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114 Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection
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114 Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection

Fixed Ladders

The employer must ensure:

Geigle Safety Group Infographic for Fixed Ladder Dimensions
Geigle Safety Group Infographic for Fixed Ladder Dimensions
Geigle Safety Group Infographic for Fixed Ladder Dimensions
Fixed Ladder are capable of supporting their maximum intended load.
  • Fixed ladders are capable of supporting their maximum intended load.
  • The minimum perpendicular distance from the steps or rungs, or grab bars, or both, to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder is 7 inches (18 cm) and 4.5 inches (11 cm) for pit ladders.
  • Grab bars do not protrude on the climbing side beyond the rungs of the ladder that they serve.
  • The side rails of through or sidestep ladders extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder.
Geigle Safety Group Infographic for Side Ladder Clearances
Geigle Safety Group Infographic for Side Ladder Clearances
Geigle Safety Group Infographic for Side Ladder Clearances
1910.23, Figure D-2. Side-Step Fixed Ladder Sections
  • For through ladders, the steps or rungs are omitted from the extensions, and the side rails are flared to provide not less than 24 inches (61 cm) and not more than 30 inches (76 cm) of clearance. When a ladder safety system is provided, the maximum clearance between side rails of the extension must not exceed 36 inches (91 cm).
  • For side-step ladders, the side rails, rungs, and steps must be continuous in the extension (see 1910.23, Figure D-2).
  • Individual-rung ladders are constructed to prevent the employee's feet from sliding off the ends of the rungs.
  • Fixed ladders having a pitch greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal are not used.

Climb Safely - Use Three-Point Control

Geigle Safety Group Image: 3-Point Control
Geigle Safety Group Image: Worker showing the 3-Point Control on a ladder.
Geigle Safety Group Image: 3-Point Control
3-point control technique requires a worker to use any three of his or her limbs for stable support.

Three-point-control vs. three-point-contact positioning: The three-point-control technique requires a worker to use any three of his or her four limbs for reliable, stable support.

Another requirement when using the three-point-control technique is that the hands must grasp the horizontal rung of the ladder. A horizontal grip allows the worker to hold their bodyweight and prevent a fall: the vertical grip will not.

The three-point-contact technique is not recommended for positioning because it only requires that any three body parts, not just hands or feet, must contact the ladder to maintain stability.

The three-point-control technique is the best method because the worker has both feet on the ladder and is gripping a horizontal rung, so they are much less likely to fall then if the hand is gripping a vertical rail or another body part is merely resting on a part of the ladder. Remember, when climbing:

  1. keep both feet at the same level, and
  2. maintain a horizontal one-hand grip (power grip) with fingers wrapped around the rung of the ladder.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-4. When using the three-point-control method to climb a ladder, be sure to _____.

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