OSHA Requirements Rolling Ladders & Product Safety
As a supplier of industrial products, safety is one of the most important considerations when selecting a product for your warehouse or stockroom.
Each product must meet certain safety specifications to be used in a warehouse. At SaveMH, ALL of our products are OSHA compliant. If you have any questions or concerns regarding CAL-OSHA or ANSI standards, please contact us.
Review the table below to learn the OSHA 1910.23 Ladder Codes that rolling ladders must meet to be OSHA Compliant.
1910.23 - OSHA Ladder Requirements
| OSHA Requirements for Rolling Ladders 1910.23 - SaveMH | |
|---|---|
| Codes | Definition |
| 1910.23(e) | Mobile ladder stands and platforms |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(i)* | Step width must be at least 16 inches (41 cm) |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(ii) | Steps and platforms must be slip resistant either by design/ construction or secondary process/ operation |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(iii) | Stands and platforms are capable of supporting at least 4x their maximum intended load |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(iv) | Casters or wheels under load must support 4x the maximum intended load, plus their proportional share of the ladders/unit's weight |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(v) | Unless otherwise specified, rolling ladders and platforms with a top step height of 4 feet (1.2 m) or above, must have handrails with a vertical height of 29.5 inches (75 cm) to 37 inches (94 cm), measured from the front edge of a step (Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used instead of handrails in special use applications) |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(vi) | The maximum work-surface height of mobile ladder stands and platforms does not exceed four times the shortest base dimension, without additional support. For greater heights, outriggers, counterweights, or comparable means that stabilize the mobile ladder stands and platforms and prevent overturning must be used |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(vii) | Mobile ladder stands and platforms that have wheels or casters are equipped with a system to impede horizontal movement when an employee is on the stand or platform |
| 1910.23(e)(1)(viii)* | No rolling ladder can move while you or an employee is on it |
| 1910.23(e)(2) | Rolling Ladder Stand Design Requirements. The employer must ensure: |
| 1910.23(e)(2)(i) | Steps are uniformly spaced and arranged, with a rise of not more than 10 inches (25 cm) and a depth of not less than 7 inches (18 cm). The slope of the step stringer to which the steps are attached must not be more than 60 degrees, measured from the horizontal |
| 1910.23(e)(2)(ii) | Rolling ladders with a top step height above 10 feet (3 m) have the top step protected on three sides by a handrail with a vertical height of at least 36 inches (91 cm); and top steps that are 20 inches (51 cm) or more, front to back, have a midrail and toeboard. (Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used instead of handrails in special-use applications) |
| 1910.23(e)(2)(iii) | The standing area of a rolling ladder is within the base frame |
| 1910.23(e)(3) | Platform Design Requirements. The employer must ensure: |
| 1910.23(e)(3)(i) | Steps of mobile ladder stand platforms meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section. When the employer demonstrates that the requirement is not feasible, steeper slopes or vertical rung ladders may be used, provided the units are stabilized to prevent overturning |
| 1910.23(e)(3)(ii) | Rolling ladders with a platform height of 4-10 feet (1.2-3 m) have, in the platform area, handrails with a vertical height of at least 36 inches (91 cm) and midrails |
| 1910.23(e)(3)(iii) | All ladder stand platforms with a platform height above 10 feet (3 m) have guardrails and toeboards on the exposed sides and ends of the platform |
| 1910.23(e)(3)(iv) | Removable gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, may be used on mobile ladder stand platforms instead of handrails and guardrails in special-use applications |
| *Some of the most commonly looked up requirements | |
Rolling Ladder Safety Tips
Each year, there are costly injuries from mobile ladder accidents that could have been prevented if the user followed the manufacturers' and ANSI industry safety standards (ANSI-ASC A14.7 American National Standard for Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms).
Additionally, training must be conducted on the proper use of rolling ladders. Always use caution and remain alert when using any ladder.
Follow these tips to ensure you, your clients, and employees prevent injuries and create a safe workplace.
Workplace Rolling Ladder Training Tips:
- Inspect each ladder for any flaws or damage
- Have a safe and secure place to store ladders
- Review the types of locking mechanisms (weight or manual lock)
- Check weight capacity
- Follow training requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.30: Training Requirements
- Teach usage tips
Mobile Ladder Usage Tips:
- Do not lean off the ladder
- Always use the handrails
- Never use a damaged ladder
- Never move the ladder when someone is on it
- Face the ladder when climbing up or down*
- Do not climb off the top or sides of the ladder
- Do not overload the ladder
- Make sure the ladder's locking mechanism is working
Read OSHA's Working Safely with Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms informational bulletin for more details.
If you are looking for fixed ladder OSHA requirements, our fixed loading dock ladders meet OSHA's requirements as well. Be sure to visit SaveMH's rolling ladder offerings to view some of the rolling ladders we offer.
If by chance any product is damaged during the delivery process, do not use the product and contact us for a solution.
For a downloadable infographic on OSHA requirements for Rolling Ladders that you can print and post in your workplace, visit our blog here.