Ladders and stairs

• Pages: 56-62

4. Ladders and stairs

4.1. General provisions

Construction

4.1.1. No wooden ladder having any rung which depends

for its support solely on nails, spikes, screws or other similar

fixing should be used.

4.1.2. Wooden ladders should be constructed with:

uprights of adequate strength made of wood free from visible

defects and having the grain of the wood running lengthwise;

and

rungs made of wood free from visible defects and mortised

or rabbeted into the uprights.

4.1.3. Uprights and rungs of metal ladders should have a

cross-section adequate to prevent dangerous deflection.

4.1.4. The intervals between rungs should be:

equal; and

not be less than 25 cm (10 in) or more than 35 cm (14 in).

4.1.5. Rungs of metal ladders should be corrugated or treated

to prevent slipping.

4.1.6. Rungs of metal ladders should be kept clean so as to

prevent them from becoming slippery.

4.1.7. If necessary to prevent danger, ladders should be

provided with non-slip shoes, spikes or other devices to prevent

slipping.

4.1.8. Wooden ladders should be provided with a sufficient

number of steel cross-ties to ensure rigidity.

4.1.9. Portable ladders should not exceed 9 m (30 ft) in. length.

4.1.10. Every ladder or run of ladders rising to a height

exceeding 9 m (30 ft) should be provided with an intermediate

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