch covers shall open a minimum of
60 degrees from the horizontal. The dis-
tance from the centerline of rungs or FIGURE D–6—RELATIONSHIP OF FIXED LADDER
cleats to the edge of the hatch opening TO A SAFE ACCESS HATCH
on the climbing side shall be not less (iii) Cages shall extend a minimum of
than 24 inches for offset wells or 30 42 inches above the top of landing, un-
inches for straight wells. There shall be less other acceptable protection is pro-
not protruding potential hazards with- vided.
in 24 inches of the centerline of rungs (iv) Cages shall extend down the lad-
or cleats; any such hazards within 30 der to a point not less than 7 feet nor
inches of the centerline of the rungs or more than 8 feet above the base of the
cleats shall be fitted with deflector ladder, with bottom flared not less
plates placed at an angle of 60 degrees than 4 inches, or portion of cage oppo-
from the horizontal as indicated in fig- site ladder shall be carried to the base.
ure D–5. The relationship of a fixed lad- (v) Cages shall not extend less than
der to an acceptable counterweighted 27 nor more than 28 inches from the
hatch cover is illustrated in figure D–6. centerline of the rungs of the ladder.
(d) Special requirements—(1) Cages or Cage shall not be less than 27 inches in
wells. (i) Cages or wells (except on width. The inside shall be clear of pro-
chimney ladders) shall be built, as jections. Vertical bars shall be located
shown on the applicable drawings, cov- at a maximum spacing of 40 degrees
ered in detail in figures D–7, D–8, and around the circumference of the cage;
D–9, or of equivalent construction. this will give a maximum spacing of
(ii) Cages or wells (except as provided approximately 91⁄2 inches, center to
in subparagraph (5) of this paragraph) center.
conforming to the dimensions shown in (vi) Ladder wells shall have a clear
EC27OC91.006

figures D–7, D–8, and D–9 shall be pro- width of at least 15 inches measured
vided on ladders of more than 20 feet to each way from the centerline of the
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a maximum unbroken length of 30 feet. ladder. Smooth-walled wells shall be a

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 § 1910.27 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–07 Edition)

minimum of 27 inches from the center-

line of rungs to the well wall on the
climbing side of the ladder. Where
other obstructions on the climbing side
of the ladder exist, there shall be a
minimum of 30 inches from the center-
line of the rungs.

FIGURE D–7—CAGES FOR LADDERS MORE THAN

20 FEET HIGH

FIGURE D–8—CLEARANCE DIAGRAM FOR FIXED LADDER IN WELL

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 Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor § 1910.27

(3) Ladder extensions. The side rails of

through or side-step ladder extensions
shall extend 31⁄2 feet above parapets and
landings. For through ladder exten-
sions, the rungs shall be omitted from
the extension and shall have not less
than 18 nor more than 24 inches clear-
ance between rails. For side-step or off-
set fixed ladder sections, at landings,
the side rails and rungs shall be carried
to the next regular rung beyond or
above the 31⁄2 feet minimum (fig. D–10).

FIGURE D–9—CAGES—SPECIAL APPLICATIONS.

(2) Landing platforms. When ladders
are used to ascend to heights exceeding
20 feet (except on chimneys), landing
platforms shall be provided for each 30
feet of height or fraction thereof, ex-
cept that, where no cage, well, or lad-
der safety device is provided, landing
platforms shall be provided for each 20
feet of height or fraction thereof. Each
ladder section shall be offset from adja-
cent sections. Where installation con-
ditions (even for a short, unbroken
length) require that adjacent sections
be offset, landing platforms shall be
provided at each offset.
(i) Where a man has to step a dis-
tance greater than 12 inches from the
centerline of the rung of a ladder to the
nearest edge of structure or equipment,
a landing platform shall be provided. FIGURE D–10—OFFSET FIXED LADDER
The minimum step-across distance SECTIONS
shall be 21⁄2 inches. (4) Grab bars. Grab bars shall be
(ii) All landing platforms shall be spaced by a continuation of the rung
equipped with standard railings and spacing when they are located in the
toeboards, so arranged as to give safe horizontal position. Vertical grab bars
access to the ladder. Platforms shall be shall have the same spacing as the lad-
not less than 24 inches in width and 30 der side rails. Grab-bar diameters shall
inches in length. be the equivalent of the round-rung di-
(iii) One rung of any section of ladder ameters.
shall be located at the level of the (5) Ladder safety devices. Ladder safe-
landing laterally served by the ladder. ty devices may be used on tower, water
Where access to the landing is through tank, and chimney ladders over 20 feet
the ladder, the same rung spacing as in unbroken length in lieu of cage pro-
used on the ladder shall be used from tection. No landing platform is re-
the landing platform to the first rung quired in these cases. All ladder safety
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below the landing. devices such as those that incorporate

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 § 1910.28 29 CFR Ch. XVII (7–1–07 Edition)

lifebelts, friction brakes, and sliding § 1910.28 Safety requirements for scaf-
attachments shall meet the design re- folding.
quirements of the ladders which they (a) General requirements for all scaf-
serve. folds. (1) Scaffolds shall be furnished
(e) Pitch—(1) Preferred pitch. The pre- and erected in accordance with this
ferred pitch of fixed ladders shall be standard for persons engaged in work
considered to come in the range of 75 that cannot be done safely from the
degrees and 90 degrees with the hori- ground or from solid construction, ex-
zontal (fig. D–11). cept that ladders used for such work
shall conform to § 1910.25 and § 1910.26.
(2) The footing or anchorage for scaf-
folds shall be sound, rigid, and capable
of carrying the maximum intended
load without settling or displacement.
Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes,
loose brick, or concrete blocks shall
not be used to support scaffolds or
planks.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) Scaffolds and their components
shall be capable of supporting without
failure at least four times the max-
imum intended load.
(5) Scaffolds and other devices men-
tioned or described in this section shall
be maintained in safe condition. Scaf-
folds shall not be altered or moved
horizontally while they are in use or
occupied.
(6) Any scaffold damaged or weak-
ened from any cause shall be imme-
diately repaired and shall not be used
FIGURE D–11—PITCH OF FIXED LADDERS until repairs have been completed.
(2) Substandard pitch. Fixed ladders (7) Scaffolds shall not be loaded in
shall be considered as substandard if excess of the working load for which
they are installed within the sub- they are intended.
standard pitch range of 60 and 75 de- (8) All load-carrying timber members
grees with the horizontal. Substandard of scaffold framing shall be a minimum
fixed ladders are permitted only where of 1,500 f. (Stress Grade) construction
it is found necessary to meet condi- grade lumber. All dimensions are nomi-
tions of installation. This substandard nal sizes as provided in the American
pitch range shall be considered as a Lumber Standards, except that where
critical range to be avoided, if possible. rough sizes are noted, only rough or
(3) Scope of coverage in this section. undressed lumber of the size specified
will satisfy minimum requirements.
This section covers only fixed ladders
(NOTE: Where nominal sizes of lumber
within the pitch range of 60 degrees
are used in place of rough sizes, the
and 90 degrees with the horizontal.
nominal size lumber shall be such as to
(4) Pitch greater than 90 degrees. Lad- provide equivalent strength to that
ders having a pitch in excess of 90 de- specified in tables D–7 through D–12
grees with the horizontal are prohib- and D–16.)
ited. (9) All planking shall be Scaffold
(f) Maintenance. All ladders shall be Grade as recognized by grading rules
maintained in a safe condition. All lad- for the species of wood used. The max-
ders shall be inspected regularly, with imum permissible spans for 2- × 9-inch
the intervals between inspections being or wider planks are shown in the fol-
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determined by use and exposure. lowing table:

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