Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Ladders, Portable and Fixed Chapter 296-876, WAC

Effective Date: 12/01/06

WAC 296-876-300 Ladder care

For printing

Your Responsibility

To make sure portable ladders are inspected, maintained, stored and transported properly

Condition and inspection	WAC 296-876-30005
Repair	WAC 296-876-30010
Storage	WAC 296-876-30015
Transport	WAC 296-876-30020

WAC 296-876-30005

Condition and inspection 

You must

• Keep portable ladders in good, usable condition. Good, usable condition includes, but isn't limited to:
  • - Joints between the steps or rungs and the side rails are tight.
  • - Rungs, cleats, or steps aren't bent, broken, or missing.
  • - Side rails aren't bent, broken, or split.
  • - All bolts and rivets are in place and secure.
  • - Hardware, fittings and accessories are securely attached and working properly.
  • - Ropes aren't frayed or badly worn.
  • - Moveable parts operate freely without binding or excessive play.
  • - Safety feet and other auxiliary equipment are not excessively worn.
  • - Metal components aren't corroded.
  • - Ther are no other faulty or defective components.
• Make sure wood ladders aren't coated with an opaque covering except for the minimum amount necessary for identification and warning information which may be placed on one face only of a side rail.
• Have a competent person inspect a ladder:
  • - When required by Table 1, Ladder Inspection Criteria;
    and
  • - After any other occurrence that could affect safe use.
• Make sure any ladder with structural damage or other hazardous defect is:
  • - Marked to identify it as defective or tagged with "don't use" or similar language
    and
  • - Removed from service.

Note: Ladders subjected to certain acids or alkali materials may experience chemical corrosion and a reduction in strength. Consult the manufacturer or a qualified person prior to use.

Table 1 Ladder Inspection Criteria
When the ladder is	Do the following
First placed into service periodically while in service	Inspect the ladder for visible defects, including, but not limited to: - Working parts and - Rung or step connections to the side rails.
Damaged by impact or tips over	Visually inspect the ladder for dents, bends, cracks, or splits Check: - Rung or step connection to the side rails. - Hardware connections. - Rivets for shear damage. - All other components.
Exposed to excessive heat such as fire	Visually inspect the ladder for damage. Test for deflection and strength characteristics using the "in-service use tests" contained in the appropriate ANSI. Exemption: Job-made wooden ladders aren't to be subjected to load or impact tests. Those tests may weaken lumber components or fasteners, causing hidden damage that could result in sudden failure during use.

WAC 296-876-30010

Repair 

You must

• Make sure repairs restore the ladder to a condition meeting its original design criteria.
• Prohibit repairs to a defective side rail.

Note: A commercially manufactured ladder with a defective side rail cannot be repaired by the user. Side rail repair can only be done by the manufacturer.

WAC 296-876-30015

Storage 

You must

• Make sure material isn't put on ladders in storage.

Note: Store portable ladders on racks designed to protect them when not in use. The racks should have enough supporting points to prevent the ladder from sagging. Don't store wood ladders near sources of heat, moisture, or dampness.

WAC 296-876-30020   

Transport 

You must

• Properly support ladders while transporting them on vehicles.
• Make sure ladders transported in a truck rack are positively secured in a fixed position that prevents chafing or abrasion.

Note: Securing the ladder to each support point will greatly reduce damage due to road shock.