Stairs & Ladders

CHASSE Building Team and its Trade Partners will provide and install all stairway and ladder fall protection systems before employees begin the work that necessitates the installation and use of stairways, ladders, and their respective fall protection systems.

1. A stairway or ladder will be provided at all personnel points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided.

2. Stairways having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches, whichever is less, will be equipped with:

1. At least one handrail; and

2. One stair rail system along each unprotected side or edge.

   1. Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings will be provided with guardrail systems.

3. When a building or structure has only one point of access between levels, that point of access will be kept clear to permit free passage of employees. When work must be performed or equipment must be used such that free passage at that point of access is restricted, a second point of access will be provided and used.

4. When a building or structure has two or more points of access between levels, at least one point of access will be kept clear to permit free passage of employees.

1. When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails will extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder’s length, then the ladder will be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grab rail, will be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case will the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support.

2. Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic, such as in passageways, doorways, or driveways, will be secured to prevent accidental displacement, or a barricade shall be used to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder.

3. A double-cleated ladder or two or more separate ladders will be provided when ladders are the only mean of access or exit from a working area for 25 or more employees, or when a ladder is to serve simultaneous two-way traffic.

Ladders should be inspected by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use.

1. Ladders should be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards.

2. Ladders should not be loaded beyond the maximum intended load for which they were built, nor beyond their manufacturer’s rated capacity.

3. Ladders should be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.

4. Ladders should be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement.

5. The area around the top and bottom of ladders shall be kept clear.

6. The top or top step of a stepladder will not be used as a step.

7. Cross-bracing on the rear section of stepladders will not be used for climbing unless the ladders are designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections.

8. Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, will either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or be tagged with “Do Not Use” or similar language, and will be withdrawn from service until repaired.

9. Ladder repairs will restore the ladder to a condition meeting its original design criteria, before the ladder is returned to use.

10. When ascending or descending a ladder, the user will face the ladder.

11. Each employee will use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when progressing up and/or down the ladder.

12. An employee will not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall.