Stairways and Ladders For Residential Construction

Stairways and Ladders For Residential Construction Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Disclaimer/Usage Notes • Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable OSHA requirements. • It is not the intent of the content developers to provide compliance-based training in this presentation, the intent is more to address hazard awareness in the residential construction industry, and to recognize the overlapping hazards present in many construction workplaces. • It should NOT be assumed that the suggestions, comments, or recommendations contained herein constitute a thorough review of the applicable standards, nor should discussion of “issues” or “concerns” be construed as a prioritization of hazards or possible controls. Where opinions (“best practices”) have been expressed, it is important to remember that safety issues in general and construction jobsites specifically will require a great deal of site- or hazard-specificity – a “one size fits all” approach is not recommended, nor will it likely be very effective. Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Disclaimer/Usage Notes • No representation is made as to the thoroughness of the presentation, nor to the exact methods of remediation to be taken. It is understood that site conditions vary constantly, and that the developers of this content cannot be held responsible for safety problems they did not address or could not anticipate, nor those which have been discussed herein or during physical presentation. It is the responsibility of the employer, its subcontractors, and its employees to comply with all pertinent rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work. Copies of all OSHA regulations are available from your local OSHA office, and many pertinent regulations and supporting documents have been provided with this presentation in electronic or printed format. This presentation is intended to discuss Federal Regulations only - your individual State requirements may be more stringent. • It is assumed that individuals using this presentation or content to augment their training programs will be “qualified” to do so, and that said presenters will be otherwise prepared to answer questions, solve problems, and discuss issues with their audiences. Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Disclaimer/Usage Notes • Areas of particular concern (or especially suited to discussion) have additionally been marked with a ? symbol throughout the program…as a presenter, you should be prepared to discuss all of the potential issues/concerns, or problems inherent in those photos particularly. Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Stairways & Ladders Injuries & Fatalities: • 24,882 injuries, nearly half (11,570) are lost workday injuries • 77 fatalities Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

General Requirements • A stair or ladder must be provided at a break in elevation of 19” or more • Access points kept clear for free passage Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Stairways • Uniform riser height and tread depth • Variations not over 1/4 inch for any stairway Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Stairway Protection • Stairs must have railings; • with 4 or more treads, • or more than 30 inches high Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Stairway - Handrails & Guardrails • Stair rails at least 36” from tread to top of rail • Midrails, screens, mesh, etc provided between top rail and the stairway steps • If screens/mesh is used, it must enclose entire opening Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Extension ladders used at an angle so that the horizontal distance is 1/4the working ladder length Wood job-made ladders with spliced side rails used at an angle such that the horizontal distance is 1/8the working ladder height. Ladders Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Too Flat Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Use of all Ladders • Use only on stable level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement • The area around top and bottom of all ladders shall be kept clear of tripping hazards • Ladders never moved, shifted or extended while occupied Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Job-Made Ladders ANSI 14.4 – 1992 Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Side Rails • Stress Grade Lumber • #2 Southern Pine • #2 Douglas Fir • FJL (Finger-joint Lumber) is acceptable Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Rungs • 1 x 4 Nominal Dimension minimum • Knots < ¾ ” Diameter • No more than 2 per cleat span • No closer than 6” center to center • No closer than 1” from top or bottom edge OR • Use 2 x 4 material Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Cleats • Material tight from rung to rung • Can be similar material (1 x 2 or 2 x 2) • Flat straps can be used • # 9 wire can be stapled Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Fasteners • Nail Types • Plain shank • Ring shank Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Attachments • Rungs & Cleats • 1 x 4 • Three, 3” long, 10d Common nails • 2 x 4 • Three, 3 ½” long, 12d Common nails • Spacing of nails • Stagger ¼” or more • At least 1” from edges Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Length • Maximum length 24’ • Ladders that extend to landing must have walk-through top section Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Width • Minimum of 16” between side rails • Maximum of 20” between side rails • Double ladders can be double widthplus the width of the rails Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Rung Spacing • Minimum 8” • Maximum 12” • Variation + 1/4” Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Use of all Ladders • Never use metal ladders near exposed energized electrical equipment Developed under an OSHA Susan B. Harwood Grant, #46F4-HT01, by the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Texas Chapter

Stairways and Ladders For Residential Construction