Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
Stanley "Skip" Pruss
Director

Part 11, Fixed and Portable Ladders - Landing Platform.

Part 11, Rule 1115 (5) states that; "Through fixed ladders, at their point of access or egress, shall have a step across distance of not less than 7 inches (18 cm) nor more than 12 inches (30 cm), as measured from the center line of the steps or rungs to the nearest edge of the landing area. If the normal step across distance is more than 12 inches (30 cm), a landing platform shall be provided to reduce the distance to the specified limit."

The purpose of Rule 1115 (5) is to establish the acceptable step across distance from the fixed ladder to a landing area. The purpose of the minimum 7 inch distance is to eliminate a potential trip hazard caused by a protruding landing platform. The 12 inches is the maximum distance that the edge of the floor, roof or landing platform can be located from the centerline of the steps or rungs. The rule permits the minimum to be 7 inches, however, figure 3 as it appears in Part 11, (see below) illustrates 2 ½ inches as the minimum distance between the centerline of the steps or rungs and the edge of the landing platform.

The Construction Safety And Health Division (CSHD) accepts 7 inches as a minimum and 12 inches maximum to be in compliance with Rule 1115(5) when fixed ladders are used during construction activity.

The CSHD will also accept the 2 ½ inch minimum distance during construction activity, only when the top rung of the ladder servicing the landing area, is at the same level of the landing served by the ladder. This means the spacing of the ladder rungs must be consistent all the way to the top rung (the rung at the same vertical level as the landing platform), thereby eliminating the trip hazard created by a lesser distance between the top ladder rung and the landing platform.

MIOSHA General Industry Standard Part 3, Fixed Ladders, includes the same figure 3 illustration as the above, however Part 3, Rule 335 (5) specifies the 2 ½ inch minimum distance, with the top rung placement as described above. Accepting the 2 ½ inch clearance under these circumstances in construction, is consistent with General Industry Part 3.

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