A stairway
or ladder must be provided for personnel use when there is a break in
elevation of 19 inches or more and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment
or personnel hoist is provided.
STAIRWAYS
There are
a number of requirements to the physical stairway system. The purpose
of the system (considering accident & injury statistics) is to provide
standards and engineering controls to safely move people from one elevation
to another. Allowances have been made between permanent and temporary
stairway systems. The following are highlights of the requirements:
Stairways that will not be a permanent part of the structure on which
construction work is being performed (Temporary) shall have landings
of not less than 30 inches (76 cm) in the direction of travel and extend
at least 22 inches (56 cm) in width at every 12 feet (3.7 m) or less
of vertical rise.
See 29 CFR 1910.24 - Fixed industrial stairs.
- Stairways
with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches must
be equipped with at least one handrail and one railing along
each unprotected side.
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Riser height and tread depth shall be uniform within each flight
of stairs, including any foundation structure used as one or
more treads of the stairs. Variations in riser height or tread
depth shall not be over 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) in any stairway system.
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Stairways must be kept clear of debris, materials and protruding
nails or other hazardous projections
-
Slippery conditions on stairways shall be eliminated before
the stairways are used to reach other levels.
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Stairrails shall be not less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the
upper surface of the stairrail system to the surface of the
tread, in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge
of the tread.
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Handrails and the top rails of stairrail systems shall be capable
of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds
(890 n) applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, in any
downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge.
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Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, or equivalent
intermediate structural members, shall be provided between the
top rail of the stairrail system and the stairway steps. Midrails,
when used, shall be located at a height midway between the top
edge of the stairrail system and the stairway steps.
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The height of handrails shall be not more than 37 inches (94
cm) nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of
the handrail to the surface of the tread, in line with the face
of the riser at the forward edge of the tread.
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LADDERS
Ladders
are used in most construction work. They provide workers a means of
reaching locations too high to reach otherwise. They assist workers
in going down into trenches and excavations, and ladders help gain access
to the upper floors - and roofs of buildings. Painters use ladders of
all sizes, sheet rock installers, electricians, plumbers, grazers, masons,
iron workers, and at one time or another, just about every construction
trade on the job.
A ladder as a very useful appliance consisting of two side rails joined
at regular intervals by cross-pieces called steps, rungs or cleats,
on which a person may step when ascending or descending from a given
level.
TYPES
OF LADDERS
There are
Fixed Ladders, Extension Ladders, and Step Ladders. These ladders can
be made of aluminum, wood, metal, plastic or fiberglass. Fixed Ladders
are attached to a structure and not adjustable in length. An Extension
Ladder is a non-self supporting, portable ladder that is adjustable
in length. Then there are Step Ladders which are self supporting portable
ladders that are not adjustable in length. When selecting a ladder the
worker should consider the capacity of the ladder, its height and footing
requirements, and whether it will be used inside or outside.
- Check
the rungs on fixed ladders for damage and be sure they are securely
attached before you climb.
-
When you need an extension ladder, inspect it for defects before
using it, and be sure to look for overhead hazards that may
interfere with the set-up, such as electrical wires.
-
Extend the ladder to the required height and engage the extension
hooks. Remember the 1 to 4 rule - the base of the ladder should
be 1' away from the wall or support for every 4' of vertical
extension (an angle of approximately 75 degrees). When using
the ladder to access an upper level, be sure the ladder extends
36' above the landing. Secure the ladder by tying it off to
prevent shifting.
-
When using a step ladder inspect the ladder for defects, broken
rails, and split steps, and ensure that the spreader lock works
property. Place the ladder on solid ground and secure the spreader
lock. Fully extend and expand A-frame legs. Never stand on the
top two steps.
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Never paint wooden ladders. Paint hides defects and hinders
inspection.
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When climbing
a ladder always use both hands, face forward and have a good grip. Don't
try to one hand it or climb facing away, and take only one step at a
time. Always hoist tools with hand line.
A
few additional safety tips:
General regulatory requirements associated with ladders include
but are not limited to the following:
a.)
General
1. Manufactured ladders must comply with the requirements of ANSI A14.
1, "Portable Wood Ladders", ANSI A14.2, "Portable Metal
Ladders" or ANSI A14.5, "Fiberglass (Plastic) Ladders".
2. Job-made ladders must be fabricated in accordance with the applicable
criteria contained in OSHA
1926.1053.
3. Ladders should not be placed in passageways, doorways or any similar
location that subjects it to displacement by personnel, moving equipment
or material handling. If it is necessary to place a ladder in a passageway
or doorway, it must be protected by barricades and warning signs.
4. Face the ladder and use both hands when going up and down ladders
5. Do not carry materials or tools up or down a ladder. Materials and
tools should be lowered or raised by a rope or other mechanical means.
6. Broken or damaged ladders must not be used. Ladders needing repairs
must be reported to a supervisor, tagged out and removed from the work
area.
7. The length of a ladder shall be sufficient to extend a minimum of
36" above the top landings.
8. Ladders must have good level footing and be securely fastened at
top and bottom.
9.
Ladders must be erected at the proper angle; the base of a ladder should
be set out at least one-fourth of the ladder's height measured from
bottom to point of bearing.
10. The areas around the top and base of ladders must be kept clean
and free of tripping hazards. The same is true for the bottom of stairways
and on stairway platforms.
11. Metal ladders must not be used for electric welding or near any
electrical lines or services
b.)
Stepladders
1. Open stepladders fully and lock the spreaders.
2. Do not stand on the top two steps and keep tools off steps
3. When using a stepladder on grating, the grating must be covered with
plywood.
4. Do not use a stepladder as a straight ladder.
c.) Extension Ladders
1. The sections of an extension ladder must be overlapped a minimum
of three rungs
2. Extension ladders must not be taken apart and sections used separately.
3. After the extension ladder has been raised to the desired height,
check the safety latches to ensure they are engaged and the extension
rope is secured to a rung on the base section of the ladder.
Required
Training
Employees must be trained on the hazards associated with the use of
ladders and stairways and the procedures to be followed to minimize
those hazards.
Training
must be provided by a competent person and include the following:
1. The nature of fall hazards in the work area.
2. Correct procedure for erecting, maintaining and disassembling fall
protection systems.
3. The proper construction, use and care in use of ladders and stairways.
4. The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders.
5. The standards included in Subpart
X, OSHA 1926. Retraining must be provided as necessary.
SCAFFOLDING/WORK PLATFORMS
Scaffolds
are used every day in construction, providing a place to work from,
and used in conjunction with other scaffolds, they become support structures
or platforms to store material.
Inadequate scaffolding is responsible for many construction accidents.
Scaffolds should be designed, built and inspected by competent
persons. To avoid the use of makeshift platforms, each job should
be carefully planned to assure that scaffolding is used when required
and that such scaffolding conforms to the applicable regulations.
General
Requirements
a. Guardrails, midrails and toeboards must be installed on all open
sides of scaffolds 10 feet or more in height. This guardrail system
should be constructed from components furnished by the manufacturer.
Where this is not possible, sound 2 x 4 inch lumber must be used for
the guardrails and midrails and 1x 4 inch lumber for the toeboards.
Guardrails shall be 36" to 42" high above the floor or platform.
If work is to be performed on the scaffold and/or adjacent hazard warrants,
guardrails are required at lesser heights.
b. Scaffold planks must be at least 2 x 10 inch full-thickness lumber,
structural grade, or the equivalent.
c. Scaffold planks must be cleated or secured and must extend over the
end supports by at least 6 inches but not by more than 12 inches.
d. All scaffolds must be fully planked and constructed to support the
designed load.
e. All scaffold members must be visually inspected before each use.
Damaged scaffold members must be removed from service immediately.
f. Access ladders must be provided for each scaffold. Climbing off the
end frames is prohibited unless their design incorporates an approved
ladder.
g. Adequate mud sills or other rigid footing, capable of withstanding
the maximum intended load must be provided.
h. Scaffolds must be tied off to the building or structure at intervals
that do not exceed 30 feet horizontally and 26 feet vertically.
i. Scaffold should not be overloaded. Materials should be brought up
as needed. Excess materials and scrap should be removed from the scaffold
when work is completed.
j. Barrels, boxes, kegs, horses, ladders, loose tile blocks, loose piles
of bricks, A-frames or other unstable objects shall not be used as work
platforms or to support scaffolds. Never use work platforms mounted
on top of other work platforms.
k. Where persons are required to work or pass under a scaffold, a screen
of 18 gauge, 1/2-inch wire mesh or equivalent protection is required
between the toeboard and the guardrail.
l.
Overhead protection is required if employees working on scaffolds are
exposed to overhead hazards. Such protection must be 2 x 10 inch planks
or the equivalent.
m. Scaffolds or work platforms must not be altered by unauthorized personnel.
Rolling
Scaffolds
a. No one is allowed to ride rolling scaffolds
b. Rolling scaffolds shall only be used on level surfaces.
c. The height of rolling scaffold must not exceed four times the minimum
base dimension. Use outriggers if additional height is needed.
d. The work platform must be planked tight for the full width of the
scaffold. Cleat the underside of planks to prevent their movement.
e. Caster brakes must be locked when the scaffold is not in motion.
f. Get help when moving rolling scaffolds. Make certain that the route
is clear. Watch for holes and overhead obstructions.
g. Secure or remove all loose materials and equipment before moving
scaffold.
Two-Point Suspended Scaffolds (Swinging Stages)
a. Each employee working from a two-point suspended multi-stage scaffold
must be tied off to an independent approved safety line attached to
a secure part of the structure, extending to the ground. Each lanyard
should be tied to the lifeline with a triple sliding hitch or mechanical
rope grab. Ropes must be protected from burning or welding.
b. Suspended scaffolds must not be less than 20 or more than 36 inches
wide.
c. Wire ropes used to suspend such scaffolds must have a safety factor
six times the maximum intended load. The scaffolds should have tie-ins
to the building structure or have inside guardrails installed.
d. Non-conductive insulating material must be placed over the suspension
cables on each scaffold for protection when the chance of contact with
an electrical are exists.
e. All mechanisms and rigging shall be inspected daily.
Needle
Beam Scaffolds
a. All employees working from needle beam scaffolds must use safety
belts and independent lifelines
b. All needle beam scaffolds must be constructed to support the intended
load
c. Needle beams must be at least 4 x 6 inches and the span must not
exceed 10 feet.
d. Rope for supports must be at least 1 inch first grade manila or larger.
Attach with a scaffold hitch or eye splice, properly secured to prevent
the beam from rolling or being displaced.
e. Needle beam supports suspended by wire rope must be secured with
three wire rope clamps, properly attached, and must be protected when
near burning or welding.
f. Needle beams suspended by threaded rod must be secured by double
nuts above the plate and below the beam. At least 1 inch of rod must
be exposed.
Floats
a. Floats must not be overloaded. They must be inspected carefully prior
to each use
b. The platform must be constructed from 3/4 inch exterior plywood,
grade B-B or better. The minimum width must be 3 feet and the minimum
surface area must be 18 square feet.
c. The supporting beams must be 2 x 4 inch select lumber and must project
at least 6 inches beyond each side of the platform.
d. 1 x 4 inch edging must be placed on all sides of the platform to
prevent tools from rolling off,
e. Supporting ropes must be 1 inch manila or the equivalent and must
be protected from burning or welding.
f. When getting on or off of a float and when working from floats, employees
are required to wear a safety belt and to be tied off to the structure
or to an independent lifeline.
References
Scaffolding
in Construction Maritime:
