Design and Construction

Portable ladders are constructed with a variety of materials. They can be self supporting or not self supporting, and can
be of different sizes. All portable ladders have duty ratings based on the work load the ladders can handle. These
variations provide users a wide selection of choices for portable ladders to meet different needs.
The design and construction of ladders are also done in numerous ways in order to help users accomplish the task on
hand in a safe manner. The requirements on the design and construction of both portable ladders are given in T8
CCR 3276. These requirements insure the safety of portable ladders under normal conditions of usage. 

Material of Construction
Ladders can be made of metal, wood, reinforced plastic or fiberglass. The most common material is aluminum. Metal
ladders should never be used for work on or around exposed electrical elements; a wood or fiberglass ladder is
necessary. However, refer to warning labels on the ladder or the manufacturer’s directions because some nonmetal
ladders are reinforced with steel or other conductive materials.
Portable ladders shall meet the design and construction requirements for the material of construction as follows:

In
Service
In Service On or
After Before
Portable January 7, January
Ladder Material 2011 7, 2011 Exception

Wood ANSI A14.1- ANSI Portable job-made cleat ladders that are designed and constructed
2007, A14.1 in accordance with the requirements of Section 1676 of the
American standard Construction Safety Orders
National in effect
Standard for at the
Ladders - time
Wood Safety such
Requirements ladders
were
placed in
service

Metal ANSI A14.2- Either

2007, the ANSI
American A14.2
National standard
Standard for or the
Ladders - ANSI
Portable A14.10
Metal - Safety standard,
Requirements America
n
National
Standard
for
Ladders
-
Portable
Special
 Duty
Ladders,
in effect
at the
time
such
ladders
were
placed in
service

Reinforced ANSI A14.5- Either

Plastic 2007, the ANSI
American A14.5
National standard
Standard for or the
Ladders - ANSI
Portable A14.10
Reinforced standard
Plastic - in effect
Safety at the
Requirements time
such
ladders
were
placed in
service

Self Supported/Not Self Supported Ladders

There are two basic types of portable ladders in terms of how the ladder is
supported:
1. Self supporting – Stepladders
2. Not self supporting – Single and Extension Ladders
Step Ladder
A step ladder is a self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, having flat steps and a hinged back. Its size
is designated by the overall length of the ladder measured along the front edge of the side rails.

Extension Ladder
An extension ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder adjustable in length. It consists of two or more sections
traveling in guides or brackets so arranged as to permit length adjustment. Its size is designated by the sum of the
lengths of the sections measured along the side rails.

Single Ladder
A single ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of but one section. Its size
is designated by the overall length of the side rail.

Size of Portable Ladder

Users should not use portable ladders that are longer than the maximum length allowed under any circumstances. The
maximum length allowed for each type of ladder is provided below:

Ladder Type Maximum Length (Feet)

Step ladder 20

Two-section extension ladder (wood) 60

Two-section extension ladder (metal) 48

Three-section extension ladder (metal) 60

 Two-section extension ladder (reinforced 72
plastic)

Trestle ladder 20

Extension trestle ladder base section 20

Extension trestle ladder extension section 20

Painter's step ladder 12

Mason's ladder 40

Cleat ladder 30

Trolley ladder or side-rolling ladder 20

Single ladder 30

When using a two section extension ladder, remember that the overlap between the sections can't be less than the
following minimum overlap length:

Ladder Size (Feet) Minimum Overlap (inches)

Up to and including 32 36

Over 32, up to and including 46

36

Over 36, up to and including 58

48

Over 48, up to and including 70

 60

Duty Rating
Using ladder of proper duty rating is an extremely important safety consideration. Follow the duty classifications given
in the table below while selecting/using the ladder for your job:

Ladder
Duty Rating Type Working Load (pounds)

Special Duty IAA 375

Extra Heavy-Duty IA 300

Heavy-Duty I 250

Medium-Duty II 225

Light-Duty III 200

Other Design and Construction Considerations

 Other portable special purpose ladders that are not covered above shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with sound engineering principles.
 Remember that the ladder type step stools (32” or less in length) shall be designed and constructed such that
the rungs, cleats, and steps are not less than 8 inches apart, or more than 12 inches apart, as measured
between center lines of the rungs, cleats, and steps.
Mobile Ladder Stand & Platforms
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A Mobile Ladder Stand (Fig. 1) is a movable, fixed height, self-supporting ladder consisting of wide flat treads in the form
assembly may include handrails and is intended for use by one person. See Fig. 3 for additional examples of Mobile Ladd

A Mobile Ladder Stand Platform (Fig. 2) is a movable, fixed height, self-supporting unit having one or more standing leve
egress to the platform or platforms. The assembly may include handrails and/or guardrails, and may be designed to accom
additional examples of Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms.
Requirements for all Mobile Ladder Stands and Platforms
The structural Safety Factor for this class of products is 4. In other words, the units must be capable of supporting 4 times
All threaded fasteners used in the construction of Mobile Ladder Stands and Platforms must be of a self-locking type.
All exposed surfaces must be free of sharp edges and burrs.
Design Features - Mobile Ladder Stands
The Rated Load for a Mobile Ladder Stand must be at least 300 pounds. This rating is based upon the combined weight of
The Steps must be at least 16-inches wide and be provided with a durable slip-resistant surface. The slip-resistant feature m
provided by dimpling, knurling, shot blasting, coating, metal spraying, or slip-resistant tapes.
Steps must be uniformly spaced and arranged with a rise (vertical spacing) of not more than 10 inches, and a depth of not
stringer to which the steps are attached is limited to not more than 60-degrees from the horizontal.
Handrails, when used, must have a vertical height in the range of 29 1/2 to 37-inches, measured vertically (90 degrees) fro
All of the standing areas of the Mobile Ladder Stand must be located within the perimeter of the base frame to reduce the
Ladder Stands with a Top Step height of 4 feet to 10 feet must be provided with handrails. The use of movable gates or no
for Special Use applications.
Ladder Stands with a Top Step over 10 feet high must have the Top Step protected on three sides by a handrail with a vert
are 20 inches or more, from front to back, must be provided with a midrail and toeboard. On Special Use applications, the
such as chains, is permitted.
On Mobile Ladder Stands provided with wheels or casters, the wheels or casters supporting the unit are required to suppor
unit’s rated load plus their proportional share of the unit’s weight. In addition, the size, number and type of casters must p
The wheel/caster system must also be equipped with a system that impedes horizontal movement of the unit.
Design Features - Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms
The rated load for a Mobile Ladder Stand Platform must be at least "x” times 300 pounds based upon the anticipated num
weight, including materials and equipment of 300 pounds.
The Steps must be at least 16-inches wide and the Platform at least 18-inches wide. The Steps, standing levels and/or Platf
resistant surface. The slip-resistant feature may be an integral part of the surface, or may be provided by dimpling, knurlin
resistant tapes.
Steps must be uniformly spaced and arranged with a rise (vertical spacing) of not more than 10 inches, and a depth of not
of the step stringer to which the steps are attached is limited to not more than 60-degrees from the horizontal. In the event
degrees) or a vertical rung ladder(s) may be used. In this case, stability of the unit against overturning when the user acces
Handrails, when used, must have a vertical height in the range of 29 1/2 to 37-inches, measured vertically (90 degrees) fro
All of the standing areas of the Mobile Ladder Stand must be located within the perimeter of the base frame to reduce the
Ladder Stand Platforms with a Top Step height of 4 feet to 10-feet must be provided with handrails. The use of movable g
permitted for Special Use applications. Handrails in the Platform area above the flat surface must have a height of at least
Ladder Stand Platforms with a Platform over 10-feet high must have Guardrails and Toeboards on the exposed sides and e
height of 42-inches 3 inches including a Midrail approximately midway between the top rail and the working surface. On
gates or non-rigid members, such as chains, is permitted.
The wheels and casters supporting a Mobile Ladder Stand are required to support four times their proportional share of the
of the unit’s weight. In addition, the size, number and type of casters must provide maneuverability of the unoccupied uni
equipped with a system that impedes horizontal movement of the unit.
Product Performance
Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms which comply with the governing safety standard, ANSI-ASC
and load tests. In addition, the on-product labels must pass a variety of durability tests with regard to humidity, adhesive s
Only when the manufacturer’s design has complied with these design verification tests is it permissible to display a compl
manual that compliance has been achieved.
Users are advised, however, that compliance with stability test requirements does not mean that a unit is incapable of over
unit takes place. Similarly, compliance with load test requirements does not mean that structural collapse will not occur in
Proper Care and Use
The Mobile Ladder Stand or Ladder Stand Platform manufacturer is required to provide maintenance instructions with eac
inspection procedures, general maintenance, and proper tightening directions for threaded fasteners. Users are required to
being allowed to use a Mobile Ladder Stand or Mobile Ladder Stand Platform. As an alternative, employers must instruct
allowing use.
Upon receipt following shipping and prior to each period of use, each Mobile Ladder Stand or Ladder Stand Platform unit
unusual wear, deterioration or corrosion. Any loose bolts, nuts or connections must be tightened. All threaded fasteners m
owners’ responsibility to comply with the manufacturers’ maintenance instructions to maintain the quality and serviceabil
Units that are damaged or weakened from any cause are not to be used until repairs are completed. Units that are damaged
beyond repair must be removed from service and destroyed.
General maintenance of a Mobile Ladder Stand or Platform includes cleaning, lubrication, painting and the replacement o
wheels, casters and rubber pads.
Climbing a damaged Ladder Stand or Ladder Stand Platform is not permitted.
Ladder Stands and Ladder Stand Platforms must never be moved while occupied.
Units must not be loaded beyond their Rated Load capacity.
Materials and/or equipment must not be stored on the Steps or Platform of a unit.
Additional height must not be gained by the addition of any type of extension or object being placed upon the unit.

Users must remove foreign materials, such as mud or grease, from their shoes prior to climbing or mounting.

Handrails, when provided, should be used while ascending or descending. The user must face the steps while ascending or descend
degrees or less above the horizontal.

When electrical lines are present, proper safety measures to avoid contact with energized conductors, insulated or un-insulated, m
electrocution.

Occupied units must not be placed in front of a door unless the door is secured in an open position, locked, attended or barricaded.

Overreaching while on a unit can cause instability and result in a fall. Always place the unit in close proximity to the work. Descend

Use Ladder Stands and Ladder Stand Platforms only on level surfaces. They are not to be used on uneven or sloping surfa
Access to or egress from a Step or Platform from any other elevated surface is prohibited unless the unit has been positive
Users are not permitted to stand on components of the unit other than the Steps or Platform.On-Product Labels and Markings

Each unit must be marked with the manufacturers’ product data information including:

1. Manufacturers or distributors name or logo;

2. Month and year of manufacture; 
3. and Maximum Rated Load

In addition, the following safety topics must also be addressed by the labels and markings:

1. Visual inspection
2. Maintenance
3. Overreaching
o Example: CAUTION – Overreaching causes a tipping hazard
4. Engagement of the locking mechanism
o Example: CAUTION – Make sure locking mechanism is engaged before climbing
5. Holding handrails during ascent and descent;
6. Appropriate standing surfaces
7. User orientation during ascent and descent
o Example: CAUTION – Face ladder stand & hold handrails when ascending and descending

Applicable Safety Standards

Safety and design requirements for Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms can be found in the following standar
 ANSI-ASC A14.7-2006, American National Standard for Mobile Ladder Stands and Mobile Ladder Stand Platforms