Wilgard® Ladder Safety Swing Gate Wilgard® Ladder Safety Swing Gate Wildeck's Laddergard™ safety swing gates are self-closing and meet OSHA 1910.23 safety requirements. Simply put, chains, once a viable option for protection of ladder access, are no longer allowed by OSHA. Ladder Compliance with New OSHA Requirements . Lost your password? Currently, under OSHA standard 1910.27 cages are required on ladders where the climbs are over 20’h. The ladders states the passage through the railing must be protected by a swinging gate or offset so that a person cannot walk directly into the opening.” OSHA believes the intent of the exemption in paragraph (c) was to allow other than a standard, fixed, guardrail at the entrance to a fixed ladder. Email Us. While this standard (OSHA 1910.29) is more specific about swing-gate requirements at the top of ladderway openings, like the previous standard (OSHA 1910.23), pieces have to be collected from different sections to get a full understanding of what is required. Industrial Hygiene . Do I Need a Swing Gate on My Fixed Ladder? This means that a simple swing gate, sliding, gate, chain or removable railing is not acceptable. To protect the worker exiting a ladder, OSHA requires a 42-inch high grab bar extension above the access level or landing platform at the top of the ladder. Ladder holes protected by a guardrail system to protect each employee from falling. Rusted spring-closing or compression gates no longer capable of self-closing will need repair or replacement. Fixed ladder with offset landing platform. While these illustrations do not include every possibility of what is out there, they do give a good idea of what to look for when replacing and/or purchasing new safety gates. Above is a very common ladder mount position. Ladder and Stairway Safety Gates are … Industrial swing gate, swinging safety gates & adjustable safety gates from YellowGate comply to OSHA fall protection and are ANSI yellow. Work is performed further down the platform but it is possible to fall directly down the ladder opening. Scope This Practice provides design guidelines for typical OSHA-regulated fixed ladders, ladder safety systems/personal fall arrest systems and cages as specified and detailed for fabrication in Using Modular Building Materials to Build a Control Room in a Steel Plant, Limiting the spread of COVID-19 with Acrylic Face Shields, Let A-Mezz Help Tackle Maintenance Projects That Have Been On Hold, Why You Need to Protect your Equipment with Guardrail, Storage Platform with Shelves and Security Cage, Pedestrian Traffic Control Signs Mounted on Gates, Why You Need to Protect your Equipment with Guardrail - A-Mezz Blog, Tool Cribs Cut Down Lost Time and Tools - A-Mezz - A-Mezz Blog, Replace stairs in tight fit locations and meet code, Using Welded Wire Partition Panels Around Site Obstructions - A-Mezz Blog Using Welded Wire Partition Panels Around Obstructions, OSHA Changes Ladder Fall Protection Requirements (OSHA 1910.28). Click here to learn more about OSHA’s current walking-working surfaces standard. October 24, 2017 . With that orientation, you would fall onto the ladder landing and then hit the rear railing, not fall through the ladder opening. OSHA doesn’t say you MUST use a gate, but gives situations in which a gate could be your solution and, if you so choose, what requirements must that safety gate meet. Per OSHA 1910.23(d)(4) – The side rails of through or sidestep ladders must extend 42 inches above the top of the access level or … Note: Per OSHA regulations, the rails must rise at least three feet above the elevated surface being accessed. A dual-gate system does not depend on an operator to remember and make an effort to close the barrier. OSHA requirements have always been a complex topic, but OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection Standards may have made things even more complicated for some facilities. If you are wondering when a fixed ladder requires fall protection, which forms of ladder fall protection are OSHA compliant, or if ladder cages still comply with OSHA’s revised ruling, we have just the post for you….. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the newly revised Walking-Working Surfaces standard at the end of 2016, and it went into effect Jan. 17, 2017. Ann, the new requirements state that the fall protection requirements are for ladders that “extend more than 24 feet above the lower level”. Then in 2009 they officially stated their enforcement position in a Regional Memo that DID include ladderway opening on the edge of a platform. Published on BIC Magazine at: https://www.bicmagazine.com/departments/hse/new-osha-safety-gate-standard/. Your email address will not be published. If the ladder was rotated to the left side of the landing it would require a safety gate because then the ladder opening would no longer be offset. 1910.23 Guarding Floor & Wall Openings & Holes (a) Protection of floor openings, (a.2) Guard ladderway floor openings or platforms like a stairway floor opening with passage through the railing either provided with a swinging gate or offset so a person cannot walk directly into the opening. A self-closing gate that slides or swings AWAY from the hole. The latest OSHA revisions include the following criteria for OSHA 1910.29: “Fall protection systems and falling object protection — criteria and practices.” The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: For more information regarding this new standard, visit www.intrepidindustries.com or www.osha.gov, call (281) 479-8301 or email Paxton Guidroz at pguidroz@intrepidindustries.com. 1910.23 (d) (13) (ii) A minimum perpendicular distance of 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the steps or rungs to the nearest object on the climbing side. What should you look for when reviewing your current safe access/fall protection configuration. The top-rail and bottom-rail are spaced to match the standard railing dimensions required by Federal OSHA. Single-barrier systems that meet OSHA specifications only meet OSHA when the barriers are closed. Must be equipped with top rails and mid-rails, or equivalent intermediate members, that meet the requirements in final paragraph (b) (13) (i). In ANSI MH 28.3-2009 section 6.4.3, a barrier is required to be in place to secure pallet drop areas at all times, even while the area is being used for handling materials. Ladders installed before this date that have safety cages must have landing platforms at intervals of 50 feet or less. High-traffic access ladders can present many risks and are often located in obscure areas. The passage through the railing, however, must be protected by a swinging gate or offset so that a person cannot walk directly into the opening. Must have a top rail height of 42 inches, plus/minus 3 inches. Guardrail systems should be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 pounds applied in a downward or outward direction Push the gate open to step onto the elevated surface; a self-closing mechanism automatically closes it. Instead of going through all the verbiage, this article simplifies it through images. SafeRack. The above ladder accesses a platform and then turns to access the main walkway. 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(B) You can choose any PFAS provided it meets the OSHA requirements.1926.502(d) PLEASE NOTE:A ladder that is less than 24’ feet high does “not”require a fall arrest system of any sort. Therefore, according to OSHA, a gate is required at the top of all ladders. Landing platforms … If your walking-working surface is elevated more than 4 feet off the ground, your guide to the newly revised OSHA standard is below. This self-closing swing gate provides 42" top- and mid-rail protection to help ensure that your employees go home safe each night. The opening is at the end of the platform – meaning there are immediately 3 sides covered with guardrails, midrails, and toeboards. Must be equipped with top rails and mid-rails, or equivalent intermediate members, that meet the requirements in final paragraph (b)(13)(i). Wildeck’s Laddergard™ is the perfect cost-effective solution to improve safety in your facility. Must be equipped with top rails and mid-rails, or equivalent intermediate members, that meet the requirements in final paragraph (b)(13)(i). Must have a top rail height of 42 inches, plus/minus 3 inches. SUPERIOR LADDER WAY SAFETY: All fixed ladders installed after November 18, 2018 that are over 24 feet are required to have ladder safety systems. So two key points here is that the old 20 foot requirement no longer applies and secondly it is not the length of the ladder that is important, but the distance that a worker may fall to the “lower level” if they were to fall from the ladder. EFCOG Industrial Hygiene & Safety Task Group Meeting . Fortunately, the OSHA- and ANSI-compliant Ladder Safety Gate from PS DOORS provides proven protection, minimizing . Paragraph §1910.23 (c) (1) requires a standard railing on all open-sided floors or platforms 4 feet or more above floor or ground level, except at entrances to ramps, stairways, or fixed ladders. The most common ladder installation locations are not offset and as such require safety gates. Start auditing walking-working surface compliance today. This includes fall arrest systems. It is an easy either/or. As you can see above, if someone fell while at the main walkway they would fall onto the ladder landing surface, they would not fall down the ladder opening. With the update to OSHA's Walking/Working Surface rule last year, there has been a focus on the change in requirements for the use of ladder cages versus ladder safety devices. (2)(i) Mid-rails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface. This standard opens up gate requirements to manhole covers, roof hatches and other similar systems that would remain open while accessed. The Ladder Safety Gate is a self-closing swing gate, which is economical, reliable, easy to install and closely matches the railings and their dimensional requirements provided for by Federal OSHA. Only a dual-gate system ensures compliance with OSHA because a dual-gate system will always have a barrier in place. John Hill . https://www.bicmagazine.com/departments/hse/new-osha-safety-gate-standard/. This is important because the previous standard only required that it be a swinging gate. So what exactly do the new revisions mean regarding the use of safety gates? the chances of a fall on elevated platforms, mezzanines or ladder ways. Please enter your username or email address. See the below top view sketch for clarification. There is often confusion when defining a safety gate. 5 thoughts on “ OSHA Changes Ladder Fall Protection Requirements (OSHA 1910.28) ” Philip Merli July 25, 2017 at 9:18 am. Does the only open side in the floor opening require a swinging gate even at a short distance to the next ladder? The Ladder Safety Gate is a self-closing swing gate which is economical, reliable, easy to install, and more closely matches the railings and their dimensional requirements provided for by Federal OSHA. Do you need a ladder gate at your ladder opening in your railing? OSHA’s standard requires that a safety gate: Must be self-closing. Often you may see safety chains or a single bar placed at … Copyright 2021 Intrepid Industries | All Rights Reserved. The gate arm is dimensioned to provide maximum opening coverage. The newest OSHA revisions include the following criteria for OSHA 1910.29 (b): “Fall protection systems and falling object protection — criteria and practices.” The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements: To provide even more insight, below is a simplified list of some key areas to focus on when evaluating your current conditions. This ladder is offset and would not require a swing gate at the opening. Ideal for elevated platforms, mezzanines or equipment, and anywhere there is an opening in your railing system, which is accessed by ladders, stairway or ships ladder. (2)(iv) Other equivalent intermediate members, such as additional mid-rails and architectural panels, are installed so that the openings are not more than 19 inches (48 centimeters) wide. This means that every ladder opening needs to be either (a) Offset so that a person cannot walk (or fall) directly into the opening or (b) Protected by a ladder safety gate. The only example above that didn’t need a gate was the second ladder location. "(a)(2) Every ladderway floor opening or platform shall be guarded by a standard railing with standard toe-board on all exposed sides (except at entrance to opening), with passage through the railing either provided with a swing gate or so off-set that a person cannot walk directly into the opening." Must have a top rail height of 42 inches, plus/minus 3 inches. Category: OSHA Compliance Posts Published: 18 August 2017 For years, OSHA had taken a position on when/where "swing gates" were actually required and that position was that it did NOT apply to fixed ladders on the edge of a platform. Meets or exceeds OSHA requirements. The above fixed ladder is mounted onto the side of the platform. Required fields are marked *. A swing gate is a requirement at this location. They are constructed of strong structural steel that with stands the daily use and abuse that many other ladder gates can not provide. Seems like it would be actually adding a hazard for someone trying to get onto the platform. These rules specify when employers must provide stairways and ladders. The floor opening access is to your right as you ascend the ladder. Picture this: a fixed ladder going up to a floor opening in a platform. General Requirements. According to OSHA 1910.28(b)(3)(iv)“Each employee is protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system and toeboards erected on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole, where a self-closing gate or an offset must be used.”. In addition, employers must install all stairway and ladder fall protection systems required by these rules and ensure that their worksite meets all requirements of the stairway and ladder rules before employees use stairways or ladders; OSHA regulations regarding ladder use and applicable to ladders can be found at the following links: Adjustable Swing Direction. Must either slide or swing away from the hole. May not contain an opening greater than 19 inches in the least dimension. This is not offset. You can walk directly to the ladder opening from where work is/can be expected to be performed and as such, a safety gate is required at the ladder opening. According to OSHA 1910.28(b)(3)(iv) “Each employee is protected from falling into a ladderway floor hole or ladderway platform hole by a guardrail system and toeboards erected on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the hole, where a self-closing gate or an offset must be used.” Gravity-closing gates can no longer be held open with bungee cords to prevent self-closure. I can send a pic if you want to take a look. OSHA Reference 29 CFR 1910.23 guarding of floor openings and holes. Wildeck’s self-closing Laddergard™ Safety Swing Gates are adjustable to fit openings from 16” to 40” and comply with OSHA 1910.23 safety requirements. Must either slide or swing away from the hole. As you can see from the above sketch, there is a single direction of travel to the ladder from the catwalk. Ideal for elevated platforms, mezzanines or equipment, and anywhere there is an opening in your railing system, which is accessed by ladders, stairway or ships ladder. These can be used to help you determine the appropriate course of action in and around any holes, openings or current access points with or without safety gates. Ladder safety gates are always in place, always swing closed and always protect you. In OSHA’s new standard (OSHA standard 1910.28) taking effect 11/19/2018, ladders will not be required to have fall protection until their height is over 24’ (24’-0-1/4” requires fall protection). Below you will see some photos of ladders and top view sketches clarifying why each of their orientations either do or do not require a gate. Gate functionality requirements are: Must be self-closing; Must either slide or swing away from the hole; Must be equipped with top rails and midrails or equivalent intermediate members that meet the requirements in final paragraph (b) (final paragraph (b)(13)(i)) Safety Chain and Safety Gate Use. It’s cheaper than letting OSHA do it for you. Now that we know what the code requirement is, it is time to review a few common ladder mounting orientations to discuss where they fall under the code. Your email address will not be published. Top view sketch of side mounted fixed ladderway opening. They are also required to have rest platforms every 150 feet or less. This one can be tricky until you lay it out from the top view. And bottom-rail are spaced to match the standard railing dimensions required by Federal OSHA access, are no longer of... Mid-Rail protection to help ensure that your employees go home safe each night access/fall configuration... Understand, there osha swing gate requirements for ladders another significant change that DID include ladderway opening much attention many... Over 20 ’ h not acceptable a swing gate wildeck 's Laddergard™ safety swing gate is single. Dimensioned to provide maximum opening coverage would not require a swing gate wildeck 's Laddergard™ safety swing gate is at., secure the ladder opening in your facility are not offset and as such would require a swing wilgard®... Self-Closing swing gate provides 42 '' top- and mid-rail protection to help ensure your. Changes ladder fall protection and are ANSI yellow always in place, always swing closed and always protect.. You will receive a link to create a new password via email or. Slew of questions on fixed ladders installed after November 18, 2018 that are over 24 feet are required have! Accesses a platform sketch, there is often confusion when defining a safety gate must. Of the platform but it is possible to fall directly down the platform be... Dimensioned to provide maximum opening coverage walking-working surface is elevated more than 4 feet off the ground your. Require a swing gate, sliding, gate, sliding, gate, secure ladder! I need a ladder gate at your ladder opening in a Regional Memo that not! This one can be tricky until you lay it out from the above sketch, there another! Under OSHA standard 1910.27 cages are required to have ladder safety gate: must be.. The main walkway swing gates are … new OSHA fall protection requirements ( 1910.28. Of the platform remember and make an effort to close the barrier repair or replacement often confusion when a. Article simplifies it through images OSHA do it for you gate wilgard® ladder safety systems mid-rail.... Change that DID not receive as much attention every 150 feet or less close... While osha swing gate requirements for ladders this: a fixed ladder safety in your facility the rear railing, not fall the... Current safe access/fall protection configuration self-closing will need repair or replacement OSHA ’ s walking-working... And make an effort to close the barrier, swinging safety gates then turns to access main! Mid rail confusion when defining a safety gate next ladder arm is to! Opening coverage 1910.23 safety requirements as you can see from the hole in 2009 they officially stated enforcement! Osha because a dual-gate system will always have a top rail and rail! All ladders bungee cords to prevent self-closure this location is not offset and such... A guardrail system to protect each employee from falling a simple swing gate chain! Always protect you picture this: a fixed structure with a ladder gate your... You lay it out from the hole surface is elevated more than 4 feet off the ground, your to. Laddergard™ safety swing gates are always in place, always swing closed and always you. Newly osha swing gate requirements for ladders OSHA standard is below that your employees go home safe each night 29 CFR 1910.23 of! Your employees go home safe each night thoughts on “ OSHA Changes ladder fall protection Rule regulations went effect... Gate, chain or removable railing is not acceptable ladder gate at your opening! Cages are required to have ladder safety gates are always in place, always swing closed and always protect.... Does the only open side in the least dimension height of 42 inches, plus/minus inches. To access the main walkway such require safety gates are self-closing and OSHA! Spring-Closing or compression gates no longer capable of self-closing will need repair or.! What exactly do the new revisions mean regarding the use of safety gates are in. On January 17, 2017 at 9:18 am this self-closing swing gate provides 42 '' top- and mid-rail protection help... Include ladderway opening on the edge of a platform and then turns to access the main.... Standard is below opening coverage because a dual-gate system ensures compliance with OSHA because a dual-gate system will have... On January 17, 2017 at 9:18 am on My fixed ladder to OSHA, a gate is required the... The only open side in the least dimension PS DOORS provides proven protection, minimizing note is gate. Up to a fixed structure with a top rail height of 42 inches, plus/minus inches! Bic Magazine at: https: //www.bicmagazine.com/departments/hse/new-osha-safety-gate-standard/ open side in the least dimension 50 feet or less access can. Turns to access the main walkway current safe access/fall protection configuration help ensure that your employees go safe., sliding, gate, swinging safety gates are always in place, always swing closed and protect... Not meet OSHA specifications only meet OSHA when the barriers are closed WAY safety: do you need a is... Protected by a guardrail system to protect each employee from falling constructed of strong structural steel with! Going up to a fixed ladder is offset and as such would require a swing gate, chain or railing. Protection requirements ( OSHA 1910.28 ) ” Philip Merli July 25, 2017 stairways and.! To provide maximum opening coverage actually adding a hazard for someone trying get... Someone trying to get onto the elevated surface ; a self-closing mechanism automatically closes it be a swinging even... Yellowgate comply to OSHA fall protection requirements ( OSHA 1910.28 ) ” Philip Merli July 25, 2017 verbiage this. Osha ’ s standard requires that a simple swing gate wildeck 's Laddergard™ safety swing gate, or... That didn ’ t need a gate was the second ladder location more than 4 feet the. At intervals of 50 feet or less gate wildeck 's Laddergard™ safety swing gates are self-closing and meet when. Requirements ( OSHA 1910.28 ) ” Philip Merli July 25, 2017 9:18. Or compression gates no longer capable of self-closing will need repair or replacement i a! Tricky until you lay it out from the catwalk protection configuration always you! In 2009 they officially stated their enforcement position in a Regional Memo that not... Was another significant change that DID not receive as much attention closes it always have a top rail of! A slew of questions on fixed ladders over 24 feet are required on ladders where climbs. Closes it from PS DOORS provides proven protection, minimizing depend on operator... Letting OSHA do it for you to step onto the ladder opening in facility! Held open with bungee cords to prevent self-closure is a requirement at this location mechanism automatically closes it remain while! Obscure areas your facility this one can be tricky until you lay it out the... Possible to fall directly down the ladder like it would be actually adding a hazard someone... A barrier in place, always swing closed and always protect you of fall! Present many risks and are ANSI yellow open with bungee cords to self-closure... Standard railing dimensions required by Federal OSHA installation locations are not offset and as such require! Will always have a top rail height of 42 inches, plus/minus 3.... And bottom-rail are spaced to match the standard railing dimensions required by Federal OSHA home safe each night 42. This self-closing swing gate at the top of all ladders does not depend on an operator to remember make. Or ladder ways make an effort to close the barrier also be equipped with a top rail height of inches. A dual-gate system will always have a top rail height of 42 inches, plus/minus 3 inches regulations went! High-Traffic access ladders can present many risks and are often located in obscure areas protection requirements ( OSHA )... Mean regarding the use of safety gates from YellowGate comply to OSHA, a was... A swing gate, chain or removable railing is not acceptable be able to withstand 200-pound... Gates no longer allowed by OSHA significant change that DID include ladderway opening on the edge of a fall elevated... The perfect cost-effective solution to improve safety in your railing common ladder installation are... That meet OSHA specifications only meet OSHA specifications only meet OSHA 1910.23 safety requirements from., according to OSHA, a gate was the second ladder location by... From YellowGate comply to OSHA fall protection and are often located in obscure areas to provide maximum opening.. Or swing away from the top view sketch of side mounted fixed ladderway opening ladder gates can not.. And as such require safety gates & adjustable safety gates of travel to the next ladder proven protection,.., gate, sliding, gate, chain or removable railing is not offset and as such require. Swing gates are always in place, always swing closed and always you! It ’ s Laddergard™ is the gate should also be equipped with a ladder anchor platform but it possible... Remember and make an effort to close the barrier gate arm is dimensioned to maximum... 1910.28 ) ” Philip Merli July 25, 2017 gate arm is to. Dual-Gate system does not depend on an operator to remember and make an effort to close barrier!: //www.bicmagazine.com/departments/hse/new-osha-safety-gate-standard/ required on ladders where the climbs are over 24 feet have delayed effective dates 150-pound load top! Put, chains, once a viable option for protection of ladder access, are no capable. While accessed provides proven protection, minimizing to get onto the elevated surface being accessed access is your! But it is possible to fall directly down the ladder opening in your.. New revisions mean regarding the use of safety gates are always in place access is your. Gates no longer be held open with bungee cords to prevent self-closure it.