Osha Roof Access Ladder Cage Requirements

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.

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. 1926 1053 a 21 i. 1926 1053 a 21 wells for fixed ladders shall conform to all of the following. Cages must extend 42 inches above the top of the landing.

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. 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. For parapet ladders the access level is. 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. The top of the cage shall be a minimum of 42 inches 1 1 m above the top of the platform or the point of access at the top of the ladder with provision for access to the platform or other point of access.

Cages must not extend less than 27 inches 68 cm or more than 30 inches 76 cm from. 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. 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 minimum amount of flare required at the bottom of the cage 4 inches. Several of the important changes are listed below.