Fixed Ladders

Fixed ladders are those that are permanently attached to a structure, building, or equipment. They are non-self-supporting and non-adjustable in length. Fixed ladders are primarily used in industrial settings.

In the Walking Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems Final Rule, OSHA prohibits qualified climbers in outdoor advertising to climb fixed ladders on billboards without fall protection. OSHA is now phasing in the requirement that fixed ladders over 24 feet be equipped with ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems.

Outdoor advertising employers must follow the fall protection phase-in timeline for fixed ladders. However, if ladders do not have any fall protection, outdoor advertising employers have 2 years to comply with the existing standard; or, instead, they may install a ladder safety system or personal fall arrest system, both of which are cheaper than cages or wells.

All fixed ladders must comply with the safety requirements set by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.28. These requirements include the following:

• The ladder must be able to support at least two loads of 250 pounds on any two consecutive points of attachment.
• The ladder must be able to withstand rigging, impact loads, and various weather conditions, such as wind and ice.
• The ladder must extend at least 42 inches above an access level or landing platform, either by continuation of the rungs or by the inclusion of vertical grab bars.
• The pitch must be between 60 degrees and 90 degrees from the horizontal. The preferred pitch is between 75 degrees and 90 degrees from the horizontal.

In addition, the following safety requirements apply to the rungs and cleats on a fixed ladder:

• The rungs must be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced.
• Each rung or step must be able to support at least 250 pounds. applied to the middle of the rung or step.
• All rungs must have a minimum diameter of three-fourths of an inch for metal ladders and 1 and one-eighths inches for wood ladders.
• Rungs cannot be more than 12 inches apart.
• Rungs must be at least 16 inches long.
• Rungs, cleats, and steps should be free of splinters, sharp edges, burrs, or projections that may be hazardous.
• Rungs should be shaped to prevent slipping. The rungs or steps of any metal fixed ladder must be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or treated to minimize slipping.

To learn more about Walking Working Surfaces visit our Walking Working Surfaces & Personal Fall Protection Systems Online Training web page.