513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

24-8. General Requirements.

General Ladder Requirements

Ladders must be constructed, installed, used, maintained, and stored as per the manufacturer’s instructions and ANSI/ASC A14 series standards, with load ratings and labels clearly marked.
Inspections must adhere to specified guidelines, ensuring ladders are smooth and free from materials that could cause harm or interfere with usage.
Opaque coatings on ladders are prohibited, except for manufacturer-applied coatings or specified identification and warning labels.

Portable Ladders

Portable ladders must be appropriately long to avoid hazardous positions and extend 3 feet above the upper landing surface or be equipped with a grasping device.
Limits are set for the length of single, two-section, and multi-section ladders, with requirements for slip-resistant features and structural integrity.
Rungs and steps on portable metal ladders must be designed to minimize slipping, and stepladders must have a metal spreader bar or locking device.

Set-up of Ladders

Ladders must not be placed in risky areas without proper protection and must be secured to prevent displacement, following specified pitch and toe space guidelines.
Ladders must be evenly supported at the top unless equipped for single support, and step-across distances to structures must adhere to specified measurements.
Using unstable bases for additional height, such as boxes or barrels, is strictly prohibited.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

24-6. How far must portable ladders extend above the upper landing surface?

2 feet or more

At least 3 feet

No more than 3 feet

Less than 4 feet

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 24-8 (c.–e.).

24-8. General Requirements. (c.–e.).

c.  General Ladder Requirements.  See also chapter 22.  This paragraph does not apply to ladders used in emergency operations (that is, firefighting, rescue, tactical law enforcement) or those designed into or as an integral part of machines or equipment. (24-8.c)

(1)  Construct, install, use, maintain, and store ladders according to the manufacturer’s instructions and ANSI/ASC A14 series standards, as applicable.

(a)  Label ladders according to the applicable ANSI/ASC A14 series standards. The load ratings must be clearly and legibly marked on all ladders.

(b)  Ladders should be safely secured when not in use.

(2)  Inspect ladders according to paragraph 24-5.b.  Ensure ladders are smooth surfaced to prevent injury to a worker from punctures or lacerations and to prevent snagging of clothing.

(3)  Do not coat ladders with any opaque covering, except those applied by the manufacturer and for identification or warning labels according to the applicable ANSI/ASC A14 series standard.

(4)  Do not use single-rail ladders.

(5)  Three-legged ladders may be used for specific tasks, if approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR.

(6)  Install and use all ladder accessories according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Accessories include, but are not limited to, ladder levelers, ladder stabilizers or stand-off devices, and ladder straps or hooks.

(7)  Construct job-made wooden ladders according to ANSI/ASC A14.4. (8)  Provide fixed ladders with fall protection according to chapter 21.

(9)  Articulated ladders are allowed if they meet ANSI/ASC A14.2.

d.  Portable Ladders.  In addition to the requirements of paragraph 24-8.c, portable ladders must also meet the following:  (24-8.d)

(1)  All portable ladders must be long enough and placed so that workers will not have to lean out beyond the ladder’s side rails and assume a hazardous position.

(2)  When portable ladders are used as a means of access, they must extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface.

(a)  When a 3 feet (0.9 m) extension above the upper landing surface is not possible, provide a grasping device (for example, grab rail) to assist workers in mounting and dismounting the ladder.

(b)  In no case may 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 single ladders or individual sections of ladders must not exceed 30 feet (9.1 m).

(4)  Two-section extension ladders must not exceed 48 feet (14.6 m) in length.

(5)  Multi-section extension ladders (that is, over two-sections) must not exceed 60 feet (18.3 m) in length.

(6)  The length of stepladders must not exceed 20 feet (6.1 m) in length.

(7)  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.

(8)  Portable ladders must have slip-resistant feet.

(9)  The rungs and steps of portable metal ladders must be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant materials, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping.

(10) On each stepladder, ensure a metal spreader bar or locking device is provided to hold the front and back sections in an open position.

e.  Set-up of Ladders. (24-8.e)

(1)  Do not place ladders in passageways, doorways, drives, or any locations where they may be displaced by any other work, unless they are protected by barriers or guards or are secured to prevent accidental displacement.

(2)  Portable ladders must be used at such a pitch that the horizontal distance from the working length (that is, top support to the foot of the ladder) will not be greater than 1/4 of the vertical distance between these points.

(3)  Wooden job-made ladders with spliced rail, must be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance is ⅛ of the working length (that is, top support to the foot of the ladder) of the ladder.

(4)  Ladders must be secured by top, bottom, and intermediate fastenings, as necessary, to hold them rigidly in place and to support the loads that will be imposed upon them.  Examples where securing may be required include, but are not limited to, use on slippery or unstable surfaces or in areas where they may be displaced by other activities or traffic.

(5)  Set the steps or rungs of all ladders to provide at least 7 inches (17.8 cm) toe space from the inside edge of the rungs to the nearest interference.

(6)  The top of a non-self-supporting ladder must be placed with the two rails supported equally unless the ladder is equipped with a single support attachment.

(7)  Step-across distance.  The step-across distance from the nearest edge of the ladder to the nearest edge of equipment or structure must not be more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) or less than 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).

(8)  Do not place ladders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.