Mich. Admin. Code R. 408.41113 - General requirements

Rule 1113.

(1) A ladder shall be provided at all personnel points of access if there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more and if a ramp, runway, sloped embankment, stairway, or personnel hoist is not provided.

(2) When a building or structure has only 1 point of access between levels, that point of access shall be kept clear to permit the free passage of employees. When work must be performed or equipment must be used, that restricts the free passage of employees at the point of access, an employer shall provide a second point of access and the access must be used.

(3) When a building or structure has 2 or more points of access between levels, the employer shall ensure at least 1 point of access is kept clear to permit the free passage of employees.

(4) Employers shall provide and install all ladder fall protection systems that are required by this part and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this part before employees begin the work that necessitates the installation and use of ladders and their respective fall protection systems.

(5) Ladder rungs, cleats, and steps shall be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when a ladder is in position for use.

(6) Rungs, cleats, and steps of portable ladders, except as provided in subrules (7) and (8) of this rule, and fixed ladders shall be spaced not less than 10 inches (25 cm) apart and not more than 14 inches (36 cm) apart, as measured between the center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps .

(7) Rungs, cleats, and steps of step stools shall be not less than 8 inches (20 cm) apart and not more than 12 inches (31 cm) apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps.

(8) Rungs, cleats, and steps of the base section of extension trestle ladders shall be not less than 8 inches (20 cm), nor more than 18 inches (46 cm), apart, as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps. The rung spacing on the extension section of the extension trestle ladder shall be not less than 6 inches (15 cm), nor more than 12 inches (31 cm), as measured between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps.

(9) The minimum clear distance between the sides of individual rung-type stepladders and the minimum clear distance between the side rails of other fixed ladders shall be 16 inches (41 cm).

(10) The minimum clear distance between side rails for all portable ladders shall be 11 1/2 inches (29 cm).

(11) The rungs of individual rung-type stepladders shall be shaped so that an employee's feet cannot slide off the end of the rungs. See figure 1.

FIGURE 1

SUGGESTED DESIGN FOR RUNGS ON INDIVIDUAL RUNG LADDERS

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(12) The rungs and steps of fixed metal ladders that are manufactured after January 14, 1991, shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping.

(13) The rungs of steps of portable metal ladders shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping.

(14) Except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders, such as ladders on utility towers, billboards, and other structures where the bottom of the fixed ladder is elevated to limit access, when 2 or more separate ladders are used to reach an elevated work area, the ladder shall be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders.

(15) Ladder components shall be surfaced in a manner that prevents employee injury due to punctures or lacerations and prevents the snagging of clothing.

Notes

Mich. Admin. Code R. 408.41113

1993 AACS; 2014 AACS