Guarding Of Access Openings To Fixed Ladders

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the requirements for guarding access openings to fixed ladders.

Guarding of access openings to fixed ladders. Inspections may be required more frequently depending on the organization s requirements or the exposure of the ladder to elements such as weather or salt air. 1910 23 guarding of ladderway floor openings 04 27 2012. 1910 27 information on fixed ladders and cages. Guarding of access openings to fixed ladders the purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the requirements for guarding access openings to fixed ladders.

Inspect fixed ladders periodically at least annually. 1910 23 guarding of access openings to fixed ladders. Differences in the regulatory text between paragraphs 1910 23 a 2 and 1910 23 c 1 and silence on this issue in paragraph 1910 23 c 2 and in the fixed ladder standard at 1910 27 have led to some confusion. Simply put if you have a fixed ladder access to a floor or platform four feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level whether it is through an opening in the platform or along the edge the access point to that floor or platform must be guarded by either an acceptable swing gate or a railing offset so the person cannot walk directly into that opening.

2009 09 29 2009 guarding of access openings to fixed ladders. Inspect the fixed ladder before each use. Maximum horizontal spacing requirements for extensions. Protect workers from falls.

2006 09 28 2006 guarding requirements for skylights and grandfather provisions for buildings constructed over twenty years ago. These options for fixed ladders affix over the lower portion of the ladder body and are locked in place to deter use by removing access to rungs and handholds. Offset platforms between fixed ladders used only for passing through not a work area may use a single bar gate. A work platform that is accessed by a fixed ladder without a cage may not use a single bar gate at the access opening and must be guarded by a gate equivalent to a guardrail system or a guardrail system so offset that a person cannot walk directly into the opening.

1910 23 guarding requirements for skylights and grandfather provisions for buildings constructed over twenty years ago. By locking up at the end of a shift the risk of an intruder gaining access to your worksite heights is greatly reduced. Keep the record of every inspection. 1910 27 guarding of access openings to fixed ladders.

1910 27 fixed ladders must be retrofitted to meet 1910 27 design requirements. Differences in the regulatory text between paragraphs 1910 23 a 2 and 1910 23 c 1 and silence on this issue in paragraph 1910 23 c 2 and in the fixed ladder standard at 1910 27 have led to some confusion.