513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

24-8. General Requirements.

Use of Ladders

Ladder users must restrict the ladder's use to its designed purpose, maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending, and not move, shift, or extend ladders while in use.
Ensure that ladders do not exceed the maximum intended load as designed and tested or the manufacturer’s rated capacity. Only one person is allowed to climb a ladder between the same set of rails unless otherwise designed.
Users must not use the top cap or top step of a ladder as a step or seat unless it's a manufacturer-approved platform ladder, ensure latches on extension ladders are in place before climbing, and keep loose tools off steps and platforms. Ladders must not be altered unless modifications are approved by an RPE and comply with ANSI/ASC A14 standards.

Floor, Wall, and Roof Holes and Openings

Guard all floor, roof openings, or holes to prevent accidental falls by utilizing guardrail systems with toe-boards, load-bearing covers, or an attendant when the guard system is removed.
Ensure all floor and roof holes are covered, guard hatchway and chute openings with hinged covers or railings, and provide standard guardrails or equivalent for wall openings that present a fall risk.
For roof openings and holes, provide covers, guardrail systems, or warning line systems on all exposed sides. Skylights must be immediately cut out if covering holes, not be stood or walked upon, and guarded with a load-bearing screen, cover, or railing system.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

24-7. When ascending or descending ladders, users _____.

may stand on the top cap

must not look down

may make only minor modification to the ladder

must maintain three points of contact

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 24-8 (f.–h.).

24-8. General Requirements. (f.–h.).

f.  Use of ladders. (24-8.f)

(1)  Restrict ladder use to the purpose for which the ladder was designed.

(2)  Keep three points of contact at all times when ascending or descending ladders.

(3)  Do not move, shift, or extend a ladder while occupied.

(4)  Do not load ladders beyond the maximum intended load for which they were designed and tested, or beyond the manufacturer’s rated capacity (includes the worker and all the tools and supplies carried).

(5)  No more than one person at a time may climb a ladder between the same set of rails unless designed to support more than one person.

(6)  Portable ladders do not require fall protection when used as a means of access.  However, only light work for short period of time may be performed on portable ladders, and only as approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR.  No work requiring lifting of heavy materials or substantial exertion may be done from ladders.

(7)  When ladders are the only means of access to or from a working area for 25 or more workers, or when a ladder is to serve simultaneous two-way traffic, use double- cleated ladders or two or more separate ladders.

(8)  Do not use the top cap or top step of a ladder as a step or seat unless it has been designed to be used as such by the manufacturer (for example, platform ladders).

(9)  Ensure latches are in place before climbing an extension ladder.

(10)  Keep loose tools off the steps and top platform.

(11) Do not make modifications to manufactured ladders to adapt the ladder to specific or special use, unless the alteration is approved by an RPE.  Modified ladders must meet the applicable ANSI/ASC A14 series standard.

g.  Floor, Wall, and Roof Holes and Openings.  (24-8.g)

(1)  Guard all floor, roof openings, or holes into which a person can accidentally walk or fall through either by a guardrail system with toe-boards along all exposed sides or by a load-bearing cover.  When the cover is not in place, protect the opening or hole by a removable guardrail system or other fall protection system, or provide an attendant when the guarding system has been removed.  (See chapter 21)

(2)  Cover all floor and roof holes through which equipment, materials, or debris can fall.

(3)  When exposed to vehicles or equipment, design conduits, trenches, and manhole covers and their supports to carry a truck rear axle load of two times the maximum anticipated load.
    (4)  Guard every hatchway and chute floor opening with a hinged floor opening cover.  Barricade the opening with railings so there is only one exposed side.  Provide the exposed side with either a swinging gate or an offset so that no one is able to walk into the opening. When operating conditions require the feeding of material into a hatchway or chute opening, provide protection to prevent a person from falling through the opening.

(5)  Protect wall openings 30 inches (76.2 cm) or more in height and 18 inches (45.7 cm) or more in width from which a fall could occur with a standard guardrail or equivalent. Provide a toe-board where the bottom of the wall opening, regardless of width, is less than 4 inches (10.2 cm) above the working surface.  (See chapter 21)

(6)  An extension platform outside a wall opening onto which materials can be hoisted for handling must have a standard guardrail according to chapter 21.  However, one side of the extension platform may have removable railings to facilitate handling materials if appropriate fall protection is used.  (See chapter 21)

(7)  Provide roof openings and holes with covers, guardrail systems, or warning line systems on all exposed sides.
    Note.  Skylights located in floors or roofs are considered floor or roof holes or openings. (a)  Immediately cut out roofing material (for example, roofing membrane,
    insulation, felts), that cover or partly cover openings or holes.  Do not leave a hole or opening unattended unless covered according to chapter 21.

(b)  Do not stand or walk on skylights.

(c)  Guard non-load bearing skylights with a load-bearing skylight screen, cover, or raining system along all exposed sides.