Roof Access Ladder Requirements

Here are the basics of the requirements.

Roof access ladder requirements.

Engineered fall protection can design and install customized ladders to suit most any application. Wells must completely encircle the ladder. Inside widths of wells must be at least 30 inches 76 cm. The requirement for a cage comes when you have a fixed ladder longer than 20 feet.

Previously a fixed ladder with a cage required a landing platform at a maximum interval of 30 feet. The side rails of through or sidestep ladders extend at least 42 inches 1 1 m above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder. Roof access systems may involve walkthrough rails over parapet platforms and safety gates. Where other obstructions on the climbing side of the ladder exist there shall be a minimum of 30 inches from the center line of the rungs.

The new regulations change this requirement dramatically. Inside faces of wells on the climbing side of the ladder must extend between 27 inches 68 cm and 30 inches 76 cm. Cages must extend 42 inches above the top of the landing. When regular maintenance is needed for accessing roofs walkways mezzanines and equipment osha compliant systems are required.

Bottoms of wells above the point of access. Per osha 1910 23 d 4 the side rails of through or sidestep ladders must extend 42 inches above the top of the access level or landing platform served by the ladder. Wells must be free of projections. 24 inches this extension above the access level must be at least 24 inches wide to accommodate the width of climber s body and not more than 30 inches of clearance allowing the climber to easily reach both hand rails.

Platforms shall be not less than 24 inches in width and 30 inches in length. Ladders with cages must now have a landing platform at maximum intervals of 50 feet. 1910 27 d 2 iii one rung of any section of ladder shall be located at the level of the landing laterally served by the ladder. 1910 23 d 4 i the roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage through the parapet.

When a roof access hatch or scuttle is located within 10 feet 3 0 m of a roof edge a guard shall be installed in accordance with imc section 304 11. All landing platforms shall be equipped with standard railings and toeboards so arranged as to give safe access to the ladder. Exterior stairs shall terminate at the roof access point or at a level landing of at least 8 square feet 0 74 m 2 with a minimum dimension of 20 inches 508 mm. Smooth walled wells shall be a minimum of 27 inches and a maximum of 30 inches from the center line of rungs to the well wall on the climbing side of the ladder.