Cage. An enclosure that encircles the climbing space of a fixed ladder. It is fastened to the ladder side rails or to the structure and may also be called a cage or basket guard.
Cleat. A ladder crosspiece used in climbing or descending. Also called a step or rung.
Equivalent. Alternative design, material, or method to protect against a hazard. You have to demonstrate it provides an equal or greater degree of safety for employees than the method, material, or design specified in the rule.
Extension ladder. A nonself-supporting portable ladder consisting of two or more sections. The sections travel in guides or brackets that allow the length of the ladder to be changed. The size is designated by the sum of the lengths of each section, measured along the side rails.
Failure. The ladder or ladder component loses the ability to carry the load, breaks, or separates into component parts.
Fastenings. Devices to attach a ladder to a structure, building, or equipment.
Fixed ladder. A ladder permanently attached to a structure, building, or equipment.
Grab bars. Handholds placed adjacent to or as an extension above ladders for the purpose of providing access beyond the limits of the ladder.
Job-made ladder. A ladder that is made, not commercially manufactured, to fit a specific job situation. They are for temporary use until a particular phase of construction is completed or until permanent stairways or fixed ladders are ready to use.
Individual-rung/step ladder. A fixed ladder consisting of individual steps or rungs mounted directly to the side or wall of the structure, building, or equipment.
Ladder. A device having steps, rungs, or cleats that can be used to climb or descend.
Ladder safety device. Any device, other than a cage or well, designed to arrest the fall of a person using a fixed ladder.
Ladder type. The designation that identifies the maximum intended load (working load) of the ladder. Ladder types are as follows:
Maximum Intended Load (pounds)
Industry, utilities, contractors
Industry, utilities, contractors
Painters, offices, light maintenance
General household use
Landing. Any area such as the ground, roof, or platform that provides access or egress to a ladder.
Maximum intended load. The total load of all persons, equipment, tools, materials, transmitted loads, and other loads reasonably anticipated to be applied to a ladder or ladder component at any one time. Sometimes referred to as working load.
Pitch. The included angle between the horizontal and the ladder, measured on the opposite side of the ladder from the climbing side.
Portable ladder. A ladder that can be readily moved or carried.
Reinforced plastic. A plastic that has high-strength fillers embedded in the base resin to increase strength.
Reinforced plastic ladder. A ladder whose side rails are reinforced plastic. The crosspieces, hardware, and fasteners may be made of metal or other suitable material.
Rung. A ladder crosspiece used in climbing or descending. Also called a cleat or step.
Side-step ladder. A fixed ladder that requires a person to step to the side of the ladder side rails to reach the landing.
Single ladder. A nonself-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of one section. The size is designated by the overall length of the side rail.
Single-rail ladder. A portable ladder with crosspieces mounted on a single rail. Single-rail ladders are prohibited from use.
Special-purpose ladder. A portable ladder that is made by modifying or combining design or construction features of the general-purpose types of ladders in order to adapt the ladder to special or specific uses.
Step. A ladder crosspiece used in climbing or descending. Also called a cleat or rung.
Stepladder. A self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, with flat steps and hinged at the top. The size is designated by the overall length of the ladder measured along the front edge of the side rails.
Through ladder. A fixed ladder that requires a person to step between the side rails of the ladder to reach the landing.
Trestle ladder. A self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of two sections hinged at the top to form equal angles with the base. The size is designated by the length of the side rails measured along the front edge.
Well. A walled enclosure around a fixed ladder that provides a person climbing the ladder with the same protection as a cage.
Working length. The length of a nonself-supporting ladder, measured along the rails, from the base support point of the ladder to the point of bearing at the top.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010
, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060, and chapter 49.17
RCW. WSR 14-09-095, § 296-876-099, filed 4/22/14, effective 7/1/14.]