503 EM 385-1-1 SECTIONS 20-26

24.B Ladders.

24.B.01 The construction, installation, and use of ladders must conform to ANSI/American Ladder Institute (ALI) A14 series standards as applicable. The load rating must be clearly and legibly marked on all ladders.

24.B.02 Every ladderway, floor opening or platform must be guarded by a standard railing with standard toe-board (when exposure exists to falling materials), on all exposed sides (except at entrance to opening). The passage through the railing must be provided with either a guardrail or must be offset so that a person cannot walk directly into the opening. The guarding must meet the strength requirements of Section 21.F.01. Swing gates are preferred over chain gates.

24.B.03 Length of ladders.

1. All portable ladders must be of sufficient length and must be placed so that workers will not stretch or assume a hazardous position.
2. Portable ladders, used as temporary access, must extend at least 3 ft (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface.
• (1) When a 3 ft (0.9 m) extension is not possible, a grasping device (such as a grab rail) must be provided to assist workers in mounting and dismounting the ladder.
• (2) In no case must the length of the ladder be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip from its support.
3. The length of stepladders must not exceed 20 ft (6 m).

5. When splicing of side rails is required to obtain the required length, the resulting side rail must be at least equal in strength to a one-piece side rail made of the same material.

24.B.04 Width of ladders.

1. The minimum clear distance between the sides of individual-rung/step ladders must be 16 in (40.6 cm).
2. The minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders must be 12 in (30.4 cm).

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