Stairways, Ladders, Confined Spaces and Scaffolds
Safe stairways and ladders, the permit system for confined spaces, and how scaffolds are built, inspected and used to prevent falls, with the duties of the competent person.
Pages in this chapter (1 of 3)
9.1 Stairways and Ladders
Stairways and ladders are major sources of injury and death for construction workers. OSHA has estimated about 24,882 injuries and 36 deaths a year from falls from stairways and ladders used in construction in various industries, and almost half of the injuries are serious enough to keep a person from work.
The standard applies to all stairways and ladders used in alteration, construction, repair (including painting and decorating) and demolition work that is covered by the construction standards. It does not apply to ladders made specially for scaffold access, but does apply to general purpose ladders used for scaffold access.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Portable ladder | A ladder that can easily be moved or carried. |
| Fixed ladder | A ladder that is part of a building or structure and cannot easily be moved. |
| Single cleat ladder | Two side rails joined by cleats, rungs or steps. |
| Double cleat ladder | A ladder with a centre rail for two way traffic. |
| Job made ladder | A ladder made by workers on site, not commercially manufactured. |
| Handrail | A rail that gives a handhold for support. |
| Stair rail system | A vertical barrier along the unprotected sides and edges of a stairway. |
| Tread depth | The horizontal distance from front to back of a tread, excluding the nosing. |
| Point of access | Any area used for passage from one level to another. |
| Failure | Load refusal, breakage or separation of components. |
Ladder rules
- Keep ladders in safe, good condition. Inspect them before use and remove damaged ladders from service.
- Keep the area around the top and bottom clear, and keep ladders away from slippery surfaces.
- Rungs are spaced 10 to 14 inches apart, and cleats and steps are uniformly spaced.
- Use a ladder only for what it is designed for. Do not tie ladders together to make a longer one unless designed for it, and never overload a ladder. Respect the maker's rated capacity.
- Set a portable ladder at a safe angle, about one foot out for every four feet of height, and extend the side rails at least 3 feet above the landing, or secure the ladder and give a grab handle.
- Face the ladder and keep three points of contact. Do not carry a load that makes you lose your grip.
- Secure the ladder at the top and bottom so that it cannot slip. Never use a metal ladder near electrical equipment or power lines.
Stairways
A stairway with four or more risers, or rising more than 30 inches, needs at least one handrail. Open sides at a height of 6 feet or more need a stair rail system. Stairs must be free of hazards such as protruding nails, and temporary stairs must have a landing at every 12 feet of vertical rise.
A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.