Machine Safety / Access

Ladder
Ladders are designed to provide permanent access with safety even in the most difficult environmental conditions. As the ladder
have fall hazard associated with it, the two methods for protection of the users of fixed ladders against falls from a height are
safety cages or fall arrester.
Requirements of Ladder:
As far as possible, fixed ladders should be designed with two stiles.
All parts likely to be in contact with users shall be designed so as not to catch, hurt or hinder
Positioning of rung 225mm to 300mm equally spaced over the span
The top rung shall be positioned at the same level as the walking surface of the arrival area
The gap between the walking surface and the ladder shall not greater than 75mm, if unavoidable, the landing platform with
guardrail shall be provided.
Rungs can be in polygonal / circular / U-shaped and walking surface shall flat.
Width of the rung can be between 400mm to 600mm.
The diameter / depth of the rungs shall be at least 20 mm
The surface of the rung shall free from sharp portions and have a slip resistant walking surface
The ends of the rungs of fixed ladders shall be against slipping-off laterally from the rungs

the cage shall be the required choice, as it is a means which always is present and the actual level of safety is independent of the
operator's actions;
where it is not possible to use a cage, individual protective equipment shall be provided. A fall arrester shall only be considered
for low frequency and specialized access. DICV Safety Rule book / Machine Safety / 2020 Ver.1
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Spacing between the ladder and any permanent obstruction
The space between the ladder and any permanent obstruction or obstacles shall be:
 in front of the ladder: at least 650 mm and 600 mm;
 behind the front side of the rungs: at least 200 mm and 150 mm

Safety Cage
The lowest part of safety cage shall start at a height of between 2 200 mm and 3 000 mm above the departure area.
The clear distances within the hoop of the safety cage at departure area shall be between 650 mm and 800 mm & at arrival
area shall be between 500 mm and 700 mm
The distance between two hoops shall not exceed 1 500 mm & the distance between two upright on the cage shall not exceed
300 mm
he hoops shall be placed at right angles to the uprights on the cage.
The safety cage uprights shall be fixed to the inside of the hoop and be equally spaced.
Hand rails shall be fitted connecting the ladder stiles to the handrail of the guard -rail.at arrival area.

Intermediate Platform
The length of the intermediate platform shall be at least 700mm installed between the two flight of the ladder.
These platforms shall be equipped with a gate.
Hand rails shall be fitted connecting the ladder stiles to the handrail of the guard -rail.at Intermediate platform.
The height of the guarding above the platform shall be at least 1100 mm.

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Gate
To prevent falling through the access opening at arrival areas the opening shall be provided with a gate.
Gate strength shall satisfy the guarding requirements to fulfil its purpose.
the opening direction of this gate shall not be towards the edge of the drop (outwards).
Easy to open & close automatically.
Gate shall have at least handrail & mid rail.

Load Testing
The ladder elements like Stile, Rungs, platforms, safety gage & handrail shall be tested under prescribed methodology using
recommended load as per ISO 14122-4 Section 5.1. The

Anchoring points of fixed ladders: The anchoring points and connections to them shall be capable of supporting 3 000 N per
stile. The ladder shall anchored for every 2m and below the arrival level with the maximum distance of 500mm.Up to the
maximum deflection of ladder element shall not exceed 50mm for applied our anchorages may be considered to contribute to
this support.
Marking at points of entry and exit:
:Ladders entry & exit shall be permanently marked with the following information:
 Use Personal protective equipment.
 Authorized access only
 If Fall arrester provision made, Type of guide type fall arrester and year of manufacturing.
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in front of the ladder: at least 650 mm and 600 mm from obstacle.
behind the front side of the rungs: at least 200 mm and 150 mm from obstacle.
Safety cage
the lowest hoop shall start at a height of between 2 200 mm and 3 000 mm above the departure area.
At the arrival area the safety cage shall be extended up to the height of the guard-rail of the arrival area
The clear distances within the hoop of the safety cage shall be between 650 mm and 800 mm
the distance from the surrounding structure in the absence of a safety cage shall be between 325 mm and 400 mm
The clearance within the cage at the arrival area, measured along the cage shall be between 500 mm and 700 mm
The distance between two hoops shall not exceed 1 500 mm
the distance between two uprights on the cage shall not exceed 300 mm.
The safety cage uprights shall be fixed to the inside of the hoop and be equally spaced.
Ladders may have a front or side exit to the arrival area. The width of the access opening shall be between 500 mm and 700
mm

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Handrail:
Handrails shall be fitted connecting the ladder stiles to the handrail of the guard -rail.
Ladder shall provide with suitable safeguards like locking device to prevent unauthorized on and off on ladder.
Note: A written warning or audible signal are not adequate safeguards
if the climbing height H of fixed ladders is equal to or more than 6 000 mm the ladders shall be equipped with one or more
platform(s).
The length of the intermediate platform shall be at least 700 mm installed between the two flights of the ladder
The overlapping of two vertical ladder shall have atleast 1680mm above the platform where height of caging shall extend upto
1600mm.

Ladder shall be tested as reqirements mentiones on EN131-2

Marking at points of entry and exit Ladders with fall arresters shall be permanently marked with the following information:
type of guided type fall arrester and year of manufacture,
notice: "Use of Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory"

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DICV Safety Rule book / Machine Safety / 2020 Ver.1