Portable ladders requirements

This standard applies to all portable ladders used in marine terminals, including job-made ladders used temporarily. See Scope and applicability at 1917.119(a).

• Portable manufactured ladders, job-made ladders for temporary use, and other portable ladder types used in the marine terminal workplace fall under 1917.119 unless another rule specifically excludes them.
• If you operate at a facility that may fall outside Part 1917 (for example, a “designated waterfront facility”), consult applicable guidance because Part 1917 may not apply in some special situations; see the 2017 LOI on applicability to waterfront facilities for context.

Rungs on manufactured portable ladders obtained before October 3, 1983, must support a 200-pound (890 N) load without deformation. See 1917.119(b)(1).

• If a ladder obtained before that date cannot support 200 pounds without bending or deforming, it does not meet the requirement and should be removed from service.

Rungs on manufactured portable ladders must be evenly spaced between 9 and 16½ inches (22.9 to 41.9 cm), measured center to center. See 1917.119(b)(2).

• Consistent spacing matters for safe climbing and footing; irregular spacing can create a fall hazard and should be corrected or the ladder removed.

Yes — rungs of manufactured portable ladders must be continuous members between the side rails, and on double-rung ladders each rung must extend the full width of the ladder. See 1917.119(b)(3).

• This prevents weak points at the rail and provides full footing across the ladder width.

The width between side rails at the base must be at least 12 inches (30.48 cm) for ladders 10 feet (3.05 m) or less in overall length, and must increase at least 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) for each additional 2 feet (0.61 m) of ladder length. See 1917.119(b)(4).

• Example: a 14-foot ladder is 4 feet longer than 10 feet, so the base width must increase by at least 1/2 inch (two increments of 1/4 inch) above 12 inches.

Job-made portable ladders must have 12-inch center-to-center rung spacing, be capable of supporting a 250-pound (1,112 N) load without deformation, and have a minimum base width of 12 inches for ladders 10 feet in height (increasing 1/4 inch per additional 2 feet). See 1917.119(d) and its subparts 1917.119(d)(1), 1917.119(d)(2), 1917.119(d)(3).

• Use these minimums when fabricating temporary ladders on site; they are stricter in load capacity than older manufactured ladders.

For job-made ladders, the base width must be at least 12 inches for ladders 10 feet in height and must increase at least 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) for each additional 2 feet (0.61 m) of ladder length. See 1917.119(d)(3).

• Example: a 16-foot job-made ladder is 6 feet over 10 feet, so that’s three 2-foot increments and requires an increase of at least 3 × 1/4 inch = 3/4 inch above the 12-inch minimum.

Ladders with broken, split or missing rungs/steps/cleats; broken or split side rails; missing or loose bolts, rivets or fastenings; defective ropes; or any other structural defect must not be used and must be tagged unusable or removed from the worksite. See 1917.119(e)(1) and its subsections 1917.119(e)(1)(i) through 1917.119(e)(1)(v).

• Tagging the ladder "Do Not Use" or removing it prevents accidental use until repaired or discarded.

Ladders must be inspected for defects prior to each day's use and after any occurrence (such as a fall) that could damage the ladder. See 1917.119(e)(2).

• A pre-use daily check should look for the specific defects listed in 1917.119(e)(1); document or tag defective ladders immediately.

No — ladders that are made by fastening rungs or devices across a single rail are prohibited. See 1917.119(f)(1).

• Single-rail rungs create unstable, unsafe climbing surfaces and are not permitted under 1917.119.

No — ladders shall not be used as guys, braces, skids, or as platforms, runways, or scaffolds. See 1917.119(f)(2) and its subparts 1917.119(f)(2)(i) and 1917.119(f)(2)(ii).

• Use the correct equipment (e.g., scaffold or platform) designed for those purposes rather than a ladder.

No — metal and wire-reinforced ladders with wooden side rails must not be used when employees on the ladder might come into contact with energized electrical conductors. See 1917.119(f)(3).

• Where electrical hazards exist, choose ladders that reduce the risk of electrical conduction (for example, nonconductive ladders), and follow electrical safety procedures.

No — individual sections from different multi-sectional ladders or two or more single straight ladders must not be tied or fastened together to achieve additional length. See 1917.119(f)(4).

• Using improvised extensions compromises ladder strength and stability and is explicitly prohibited.

Except for combination ladders designed for multiple configurations, self-supporting ladders must not be used as single straight ladders. See 1917.119(f)(5).

• Only use the ladder in the configuration for which it was designed and labeled.

No — unless the ladder is intended for cantilever operation, non-self-supporting ladders shall not be used to climb above the top support point. See 1917.119(f)(6).

• Climbing above the top support point can make the ladder unstable; use an extension ladder properly positioned or other means designed to reach the work height.

A ladder must extend at least 36 inches (0.91 m) above the upper support level when employees are to leave or mount the ladder at that level; if this is impractical, other equivalent means (such as grab bars) may be used to provide a hand grip. See 1917.119(f)(7).

• If you cannot extend the ladder 36 inches, install a secure grab bar or other handhold so employees can safely transition on and off the ladder.

Ladders must be securely positioned on a level and firm base. See 1917.119(f)(8).

• Use levelers or a stable footing surface; do not place ladders on boxes, barrels, or unstable surfaces to gain height.

If a ladder has missing or loose bolts, rivets, or fastenings, it must not be used and should be tagged as unusable or removed from the worksite until repaired or discarded. See 1917.119(e)(1)(iii).

• Employers must maintain ladders in safe condition as required by 1917.119(e). Repair by a competent person before returning to service.

Job-made ladders must have a uniform 12-inch center-to-center rung spacing, while manufactured portable ladders (older models) must have rungs spaced evenly between 9 and 16½ inches center-to-center. See 1917.119(d)(1) and 1917.119(b)(2).

• When fabricating or selecting ladders, follow the appropriate spacing rules for job-made versus manufactured ladders to ensure safe climbing ergonomics.

Job-made ladders are required to support a 250-pound (1,112 N) load without deformation, while manufactured portable ladders obtained before October 3, 1983, must support a 200-pound (890 N) load without deformation. See 1917.119(d)(2) and 1917.119(b)(1).

• For safety, use ladders that meet or exceed the required load capacity for their type and age; when in doubt, choose the stronger option.

A designated waterfront facility used solely for bulk storage, handling, and transfer of liquids or gases may fall outside Part 1917, so Part 1917 ladder rules may not apply there. See the 2017 Letter of Interpretation on applicability to waterfront facilities and 1917.119(a).

• The LOI explains that some facilities are considered "marine terminals" or designated waterfront facilities and that certain Parts (including Part 1917) may not apply depending on the facility's classification; confirm which OSHA part governs your specific site before relying solely on Part 1917.

After a fall or any occurrence that could damage a ladder, the ladder must be inspected for defects before being used again. See 1917.119(e)(2).

• Inspect for broken or split rungs, cracked rails, loose fastenings, bent components, or other structural damage listed in 1917.119(e)(1). Tag or remove any ladder with defects.

Portable manufactured ladders obtained after January 21, 1998, must bear identification indicating they meet the appropriate ANSI ladder construction requirements: ANSI A14.1-1990 for wood ladders, ANSI A14.2-1990 for metal ladders, or ANSI A14.5-1992 for reinforced plastic ladders. See 1917.119.

• Check ladder nameplates or labels for the required ANSI standard marking to confirm compliance for ladders acquired after that date.