SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION

Stair Rails The following general requirements apply to all stair rails: _ Stairways with four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height— whichever is less—must be installed along each unprotected side or edge. When the top edge of a stair rail system also serves as a handrail, the height of the top edge must be no more than 37 inches (94 cm) nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail to the surface of the tread. _ Stair rails installed after March 15,1991, must be not less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) in height. _ Top edges of stair rail systems used as handrails must not be more than 37 inches (94 cm) high nor less than 36 inches (91.5 cm) from the upper surface of the stair rail system to the surface of the tread. (If installed before March 15, 1991, not less than 30 inches [76 cm]). _ Stair rail systems and handrails must be surfaced to prevent injuries such as punctures or lacerations and to keep clothing from snagging. _ Ends of stair rail systems and handrails must be built to prevent dangerous projections, such as rails protruding beyond the end posts of the system. In addition, _ Unprotected sides and edges of stairway landings must have standard 42-inch (1.1 m) guardrail systems. _ Intermediate vertical members, such as balusters used as guardrails, must not be more than 19 inches (48 cm) apart. _ Other intermediate structural members, when used, must be installed so that no openings are more than 19 inches (48 cm) wide. _ Screens or mesh, when used, must extend from the top rail to the stairway step and along the opening between top rail supports.

HandrailsRequirements for handrails are as follows: _ Handrails and top rails of the stair rail systems must be able to withstand, without failure, at least 200 pounds (890 n) of weight applied within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge in any downward or outward direction, at any point along the top edge. _ Handrails must not be more than 37 inches (94 cm) high nor less than 30 inches (76 cm) from the upper surface of the handrail to the surface of the tread. _ Handrails must provide an adequate handhold for employees to grasp to prevent falls. _ Temporary handrails must have a minimum clearance of 3 inches (8 cm) between the handrail and walls, stair rail systems and other objects. _ Stairways with four or more risers, or that rise more than 30 inches (76 cm) in height— whichever is less—must have at least one handrail. _ Winding or spiral stairways must have a handrail to prevent use of areas where the tread width is less than 6 inches (15 cm). MidrailsMidrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members or equivalent intermediate structural members must be provided between the top rail and stairway steps to the stair rail system. When midrails are used, they must be located midway between the top of the stair rail system and the stairway steps.

Fixed LaddersIf the total length of the climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet (7.3 m), the ladder must be equipped with ladder safety devices; or self-retracting lifelines and rest platforms at intervals not to exceed 150 feet (45.7 m); or a cage or well and multiple ladder sections with each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet (15.2 m) in length. These ladder sections must be offset from adjacent sections and landing platforms must be provided at maximum intervals of 50 feet (15.2 m). In addition, fixed ladders must meet the following requirements: _ Fixed ladders must be able to support at least two loads of 250 pounds (114 kg) each, concentrated between any two consecutive support added anticipated loads caused by ice buildup, _ Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering except for identification or warning labels, which may be placed only on one face of a side rail.Note: A competent person must inspect ladders for visible defects periodically and after any incident that could affect their safe use. edge of a landing area must be no less than 7 inches (18 cm) and no more than 12 inches (30 cm). A landing platform must be provided if the step-across distance exceeds 12 inches (30 cm). _ Fixed ladders without cages or wells must have at least a 15-inch (38 cm) clearance width to the nearest permanent object on each side of the centerline of the ladder. _ Fixed ladders must be provided with cages, wells, ladder safety devices or self-retracting lifelines where the length of climb is less than 24 feet (7.3 m) but the top of the ladder is at a distance greater than 24 feet (7.3 m) above lower levels. _ Side rails of through or side-step fixed ladders must extend 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top level or landing platform served by the ladder. Parapet ladders must have an access level at the roof if the parapet is cut to permit passage through it. If the parapet is continuous, the access level is the top of the parapet. _ Steps or rungs for through-fixed-ladder extensions must be omitted from the extension; and the extension of side rails must be flared to provide between 24 inches (61 cm) and 30 inches (76 cm) clearance between side rails. _ When safety devices are provided, the maximum clearance distance between side rail extensions must not exceed 36 inches (91 cm). _ Fixed ladders must be used at a pitch no greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal, measured from the back side of the ladder. Cages for Fixed LaddersThe requirements for cages for fixed ladders are as follows: _ Horizontal bands must be fastened to the side rails of rail ladders or directly to the structure, building or equipment for individual-rung ladders. winds, rigging and impact loads resulting from using ladder safety devices. _ Individual rung/step ladders must extend at least 42 inches (1.1 m) above an access level or landing platform either by the continuation of the rung spacings as horizontal grab bars or by providing vertical grab bars that must have the same lateral spacing as the vertical legs of the ladder rails. _ Each step or rung of a fixed ladder must be able to support a load of at least 250 pounds (114 kg) applied in the middle of the step or rung. _ Minimum clear distance between the sides of individual rung/step ladders and between the side rails of other fixed ladders must be 16 inches (41 cm). _ Rungs of individual rung/step ladders must be shaped to prevent slipping off the end of the rungs. _ Rungs and steps of fixed metal ladders manufactured after March 15, 1991, must be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material or treated to minimize slipping. _ Minimum perpendicular clearance between fixed ladder rungs, cleats, and steps and any obstruction behind the ladder must be 7 inches (18 cm), except that the clearance for an elevator pit ladder must be 4.5 inches (11cm). _ Minimum perpendicular clearance between the centerline of fixed ladder rungs, cleats and steps, and any obstruction on the climbing side of the ladder must be 30 inches (76 cm). If obstructions are unavoidable, clearance may be reduced to 24 inches (61 cm), provided a deflection device is installed to guide workers around the obstruction. _ Step-across distance between the center of the steps or rungs of fixed ladders and the nearest Ladder Safety Devices and Related Support Systems for Fixed LaddersThe connection between the carrier or lifeline and the point of attachment to the body belt or harness must not exceed 9 inches (23 cm) in length. In addition, ladder safety devices and related support systems on fixed ladders must conform to the following: _ All safety devices must be able to withstand, without failure, a drop test consisting of a 500-pound weight (226 kg) dropping 18 inches (41 cm). _ All safety devices must permit the worker to ascend or descend without continually having to hold, push or pull any part of the device, leaving both hands free for climbing. _ All safety devices must be activated within 2 feet (.61 m) after a fall occurs and limit the descending velocity of an employee to 7 feet/second (2.1 m/sec) or less. Requirements for Mounting Ladder Safety Devices for Fixed LaddersThe requirements for mounting ladder safety devices for fixed ladders are as follows: _ Mountings for rigid carriers must be attached at each end of the carrier, with intermediate mountings spaced along the entire length of the carrier, to provide the necessary strength to stop workers’ falls. _ Mountings for flexible carriers must be attached at each end of the carrier. Cable guides for flexible carriers must be installed with a spacing between 25 feet (7.6 m) and 40 feet (12.2 m) along the entire length of the carrier, to prevent wind damage to the system. _ Design and installation of mountings and cable guides must not reduce the strength of the ladder. _ Side rails and steps or rungs for side-step fixed ladders must be continuous in extension. _ Vertical bars must be on the inside of the horizontal bands and must be fastened to them. _ Cages must not extend less than 27 inches (68 cm), or more than 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung and must not be less than 27 inches (68 cm) wide. _ Insides of cages must be clear of projections. _ Horizontal bands must be spaced at intervals not more than 4 feet (1.2 m) apart measured from centerline to centerline. _ Vertical bars must be spaced at intervals not more than 9.5 inches (24 cm), measured centerline to centerline. _ Bottoms of cages must be between 7 feet (2.1 m) and 8 feet (2.4 m) above the point of access to the bottom of the ladder. The bottom of the cage must be flared not less than 4 inches (10 cm) between the bottom horizontal band and the next higher band. Tops of cages must be a minimum of 42 inches (1.1 m) above the top of the platform or the point of access at the top of the ladder. There must be a way to access the platform or other point of access. Wells for Fixed LaddersThe requirements for wells for fixed ladders are as follows: _ Wells must completely encircle the ladder. _ Wells must be free of projections. _ Inside faces of wells on the climbing side of the ladder must extend between 27 inches (68 cm) and 30 inches (76 cm) from the centerline of the step or rung. _ Inside widths of wells must be at least 30 inches (76 cm). _ Bottoms of wells above the point of access to the bottom of the ladder must be between 7 feet (2.1 m) and 8 feet (2.4 m). Portable LaddersThe minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders must be 11.5 inches (29 cm).