Fixed and portable ladders

At least one safe and accessible ladder must be provided for each gang working in a single hatch, and no more than two ladders are required in any hatch regardless of the number of gangs present. This is required by 1918.24(a).

• Make sure the ladders provided are safe and kept accessible to the workers using that hatch.
• If you have more than two gangs, you still need only up to two ladders per hatch unless you provide other safe means of access.

An effective means of gaining a handhold must be provided at or near the head of each vertical fixed ladder. This requirement is stated in 1918.24(a).

• "Effective means" means something workers can reliably use to grasp and steady themselves when stepping off or on the ladder at the top (for example, a handrail, grab bar, or extended top rung).

The employer must identify the ladder as unsafe and prohibit its use by employees. This is required under 1918.24(b).

• Tag the ladder or physically block access and remove it from service until repaired or replaced.
• Keep records or a log of identified unsafe ladders and the corrective actions taken to ensure compliance during inspections.

Portable straight ladders must extend three feet (0.91 m) above the upper landing surface and be positively secured or held to prevent shifting or slipping. See 1918.24(c).

• If you cannot use a straight ladder because of the conditions, you may use Jacob's ladders that meet the requirements of 1918.23.
• Always secure the top and base (e.g., tie-off, non-slip shoes, or a coworker holding) before climbing.

For vessels built after July 16, 2001, a fixed ladder is deemed "unsafe" if there is less than six inches (15.24 cm) clearance behind the rungs. This is specified in 1918.24(d).

• Check the clearance behind rungs during inspections; measure if necessary, and tag or remove ladders that fail this clearance requirement.

When no other safe means is available, the employer must furnish ladders or steps of adequate strength and ensure they are positively secured or held against shifting or slipping while in use. This is required by 1918.24(e)(1).

• Steps formed by the cargo itself can be used only if the employer demonstrates the cargo and stowage provide equivalent safe access.
• Make sure any temporary ladders are secured and inspected before use.

Portable straight ladders used for access to stowed deckloads must extend at least three feet (0.91 m) above the upper landing surface. This is stated in 1918.24(e)(2).

• Ensure the ladder top extends 3 feet beyond the landing so users can grab the top rung or handhold safely when getting on or off the ladder.

Rungs of manufactured portable ladders obtained before January 21, 1998 must be capable of supporting a 200-pound (890 N) load without deformation. This requirement is in 1918.24(f)(1).

• If you have older ladders, verify their capacity and remove any that show deformation under expected loads.

Rungs on existing manufactured portable ladders must be evenly spaced between nine and sixteen and one-half inches (22.9 to 41.9 cm) center to center. See 1918.24(f)(2).

• Consistent spacing helps reduce slip and missteps; check for even spacing during inspections.

Rungs must be continuous members between the rails, and on a double-rung ladder (two side rails and a center rail) each rung must extend the full width of the ladder. This is required by 1918.24(f)(3).

• Avoid ladders with rungs that do not run fully between rails or that are segmented, as they weaken the climbing surface.

The width between side rails at the base of a ladder 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 one-fourth inch (0.64 cm) for each additional two feet (0.61 m) of ladder length. See 1918.24(f)(4).

• Measure ladder width at the base when auditing ladder inventory to ensure stability requirements are met.

Portable manufactured ladders obtained after January 21, 1998 must bear identification showing they meet the appropriate ladder construction requirements of ANSI A14.1-1990 (wood), ANSI A14.2-1990 (metal), or ANSI A14.5-1992 (reinforced plastic). This is required by 1918.24(g) and its subparts 1918.24(g)(1), 1918.24(g)(2), and 1918.24(g)(3).

• Look for manufacturer labels or marks that reference the ANSI standard to confirm compliance.

Job-made ladders must have uniform rung spacing of at least 12 inches (30.48 cm) center to center, be capable of supporting a 250-pound (1,112 N) load without deformation, and have a minimum base width of 12 inches (30.48 cm) for ladders 10 feet (3.05 m) or less, with width increasing one-fourth inch for each additional two feet. See 1918.24(h) and its subparts 1918.24(h)(1), 1918.24(h)(2), and 1918.24(h)(3).

• If your workplace builds its own ladders, document construction specs demonstrating these minimums and test for load capacity.

Portable ladders with broken, split or missing rungs/cleats/steps; 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 vessel. This list is given in 1918.24(i)(1) and its subparts 1918.24(i)(1)(i) through 1918.24(i)(1)(v).

• Tagging should be clear (e.g., "Do Not Use") and ladders should be repaired or disposed of promptly.

Ladders must be inspected for defects before each day's use and after any occurrence (such as a fall) that could damage the ladder. This inspection requirement is in 1918.24(i)(2).

• Keep a simple inspection log or checklist to document daily checks and any corrective actions taken.

Ladders must be securely positioned on a level, firm base and fitted with slip-resistant bases and/or be positively secured or held to prevent slipping or shifting while in use. These requirements are stated in 1918.24(j)(1) and 1918.24(j)(2).

• Use ladder levelers, non-slip shoes, tie-offs, or a coworker to steady the ladder on uneven or slippery surfaces.

Except for combination ladders, self-supporting ladders must not be used as single straight ladders, and non-self-supporting ladders (unless designed for cantilever operation) must not be used to climb above the top support point. These rules are in 1918.24(j)(3) and 1918.24(j)(4).

• Do not spread a stepladder and lean it against a surface as if it were a straight ladder unless it is a combination ladder designed for that use.

Ladders shall not be used as guys, braces, or skids, and they shall not be used as platforms, runways, or scaffolds. These prohibitions are set out in 1918.24(j)(5) and its subparts 1918.24(j)(5)(i) and 1918.24(j)(5)(ii).

• If you need a platform, runway, or brace, use equipment designed and rated for that purpose—do not improvise with ladders.

Metal and wire-reinforced ladders (even with wooden side rails) must not be used when employees on the ladder might contact energized electrical conductors. This safety rule is set forth in 1918.24(j)(6).

• Use non-conductive ladders (e.g., fiberglass) near electrical work and ensure workers maintain required distances from live conductors.

No, individual sections from different multi-sectional ladders or two or more single straight ladders shall not be tied or fastened together to achieve additional length. This prohibition is in 1918.24(j)(7).

• Use a single ladder rated and built for the required height rather than joining ladders, which creates unstable and unsafe conditions.

Single rail ladders (made by fastening rungs or devices across a single rail) shall not be used. This prohibition is stated in 1918.24(j)(8).

• Make sure ladders on site have two side rails to meet this requirement; remove or tag any single-rail ladders as unusable.

The employer is obligated to provide safe, maintained, and properly used fixed and portable ladders, meet the specific construction and inspection requirements in 1918.24, and remove or tag ladders that are unsafe under 1918.24(b).

• Implement daily inspections (1918.24(i)(2)), tag or remove defective ladders (1918.24(i)(1)), and train workers in proper ladder use per the usage rules in 1918.24(j).