Osha Roof Access Ladder Cage Requirements

Cages must extend 42 inches above the top of the landing.

Osha roof access ladder cage requirements. Osha s new ruling was designed in part to create more uniformity between the general industry and construction 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 taller than or that extend beyond 24 feet. This is the same height that osha requires for guardrails. 1926 1053 a 21 wells for fixed ladders shall conform to all of the following.

For fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet 7 3 m above a lower level 29 cfr 1910 28 b 9 i requires that each fixed ladder installed before november 19 2018 is equipped with a personal fall arrest system ladder safety system cage or well and each fixed ladder installed after this date is equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system. Cages must not extend less than 27 inches 68 cm or more than 30 inches 76 cm from. Literal compliance with osha s standard therefore would require a safety cage or well but see the answer to question 4 below for the current status of this standard. For parapet ladders the access level is.

Horizontal bands must be fastened to the side rails of rail ladders or directly to the structure building or equipment. 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. The side rails of through or sidestep ladders extend at least 42 inches 1 1 m above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder. 1926 1053 a 21 i.

1910 23 d 4 i the roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage through the parapet. Vertical bars must be on the inside of the horizontal bands and must be fastened to them. The minimum amount of flare required at the bottom of the cage 4 inches. Per osha 1910 23 d 4 the side rails of through or sidestep ladders must extend 42 inches above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder.

To protect the worker exiting a ladder osha requires a 42 inch high grab bar extension above the access level or landing platform at the top of the ladder. The standard states that safety cages or wells shall be provided on ladders of more than 20 feet to a maximum unbroken length of 30 feet.