National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

Fixed ladders are often the only means ofaccess to roofs, pits, silos, all types of

towers, platforms, chimneys, tanks, shipmasts and other limited-access areas wherethe installation of stairs is not feasible. Fixedladders are sometimes intended to be usedfor access to and also work from the ladderbut this is only acceptable if provided with aguardrailed work platform alongside andswing gate to step through with proper fallprotection for hands free work. The use ofwork positioning harness equipment in suchlocations is not recommended because thepurpose of the ladder design is only foraccess in the current standards.2. This data sheet discusses the hazards ofladders permanently attached to structuresand the procedures and devices necessaryto protect from these hazards. For designrequirements, refer to American NationalStandard A14.3-2002, Safety Requirementsfor Fixed Ladders and to appropriate indus-try, Federal (EM 385-1-1), state and localregulations.3. A fixed ladder can consist of individualrungs, each separately attached to a siderail, which are attached to the structure in apermanent way such as by welding or bolt-ing. Structures include buildings, towers ofall kinds, tanks and other equipment uponwhich the ladders are located, such aschimneys and pits. Another type of ladderhas rungs or cleats secured inside side railsof metal round tubing, square tubing orother shapes or fiberglass or wood. Theyare attached to the structure by brackets,in full length or sections, or by fasteningdevices from the side rails to the structure. 4. Climbing protection devices, also knownas ladder safety systems, when installed

and designed for use with fixed ladders,are intended to prevent the ladder userfrom falling more than 18 inches. Cagesare intended to provide a feeling of securi-ty while climbing and there is no relianceon the ability to arrest a fall.

Hazards5. The major hazard in the use of fixed lad-ders is falling with the result of likelysevere injury or death. OSHA/BLS has

Fixed ladders and climbing protection devices

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Figure 1. This climber is using a full body harness

with frontal D-ring and snaphook connection to the

climbing sleeve on a flexible cable-type carrier.

(Photo courtesy of Miller Fall Protection, Sperian Fall

Protection, Inc.)

National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

recorded 26 fall deaths from fixed laddersduring an 11-year period. Fall hazards areeither design or training related. Design-related hazards are: Non-uniform spacingof rungs attached by methods other thandrilling each side rail and welding the rungon each side; rungs other than round; fail-ure to provide horizontal grab bars forextension side rails (including roof hatches)and failure to provide 7 inches of toe space

behind rungs. Training-related hazards are:Carrying objects such as papers, tools andequipment; holding side rails; leaning toofar to the side of the ladder and failure touse three-point contact which optimizeslower risk factors.6. Other hazards include:a. Scratch and puncture wounds from

burrs on the ladder, corrosion, poorsplices or foreign materials that are not apart of the ladder

b. Incorrect climbing procedures, such assliding the rails or failure to use installedfall protection systems

7. The fall hazard can be offset by installa-tion and proper use of available climbingprotection devices (Figure 1).8. Other hazards can be minimized byproperly documented maintenance, propertraining of personnel and by review of prop-er design prior to installation of fixed lad-ders (Figure 2).

Selection of personnel9. Some individuals experience a feeling ofinstability or panic when climbing laddersand can become disoriented. Othersbecome frightened and suddenly aware ofthe fall hazard and freeze on the ladder. Insuch instances, the climber must be talkeddown, assisted and sometimes forciblyremoved from the ladder. Persons withsuch tendencies should be disqualified aspotential fixed ladder users unless theirfears can be overcome by training. Thehigher the ladder, the higher the risk.10. Potential ladder users must be physi-cally capable of the exertion required. Theyshould be medically certified to be freefrom a history of heart disease, vertigo,seizures, fainting spells or other physicalimpairments that might make climbing par-ticularly dangerous.

• Climb deliberately and without haste.

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Figure 2. Three-point contact must always be used

when climbing ladders, using two hands and one foot

or two feet and one hand to maintain prudent contact

with the ladder at all times. (Illustration courtesy of

Construction Safety Association of Ontario.) Note:

Ten feet is the trigger height for fall protection on sup-

ported scaffolds.

National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

• Never run up or down a ladder and neverslide down a ladder.

• Never jump from a ladder.• Check footing before alighting from a

ladder.• Wear shoes with heels and keep

footwear clean.• See Training section to meet 1926.1060.

Design and installation11. The design of fixed ladder systemsmust be under the supervision of a quali-fied, registered structural engineer or archi-tect skilled in safe design of fixed ladders.12. Anyone responsible for the design,construction and installation of fixed laddersmust be familiar with the provisions of theAmerican National Standard A14.3-2002,Safety, Requirements for Fixed Ladders: Inaddition, review the applicable regulationspromulgated in the United States under theOccupational Safety and Health Act, as wellas Federal Administration, (EM385-1-1(11/03) Corps of Engineers App. J), state orprovincial and local regulations.13. The minimum open width for a runglength, 16 inches, is required in StandardA14.3-2002 and is of particular importancefor ladders equipped with acceptableclimbing protection devices to allow footspace. Rungs must be 3⁄4 inch or 1 inch indiameter depending on likelihood for corro-sion. Side rails should be 1⁄2 inch by 21⁄2 inch-es so extension side rails need not besupported for stability. Horizontal grab barsare necessary for momentary grabbing therung or equivalent if the foot slips. Siderails should be bar stock but never angleiron or channel that cannot be grippedeffectively under fall conditions.14. A fixed ladder must never be installed ina manner detrimental to personnel who maybe on the underside of a ladder when climb-ing. Reverse climbing slopes are prohibited.15. Fixed ladders (at least the extension

side rails) must extend a minimum of 42inches above the landings they serve. Theyshould be equipped with horizontal grabbars in case the feet slip from the rungs sothe hands can be used effectively.According to U.S. Army EM 385-1-1 4(d):“Horizontal grab bars shall be provided tofacilitate grip. Grab bar diameters shall bespaced by a continuation of the rung spac-ing. Grab bar diameters shall be the equiv-alent of round rung diameters.”16. All roof access ladders with point ofaccess at an elevated location should havea cage and/or ladder safety devices to deteror protect against falls (Figures 3 and 4).Ladders with a length of climb of morethan 24 feet must have a cage or climbingprotection (Figure 4). The cage must start 7to 8 feet above the ground or the platform

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Figure 3. A typical elevated platform ladder has a

guardrail and a fall protection system such as a self-

retracting lanyard mounted above the platform.

(Courtesy Sellstrom/RTC.)

National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

landing where the ladder begins. CFR1910.27(d)(ii) regulations are similar cagesor ladder safety systems at 20 feet.17. Provide adequate illumination to safe-guard personnel where necessary. A mini-mum lighting intensity of five foot-candlesis suggested per IES Chapter 29, 9th edi-tion. Install lamps so they do not glare. All

lighting fixtures must be guarded from van-dalism, electrically insulated and grounded.18. Where environmental conditions areoily, icy or wet, completely enclose fixedladders if possible. Note: Some manufactur-ers of climbing protection rail systems pro-vide a heating wire to melt ice on the rail19. If fixed ladders are on structure exteri-ors accessible to the public, the bottom 7to 8 feet must be excluded from publicaccess. A fence with locked gates may befeasible, or the unguarded portion maderemovable and used only as needed suchas many transmission or telecommunica-tion towers.20. At the base of each fixed ladder, theremust be a warning sign to prohibit use byunauthorized personnel.21. Warning! Fixed ladders must not beinstalled within reach of existing electricalconductors nor should new electrical con-ductors be installed near a fixed ladder.Long tools or jets of water may causegrounding and warnings may be needed ifthe hazards are analyzed carefully and can-not be eliminated.22. Item 7.3.1 of the Safety Requirementsfor Fixed Ladders reads as follows: “Thesafety sleeve shall be above the top forproper dismount and subsequent access.23. Acceptable types of climbing protec-tion systems are as follows:a. A rail or wire cable fixed to the ladder, on

which a sleeve travels. Rails providemore stability and are less easily dam-aged by wind vibration. Cable stays arerequired every 40 feet apart to avoidwind vibration contact damage. Workersmay fail to reinstall them properly lead-ing to broken cable wires that couldaffect the smooth operation of the climb-ing protection device.

b. A sleeve fastened to the climber’s fullbody harness by snaphook and/or a

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Figure 4. This fixed ladder has a cage. Note: There

must be a platform for every 50 feet of ladder, as

given in ANSI A14.3-2002 “shall be of a type which

can be operated entirely hands-free by the person

using the ladder safety system. It shall permit the

person using the ladder safety system to ascend or

descend without having to continually manipulate the

safety sleeve.”

Note: Some climbing protection devices may stick

due to lack of oils particularly low temperature sili-

cones in cold icy weather or from ambient dust and

dirt around sliding or rotating parts.

(Courtesy Sellstrom/RTC.)

National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

short connector; the total length ofwhich should be 9 inches. Note: For har-ness connection at the chest, a 12-inchconnection may be required for properclimbing if the manufacturer has testedfor a 24-inch free fall. Make sure the con-nection does not twist the device so itlocks too quickly.

c. A roof hatch that opens onto a flat com-mercial roof needs to be strong enoughfor a security barrier and rigid enough toact as an anchorage point for fall arrestdevices. Exterior extension side railsequipped with horizontal grab bars arerequired in the U.S. Army Safety ManualEM385-1-1 (11/03) standard for properaccess and especially descent from theroof. Appendix J 3h: “Openings shall beprovided with elevated horizontal grabbars to facilitate access and exit fromupper levels”

24. The need for a flared upper extensionside rail section depends on whether theclimber has tools around his/her waistlineon a tool belt. It is normally sufficient tohave an 18-inch opening for persons tostep through and little need for the 24 to36-inch openings once required whencranes or hoists were not available for lift-ing tool boxes and equipment onto plat-forms overhead.25. Install these devices according to themanufacturer’s instructions. Note: Climbingprotection systems are intended for mainte-nance work and possibly operations insome applications where practical. Thesesystems are only applicable for emergencyescape when sufficient harnesses andclimbing protection devices with connect-ing means exist in a secured and protectedenclosure for a stated capacity. Remoteclimbing locations, such as telecommunica-tions towers should have secured and pro-tective containers at the base of eachladder with user documentation.

26. At a steady climbing speed, the sleeveslides up and down without hindrance. Ifthe climber falls, however, a locking cam orfriction brake is activated to automaticallystop the fall. Climbing down too quicklyoften causes the sensitive climbing protec-tion device to lock causing unnecessaryaggravation with the system. 27. The top side of the rail or cable (brack-et) must extend 3 feet above the top land-ing for proper dismount and subsequentaccess.28. Sufficiently close distances arerequired to allow the climber to alight fromthe ladder and position behind a protectivegate or barrier before disengaging from theclimbing protection device, or to reattachthe climbing protection device before step-ping onto the ladder. A ladder safety gate isrequired to provide protection on the plat-form and to allow detachment or reattach-ment to the safety device before theexposure of the opening is permitted.Users must hold different rungs in eachhand as they climb in case corrosion hasoccurred. 29. Item 4.1.4.2 of ANSI A14.3-2002, SafetyRequirements for Fixed Ladders, reads asfollows: “Ladder safety systems shall beused when the length of climb of a ladder orsection ladders exceeds 50 feet in a singlelength of climb and rest platforms shall beprovided at maximum intervals of 150 feet.”Note: OSHA 1910.27(d)(2) states 20 feetwithout a cage and 30 feet with a cage, restor landing platforms must be provided.

Inspection and maintenance30. Before general use is permitted, aninspection must be made and documentedof every new fixed ladder installation todetermine that it has been installed inaccordance with the provisions of theAmerican National Standards Institute andthe applicable federal, state or provincial,

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National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

6

and local regulations and the instructionsclimbing protection system manufacturer.A checklist containing the requirements inthis data sheet is recommended. Inspectall ladders regularly, such as every sixmonths determining the intervals betweeninspection by use and exposure but noperiod greater than 12 months.31. A warning and sign shall be postedthat a proper harness with a frontal D-ringand 9-inch connection shall only be used,and that full-body harnesses and 6-foot,shock-absorbing lanyards or their equiva-lent are prohibited for use with the climb-ing protection system. Periodic inspectionof all fixed ladders, cages and climbing pro-tection devices, and the prompt correctionof any defects are imperative to their con-tinued use.32. Some hazards to look for during peri-odic inspections are:• Loose, worn and damaged or corroded

rungs or side rails• Damaged or corroded parts of the cage • Corroded or loose bolts and rivet heads,

especially on the inside of metal stacks• Damaged or corroded handrails and

brackets on platforms• Deteriorated masonry where fixed ladder

anchorages are secured to a structure• Defects in climbing device tolerances,

including damaged snaphooks, loose ordamaged carrier rails or cables

• Unauthorized parts in the system, such asincompatible snaphooks or connectors

• Smooth rungs in the center portion mustbe made slip-resistant

• Lack of horizontal grab bars in the area ofextension side rails

• Objects and pipes within 27 inches ofthe climbing face of the ladder that mayinterfere with climbing

• Sufficient foot space either side of thecarrier for safe climbing

• No obstruction behind the ladder for

seven inches at any location during theclimb

33. Training: To meet 1926.1060:• Proper climbing: use of flexible gloves

with adequate friction• Boots with steel or synthetic spine or

shank and a well-defined heel• Grasp rungs with full-hand rounded grip

only, never side rails, to avoid cata-strophic fall consequences.

• Do not climb ladders with sharp edgerungs that could cut or injure the handsgrip capacity in a fall or during repeatclimbing usage.

• Climb with face toward ladder only.• Step on rungs between the ball of the

sole and the heel.• Only hold one particular rung with a

hand; grasp another rung with the otherhand

• Do not sit on a ladder platform guardrailor stand up on a midrail.

• Practice three-point climbing with closeobservation of a supervisor or trainer.(Note: this is a counterintuitive tech-nique and must be regularly practicedwith supervision)

34. Rescue: Tested climbing protectionsystems are certified to have survived a 500pounds free-fall through 18 inches or thedistance of free fall dictated by twice theconnecting distance between the harnessand the climbing protection device. The rea-son that 500 pounds was chosen for thetest in the 1940s was based on rescue by agovernment climber who would piggybackunder a stricken climber, lifting his connect-ing device to permit both climbers todescend. Thus two climbers at 250 poundseach would equal 500 pounds betweenattachments of the ladder to the structure.That concept has been abandoned in thepast 20 years (but not the test) due to diffi-

National Safety CouncilData Sheet 606 Rev. August 2007

culty by trained climber rescuers. Thus pul-leys and rope rescue and self-retracting lan-yards have become more popular as toolsfor prompt rescue with suitable front orback D-ring suspension points. Whereheights are several hundred feet, it is notenough to designate the local fire depart-ments that are often under-equipped andlack speedy provision of manpower. Hencerope access systems used by trained tech-nicians in a crew are becoming the optionof choice throughout the world for climbingand emergency descent.35. Scaffold ladders: portable, hook-on,attachable or integral frame access is per-mitted by OSHA 1926.451(e) with refer-ence to Subpart X for portable ladders.However, integral frame ladders must havehorizontal members less than 163⁄4 inchesapart and be uniformly spaced exceptbetween frames, at least 8 inches inlength. No access using cross-braces ispermitted. Fall protection is required over10 feet for access and a competent personmust determine feasibility for erection,moving or dismantling. Self-retracting lan-yards installed above shoulder height arerecommended for tube and couplerattached ladders and integral frame ladders36. Non-compliant Ladders: some struc-tures like grain silos offer door handles forclimbing and an aluminum or concreteenclosure for grain pouring that can act asa cage. Others are 12-inches rung width forladder access to railroad signals. Somewater tower manufacturers and merchantmarine shipbuilders provide diamondshape rungs on fixed ladders. Helicoptermaintenance access to the rotor bladeshave recessed steps and grab bars.Scaffold ladder frames may not be classi-fied as a fixed ladder; likewise trailers andtankers for road and rail. Rebar mattes aresimilar to fixed ladders. Curved water tank

bowl ladders and astronomy dishes withflat angles less than 70 degrees pose pos-ture and connection length problems forclimbers. For all these types of climbingstructures the answer may be back-up fallprotection both before and after the lad-ders are standardized in respective industrystandards. Step bolts are occasionally analternative to ladders with offset or parallelsteps consisting of bolts with heads to limitside slipping but pose a severe injury haz-ard if a faller catches a bolt under a bodypart, and are known to fail on transmissiontowers from time to time while climbingand should be proof-tested periodically.

Sources of informationAmerican National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd

Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10036.

Safety Requirements for Fixed Ladders, A14.3-2002.

U.S. Army Safety and Health Requirements ManualEM 385-1-1 (11/03).

HSE Report on caged ladders: Preliminary investigationinto the fall-arresting effectiveness of ladder safetyhoops. HSE Research Report 258 (Safety Squared2004), http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr258.pdf.

AcknowledgmentThis data sheet was revised by theConstruction Division membership, of theNational Safety Council, 1121 Spring LakeDrive, Itasca, IL 60143.

Copyright 2008 National Safety Council. All rights reserved.

Although the information and recommendations con-

tained in this publication have been compiled from

sources believed to be reliable, the National Safety

Council makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no

responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or

completeness of such information or recommenda-

tions. Other or additional safety measures may be

required under particular circumstances.

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