Climbing up to access tall structures on your roof can be problematic. No worries! You can always choose to install a good quality aluminum exterior crossover ladder when the height is modest i.e. well under 20 feet. It is not unusual to come across such permanent cross-over ladders installed besides vats, tanks, and water tanks. The oil & gas industry frequently uses such ladders to access the top of refineries as well.
It is important to learn about the concerned
ladders before investing in the product. It suffices to know that apart from
providing roof access from the exterior side, the crossover portion or platform
provides a safe path to reach the other section over high-traffic points or
areas containing cables and/or industrial structures. The best crossover ladder
includes serrated steps that improve firm footing and prevent slips &
falls. Deadly accidents are often thwarted courtesy such ladders.
You may select the ladder for your residence
or workplace. It is important to remember that the said ladder would have to
comply with the “Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)”
standards to ensure complete safety for the end-user. Yes! You may be able to
obtain similar ladders at a lesser rate. Unfortunately, violating OSHA norms
can only jeopardize workplace safety adversely.
Another thing to keep in mind is the
necessities that OSHA recommends. You would have to inquire about the following
when trying to determine the quality of a product:-
·
1917.118(d)(4)- Check the rung size
and opt for a ladder that leaves at least 4 inches of space between the nearest
structure and the central line of the rung.
·
1917.118(d)(5)- The right ladder must
have a wider gap when it needs to go through walls or pits at a facility. You
may request customization to widen the gap or request deflectors to ensure
safety
·
1917.118(d)(6) and
(7)- The
ladder should be secured with a rail on both sides. Be sure to check for the
overhead extension of the rail near the landing. It will act as a grab rail
thus preventing you or the worker from slipping on the surface. A horizontal
incline of 90 degrees is a strict no-no for exterior ladders. You may want to customize the specifications
based on the areas in which the ladder would be used.
·
1917.118(e)(2)- It would be foolhardy
to use a cage ladder that exceeds 30 feet. The OSHA-compliant ladder needs to
be limited to 30 feet and/or offset horizontally.
·
1917.118(e)(4)- Ask about the
manufacturer’s rating and install the ladder according to the specifications
that are compliant with OSHA standards.
Ensure that the concerned ladder is capable
of the following:-
·
Providing
safe access to the roof structures
·
Simple
to configure
·
Available
in all standard sizes
·
The
attachments require no welding of the parts before usage
·
Conforms
to the safety standards
·
Slip-resistant
·
Durable
·
Suitable
for all types of roof
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