Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00337:body:0:p20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00337
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 46781–49185

with a diameter at least 25 mm; or
 (iii) a solid metal square bar with sides at least 22 mm and constructed so that 1 of the diagonals of the square is oriented vertically; and
(d) for a ladder with metal bar steps — it must have at least 2 parallel bars arranged on the same horizontal plane, with the distance between the centres of adjacent bars at least 65 mm and not more than 75 mm; and
(e) its side rails must be in a vertical plane; and
(f) it must be fitted on each side with:
 (i) a metal handrail of at least 25 mm diameter; or
 (ii) a suitably tensioned steel wire rope of at least 8 mm diameter encased in PVC tubing of at least 25 mm diameter, substantially supported so that the handrail is parallel to the ladder through points measured l m vertically above the centre of the steps, with the horizontal distance separating the handrails at least 550 mm and not more than 750 mm.
      (2) For a vessel built before 1 August 1998, an inclined ladder with steps that do not comply with paragraph (1)(d) may continue to be used if the gap between adjacent bars of any step is at least 50 mm and not more than 75 mm.
Note   Any replacement ladder would have to comply with paragraph (1)(d).
      (3) An inclined ladder may be arranged in the form of a spiral stairway and must comply with subclause (1) with the following modifications:
(a) the depth of tread at mid-width of each step must be an arc of at least 150 mm and concentric with the perimeter of the spiral stairway;
(b) 1 rail only, on the outer perimeter of the spiral, need be fitted.

15 Clearances
       The following rules apply for clearances:
(a) there must be a clear space of 760 mm by 760 mm in front of each rung of a vertical ladder with no obstructions intruding into the space;
(b) however, the space may be reduced to 600 mm by 600 mm in a trunked accessway;
(c) any obstruction (such as stiffeners or deck plates protruding into the clear space) reducing clearance to less than 650 mm from the ladder to the opposite wall must be plated over or otherwise protected;
(d) a lamp fitting in a trunked accessway must be sited in corners only, with minimum possible projection;
(e) the clearance behind the ladder must be at least 150 mm from the centre of the tread or the rung;
(f) there must be at least 75 mm for hand clearance on each side of the ladder and around vertical hand grips;
(g) access space in front