New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR › Chapter I - Industrial Board Of Appeals › Subchapter A - The Industrial Code › Part 23 - Protection In Construction, Demolition And Excavation Operations › Subpart 23-1 - General Provisions › Section 23-1.21 - Ladders and ladderways

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a)
Approval required.
Any metal or fiberglass ladder which is 10 feet or more
						in length shall be approved. Any other ladder not named or described in this
						Part (rule) shall not be used unless approved.
(b)
General requirements for
					 ladders.
(1)
Strength.
Every ladder shall be capable of sustaining without
					 breakage, dislodgment or loosening of any component at least four times the
					 maximum load intended to be placed thereon.
(2)
Opaque protective coatings
					 prohibited.
The use of an opaque protective coating on any ladder is
					 prohibited.
(3)
Maintenance
					 and replacement.
All ladders shall be maintained in good condition. A
					 ladder shall not be used if any of the following conditions exist:
(i) If it has a broken member or
					 part.
(ii) If it has any insecure
					 joints between members or parts.
(iii) If it has any wooden rung or step that
					 is worn down to three-quarters or less of its original thickness.
(iv) If it has any flaw or defect of material
					 that may cause ladder failure.
(4)
Installation and use.
(i) Any portable ladder used as a regular
					 means of access between floors or other levels in any building or other
					 structure shall be nailed or otherwise securely fastened in place. Such a
					 ladder shall extend at least 36 inches above the upper floor, level or landing
					 or handholds shall be provided at such upper levels to afford safe means of
					 access to or egress from the ladder. Such a ladder shall be inclined a maximum
					 of three inches for each foot of rise.
(ii) All ladder footings shall be firm.
					 Slippery surfaces and insecure objects such as bricks and boxes shall not be
					 used as ladder footings.
(iii) A
					 leaning ladder shall be rigid enough to prevent excessive sag under expected
					 maximum loading conditions.
(iv)
					 When work is being performed from ladder rungs between six and 10 feet above
					 the ladder footing, a leaning ladder shall be held in place by a person
					 stationed at the foot of such ladder unless the upper end of such ladder is
					 secured against side slip by its position or by mechanical means. When work is
					 being performed from rungs higher than 10 feet above the ladder footing,
					 mechanical means for securing the upper end of such ladder against side slip
					 are required and the lower end of such ladder shall be held in place by a
					 person unless such lower end is tied to a secure anchorage or safety feet are
					 used.
(v) The upper end of any
					 ladder which is leaning against a slippery surface shall be mechanically
					 secured against side slip while work is being performed from such
					 ladder.
(5)
Wooden ladder rungs.
(i)
					 Round ladder rungs shall be not less than one and one-eighth inches in diameter
					 and oval rungs shall be of equal strength. The tenons of rungs shall be not
					 less than seven-eighths inch in diameter. All tenons shall fit tightly into
					 holes which shall either extend through the side rails or be bored so as to
					 give at least thirteen-sixteenths inch of bearing to the tenons. In
					 through-bore construction, the tenons shall be flush with the outside rail
					 surface of the ladder. All tenon holes shall be located on the center lines of
					 the wide faces of the side rails. The shoulders of each rung shall fit firmly
					 against the side rails and the tenons secured in place with nails or the
					 equivalent to prevent the tenons from turning.
(ii) Rung spacing shall be uniform and shall
					 be not less than 12 inches nor more than 14 inches, center to center.
(6)
Ladder
					 splicing.
Ladders shall not be spliced to increase their length except
					 that extension pieces may be spliced to the upper ends of ladders for use as
					 handholds. Such extension pieces shall not bear against the ladder supporting
					 object or structure.
(7)
Limited use of metal ladders.
Metal ladders shall not be used
					 or placed in any location where they may come into contact with any energized
					 electric power line, power facility or any exposed electrical parts of
					 apparatus or equipment.
(8)
Spreaders.
All ladders with spreading bases, such as step and
					 trestle ladders, shall be equipped with locking type spreaders to hold such
					 bases rigid when in the open position.
(9)
Placement of ladders in door
					 openings.
Ladders shall not be placed in door openings unless the
					 doors are securely fastened open, closed and locked or otherwise effectively
					 guarded against swinging.
(10)
Prohibited types of ladders.
The use of single pole (scaling)
					 ladders or rail type ladders where the rungs or cleats are attached across the
					 pole or rail is prohibited.