b'Safety CommitteeFIXED LADDER STANDARD CHANGES- By Gary Auman and Kristi GotwaldP rotection from falls is very importantchoose, but rather must install personal fall arrest systems for the safety of any business.or ladder safety systems.Further, if a portion of a fixed According to OSHA, Falls fromladder must be replaced, or has been replaced since ladders account for 20 percent ofNovember 2018 the new portion may not depend on a all fatal and lost work-day injuries incage or well to satisfy fall protection.Rather, any new general industry.(https://www.osha. portions that are installed, whether as a replacement or gov/Publications/OSHA3903.pdf.)It isan addition, must have a personal fall arrest or a ladder with this in mind that OSHA publishedsafety system.The final stage for implementation of the new rules in November 2016 regarding fall protectionnew standard for fixed ladders wont become effective in general industry.The rules involve several aspects offor some time. In November 2036 all fixed ladders, no fall protection with varying timeframes for compliance.matter when they were installed or whether they have The first set of rules went into effect in November 2017cages or not, must be equipped with a ladder safety or regarding training employees, providing equipment, andpersonal fall arrest system if the fixed ladder is over 24 certifying permanent anchorage points.However, thefeet.If any cages or wells remain on fixed ladders, they second set of rules, which involve ladder safety, wentmay remain, but they must not interfere with ladder safety into effect just a few months ago in November 2018.or personal fall arrest systems.OSHA is letting industry Specifically, the changes affect fixed ladders, notknow that cages and wells are no longer considered portable ones.Fixed ladders are defined by OSHA as aadequate to protect workers in the event of a fall.ladder with rails or individual rungs that is permanentlyWhat qualifies as a ladder safety system?According to attached to a structure, building, or equipment. (29an OSHA publication a ladder safety system is a system CFR1910.21(b).)Many businesses incorporate theattached to a fixed ladder designed to eliminate or use of fixed ladders in their work.Employers will wantreduce the possibility of a worker falling off the ladder. to be sure all fixed ladders are made compliant to theA ladder safety system usually consists of a carrier, safety new rules or risk OSHA citations, as well as the safety ofsleeve, lanyard, connectors, and body harness.Cages your employees. and wells are not considered ladder safety systems. There are really three stages for fixed ladders provided in(https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3903.pdf.)the changes.If a business currently has a fixed ladderSafety needs to be every employers top priority. that is over 24 feet, they must now be equipped with aThe changes to these rules are intended to reduce cage, well, personal fall arrest system or ladder safetyfatalities and injuries due to falls when employees use fixed system.This gives employers options for fall protectionladders, and were made with advances in technology on existing fixed ladders.However, if a new fixed ladderand national consensus standards in mind.Do not forget over 24 feet has been installed since November 2018that you still have an obligation to inspect any fixed ladder or will be installed in the future, it must have a personalbefore it is used to ensure that it is in good condition and fall arrest or ladder safety system installed in additionhas no defects such as rust or other damage. Remember to a cage or well.The option on how to provide fallthe OSHA standards change frequently and all employers protection to employees is being taken away over timemust be aware how they affect their businesses and the by the new standard.Employers will no longer get tosafety of their employees. 32 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'