In OSHA’s new standard (OSHA standard 1910.28) taking effect 11/19/2018, ladders will not be required to have fall protection until their height is over 24’ (24’-0-1/4” requires fall protection). A fixed ladder is "a ladder that cannot be readily moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure" (§1926.1050(b)). Previously, OSHA standard 1910.27 covered fixed ladders, and it required cages on fixed ladders where the climb is over 20 feet (6.10 m) high. A 6 foot lanyard that incorporates a shock absorbing system may have a total extension of up to about 9½ feet before a fall is completely arrested. If a 6 foot lanyard is rigged to an anchorage at floor level, the total free fall would be the sum of the vertical distance between the attachment point on the body harness and the floor (usually 4 to 4½ feet) plus the length of the lanyard (6 feet in this example), which totals about 10 feet. Installing fall protection (personal fall arrest systems, ladder safety systems, cages, wells) on existing fixed ladders (over 24 feet) that do not have any fall protection by November 19, 2018. Fall protection must be provided whenever the length of climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet, and cages, wells, ladder safety devices or self-retracting lifelines must be provided when the top of a fixed ladder is greater than 24 feet. See Appendix A, Guidelines (Advisory). If you examine the latest regulations, you’ll note that OSHA 1910.28 (b) (9) requires General Industry employers to provide fall protection on fixed ladders of 24′ or taller installed on or after November 19, 2018. There are applications where a ladder fall arrest safety system may be used in lieu of a ladder cage. Personal Fall Arrest Systems can be set up to limit arrested falls to less then 15 feet. OSHA will also be requiring ladders installed after 11/18/2018 to have fall protection in the form of a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system (not a cage). Several factors must be considered in determining how much distance will be needed for a fall arrest system to work — to prevent the worker from contacting the next lower level. There are 28 OSHA-approved State Plans, operating state-wide occupational safety and health programs. Meets OSHA and … (Corrected June 2, 2005). 29 CFR 1926.1053(a)(19) states that fall protection must be provided whenever the length of climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or more stringent requirements. Directorate of Construction When anchored above the worker, a typical personal fall arrest system will arrest a fall in 6 feet or less. Ladders installed before November 19, 2018 are exempt from the requirement until 2036. 1910.66, Powered platforms for building maintenance. You specifically ask if OSHA has any requirements for the use of fall protection when working from ladders at heights greater than six feet. Fall protection requirements for fixed and portable ladders in construction. The new rule requires that any fixed ladders over 24ft installed after November 2018 must have an active fall protection system. Responding is Dave Francis, national safety director, Little Giant Ladder Systems, Springville, UT. OSHA 1910.21 regulations stipulated that fixed ladders more than 20 ft needed a cage. 1915.73, Guarding of deck openings and edges. Note: The "Directives" bullets above link to directives related to each OSHA standard. Because the lanyard is attached to the body harness at a point that is more than half-way up the body, an additional distance of about 3-4 feet must be added to assure that no part of the employee's body makes contact with the surface. Portable ladders: fall protection is not required for employees climbing or working on portable ladders. In January of 2017, OSHA revised the industry regulations pertaining to fixed ladders and fall protection. Although the OSHA standards do not require fall protection for workers on fixed ladders below 24 feet or on portable ladders, we encourage employers to provide additional protection. All ladder hardware is corrosion-resistant stainless steel. For construction-specific information, see the Fall protection - construction standards section. Why the time gap? Safety Standards in Shipyard Employment for Scaffolds; Welding, Cutting, and Heating; Access and Egress; and Fall Protection, 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry, Longshoring and Marine Terminal "Tool Shed" Directive, Enforcement Guidance for General Industry Rope Descent System (RDS) Anchorage Requirements (29 CFR 1910.27(b)(1)), Guarding of Access Openings to Fixed Ladders, Guarding requirements for skylights and "grandfather" provisions for buildings constructed over twenty years ago, Fall protection for the entertainment industry under the OSH Act of 1970, Fall protection requirements when working from ladders in the telecommunications industry, OSHA enforcement of ANSI window cleaning standard; citing federal agencies under the General Duty Clause, Recommendations for preventing prolonged suspension in personal fall protection systems, Rescue of a suspended worker following a fall event, Maintenance vs. construction; working from fixed ladders, OSHA's requirements for locking type snaphooks on pole strap systems, Fall Protection in the power distribution industry, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. 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