Overhead & Gantry Cranes - Footwalks, Ladders, and Stairways

Employers must ensure that footwalks adhere to the following requirements:

• If there is sufficient headroom on cab-operated cranes, then a footwalk must be added (on the drive side) and run the entire length of the bridge of all cranes that have the trolley running atop the girders.
• Footwalks require 48 inches of headroom.
• Footwalks must be made "of rigid construction" and must support a distributed load of at minimum 50 pounds per square foot.
• Footwalks must have an anti-slip walking surface (wood is acceptable).
• Footwalk, toeboards, and handrails must comply with subpart D of 29 CFR §1910 (titled "Walking-Working Surfaces").
• Gantry cranes must have ladders or stairways that extend from the ground and reach either the footwalk or the platform of the cab.
• Stairways must have rigid metal handrails and anti-slip walking surfaces.
• Ladders must be permanently and securely fastened in place and constructed in compliance with 29 CFR §1910 Subpart D ("Walking-Working Surfaces").

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