603 Stairway and Ladder Safety

Job-Made Ladders

A job-made wooden ladder is a ladder constructed at the construction site. These ladders are not commercially manufactured. A job-made wooden ladder provides access to and from a work area. It is not intended to serve as a work platform. These ladders are temporary and are used only until a particular phase of work is completed or until permanent stairways or fixed ladders are installed.

Side Rails:

• Side rails of single-cleat ladders up to 24 ft. long should be made with at least 2x6 in. lumber.
• Single-rung ladder width should be at least 16 in., but not more than 20 in. between rails measured inside to inside.
• Rails should extend above the top landing between 36 in. (91.5 cm) and 42 in. to provide a handhold for mounting and dismounting, and cleats must be eliminated above the landing level.

Cleats:

• Must be equally spaced 12 inches on center from the top of one cleat to the top of the next cleat.
• Cleats should be fastened to each rail with three 12d common nails, nailed directly to the side rails.
• Cleats should be at least 1x4 in. for ladders 16 to 24 ft. long.

Filler Blocks:

• Minimum 2x2 inch wood strips inserted between cleats.
• The ladder is complete when filler is nailed at the top of each rail.

For more information about job-built ladders, see OSHA Fact Sheet 3661, Reducing Falls in Construction: Safe Use of Job-made Wooden Ladders.

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