Osha Roof Access Ladder Requirements

Fall protection when a worker may need to go closer than 6 to a roof edge varying roof heights a worker may need to cross greater than 19 high window washing safely accessing roofs with ladders either fixed or not.

Osha roof access ladder requirements.

Osha requires that this distance be no greater than 3 5 feet 29 cfr 1926 502 d 16 iv but it may be less for some pfas equipment. Things you need to watch out for. Ladder safety devices and related support systems for fixed ladders the connection between the carrier or lifeline and the point of attachment to the body belt or harness must not exceed 9 inches 23 cm in length. 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.

Here are the basics of the requirements. 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. 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. You can choose any pfas provided it meets the osha requirements in section 1926 502 d.

Here is the osha guide on fall protection. This is the same height that osha requires for guardrails. What about landing platforms. Cages must extend 42 inches above the top of the landing.

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. Note that this is more than the 3 feet a portable ladder needs to extend above a landing or the 3 feet high a hand grab has to be for a portable ladder. A ladder that is less than 24 feet high does not require a fall arrest system of any sort. Through fixed ladders at their point of access egress shall have a step across distance of not less than 7 inches 18 cm nor more than 12 inches 30 cm as measured from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest edge of the landing area.

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. All wood parts of fixed ladders shall meet the requirements of 1910 25 b. How far the d ring shifts and the harness stretches when it supports the full weight of a fallen worker including the weight of tool belts and other attached equipment or tools.

Under the new regulations a ladder over 24 feet high will require a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system.