Poorly designed and constructed wooden ladders built on the job site have led to serious injuries to construction workers.

Job-built wooden ladders must be designed and constructed to the WorkSafeBC specifications set out below.

• Minimum width: 380 mm (15 in.)
• Maximum width: 500 mm (20 in.)
• Specifications apply to ladders up to a maximum of 5 m (16 ft.) in length.

Material Requirements

• All ladder components must be cut from lumber that is free of defects and construction-grade or better.
• Side rails must be 38 mm x 89 mm (2 in. x 4 in. nominal) and must not be notched, dapped, tapered, or spliced.
• Distance between the inner face of side rails must not be less than 380 mm (15 in.) nor more than 500 mm (20 in.).
• Rungs (cleats) must be 19 mm x 64 mm (1 in. x 3 in. nominal) and placed at 300 mm (12 in.) centres.
• Rungs must be nailed directly onto the edges of the side rails using 57 mm (2¼ in.) wire nails.
• Fillers of 25 mm x 50 mm (1 in. x 2 in.) may be used where needed.

Safety Requirements

• Ladders must be tied, blocked, or otherwise secured to prevent them from slipping.
• Follow all WorkSafeBC guidelines for ladder use and construction.

Training Center: 122-2544 Douglas Road, Burnaby BC. V5C 5B4, Canada.

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