437-004-0340 Portable Ladders (1) Definitions. Portable ladder terms mean: (a) Check. A lengthwise separation of the wood, most of which occurs across the rings of annual growth. (b) Compression failure. A deformation (buckling) of the fibers due to excessive compression along the grain. (c) Decay. Disintegration of wood substance due to action of wood-destroying fungi. It is also known as dote and rot. (d) Extension ladder. A nonself-supporting portable ladder of adjustable length. It has two or more sections that adjust to varied lengths. (e) Extension trestle ladder. An adjustable, self-supporting portable ladder made of a trestle ladder base and a vertical extension section. (f) Ladder. A device with steps, rungs or cleats between rails, for people to climb up or down. (g) Low density wood. Exceptionally light in weight and usually deficient in strength for the species. (h) Platform ladder. A fixed length, self-supporting portable ladder with a platform at the highest permissible standing level. (i) Platform. A landing surface for working or standing. (j) Reinforced plastic. A plastic made stronger than its base by the addition of high strength fillers, usually fibers, fabrics or mats. (k) Section. (A) Bottom or base section. The lowest section of a nonself-supporting portable ladder. (B) Middle or intermediate section. The section(s) between the top (fly) and bottom (base) sections of a nonself-supporting portable ladder. (C) Top or fly section. The uppermost section of a nonself-supporting portable ladder. (l) Sectional ladder. A nonself-supporting, fixed length, portable ladder, with two or more sections of ladder that may combine to work as a single ladder. Its size is the length of the assembled sections. (m) Shake. A separation along the grain, most of which occurs between the rings of annual growth. (n) Single section ladder. A fixed length, nonself-supporting portable ladder made of one section. (o) Stepladder. A fixed length, self-supporting portable ladder with a hinged back. (p) Top cap. The very top part of a stepladder. (q) Top step. The first step below the top cap of a stepladder. If the ladder has no top cap, the top step is the first one below the top of the rails. (r) Trestle ladder. A fixed length, self-supporting portable ladder made of two sections and hinged at the top. It can be climbed by two people at once, one per side. (s) Wane. Bark, or the lack of wood from any cause, on the corner of a piece. (t) Wood irregularities. Natural characteristics in or on wood that may lower its durability, strength, or utility. (u) Working Load Rating. The maximum load authorized by the manufacturer for the ladder. (2) Application. This standard covers the selection, use and care of portable ladders used in agriculture. It does not cover orchard ladders, special ladders, combination step and extension ladders, aisle way stepladders, and shelf ladders. (3) Ladder selection. Portable reinforced plastic (fiberglass) ladders must comply with American National Standard A14.5-1992. Wood ladders must comply with American National Standard A14.1-1994. Metal ladders must comply with American National Standard A14.2-1990. NOTE: Unaltered and properly maintained ladders that meet the ANSI standard in effect at the time of their manufacture comply with this standard as do ladders that comply with newer versions of the particular ANSI standard. (4) Condition of wood ladders. There must be no sharp edges or splinters on wood parts. Visual inspection must show no check, shake, wane, compression failures, decay, or other wood irregularities. Ladders may not be made of low density wood. (5) General requirements — all ladders. (a) Step spacing must be uniform and not more than 12 inches. Steps must be parallel and level when the ladder is in the normal use position. (b) All joints, attachments and working parts of ladders must be tight and not worn to a point that causes a hazard. Do not use ladders with damaged or bent parts. (c) Replace frayed or badly worn rope. (d) Safety feet and other auxiliary equipment must in good condition. (e) Inspect ladders and remove from use any with defects. Ladders awaiting repair must be tagged, “Dangerous, Do Not Use.” (f) There can be no dents, breaks or bends in the side rails or rungs; (g) Do not make ladders by fastening cleats across a single rail. (h) Portable ladders must have nonslip bases. (6) General requirements — portable stepladders. (a) The minimum width between side rails at the top, inside to inside, must be not less than 11 1/2 inches. From top to bottom, the side rails must spread at least 1-inch for each foot of length of the stepladder. (b) The bottoms of the four rails must have insulating nonslip material. (c) There must be a metal spreader or locking device strong enough to hold the ladder open. The spreader must have no sharp points or edges. For Type III ladders, the pail shelf and spreader can be one unit (a shelf-lock ladder). (7) Use — all ladders. Use ladders only for purposes approved or recommended by the manufacturer. (a) Do not load ladders beyond their working load rating. Do not allow more than one person at a time on ladders not intended by the manufacturer to hold more than one person. (b) Do not use ladders in front of doors that open toward the ladder without blocking, locking or guarding the door. (c) Do not use ladders placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height. (d) Do not use ladders with broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty parts. (e) Do not splice sections of short ladders together to make a long one. (f) When used, metal reinforcers must be on the underside of rails of portable rung ladders. (g) A ladder for access to a roof must extend at least 3 feet above the top support point, at the eave, gutter, or roof line. (h) Secure ladders as necessary when used on surfaces that may allow slipping or movement. Use one of the following methods: (A) non-slip bases on the ladder feet; or, (B) steel points or safety shoes on the ladder feet, designed for the type of surface the ladder is on; or (C) nail the ladder to the floor, or set it against secured blocks or chocks. NOTE: Non-slip bases are not a substitute for care in safely placing, lashing, or holding a ladder on oily, metal, concrete, or slippery surfaces. (i) Use portable ladders only on a surface that gives stable, level footing. (j) The climber must face the ladder and have free use of both hands when climbing up or down. (k) Do not step or jump between erected ladders. (l) There must be only one person at a time on a ladder unless its labeling specifically allows use by more than one person. (m) Do not use ladders as planks or bridges between walking surfaces or in other horizontal applications. (n) Do not use ladders to gain additional height from elevated surfaces like scaffolds, truck beds, vehicle bodies, tractor scoops or boom truck buckets. (o) Do not use metal ladders or wood ladders with vertical metal parts for electrical work or where they may contact electric conductors. This type ladder must have markings reading “WARNING — do not use around energized electrical equipment” or words of equal meaning. (8) Use of specific types of ladders. (a) Portable stepladders. Do not use stepladders more than 20 feet long. (A) Do not climb on the back section of the ladder unless it has steps meant for climbing. Do not stand on the top step or top cap of stepladders. (B) There must be only one person at a time on the ladder. (C) Do not use stepladders in freestanding positions when not fully opened. Do not use them as supports for working platforms or scaffolding planks. (b) Portable rung ladders. (A) Single ladder. (i) Do not use single ladders more than 30 feet long. (ii) Place these ladders at an angle shown in Figure 1. (iii) The tops must be tied down or secured if there is a possibility of sliding or movement. (iv) Single ladders are acceptable as fixed ladders only when they comply with 437-004-0360. (B) Two-section ladder. (i) Do not use two-section extension ladders more than 60 feet long. All ladders of this type must have two sections, one to fit within the side rails of the other, and arranged so that the upper section will raise and lower. (ii) Set up and use extension ladders so that the top section or fly is resting on the bottom section or base. Rung locks must be in the proper position. (iii) Place these ladders at an angle shown in Figure 1. (iv) The tops must be tied down or secured if there is a possibility of sliding or movement. (v) On two-section extension ladders the minimum overlap for the two sections in use must be as follows: [Figure not included. See ED. NOTE.] (C) Sectional ladder. (i) Do not use assembled combinations of sectional ladders longer than lengths allowed in this subdivision. (ii) Place these ladders at an angle shown in Figure 1. (iii) The tops must be tied down or secured if there is a possibility of sliding or movement. (iv) Do not use three section extension ladders longer than 72 feet. (D) Trestle and extension trestle ladder. Do not use trestle ladders, or extension sections or base sections of extension trestle ladders more than 20 feet long. [ED. NOTE: Figures referenced are available from the agency.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 654.025(2) & 656.726(4) Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 654.001 - 654.295 History: OSHA 9-2006, f. & cert. ef. 9-22-06 OSHA 4-1998, f. 8-28-98, cert. ef. 10-1-98