R 408.41121 Inspection; faults and defects.

Rule 1121. (1) A ladder, as prescribed in this part, shall be used to provide safe access to all elevations, unless other means, such as steps, stairs, ramps, runways, or elevators, are provided. (2) A ladder shall be inspected before use and after it has fallen or been involved in an accident to determine its condition. (3) A ladder that has any of the following faults and defects shall be immediately tagged "DANGEROUS - DO NOT USE" and shall be withdrawn from service: (a) Broken, worn, or missing rungs, cleats, or steps. (b) Broken or split side rails. (c) Broken or bent guides or iron spreaders. (d) Broken or bent locks. The tag shall be as prescribed in Construction Safety Standard Part 22 “Signals, Signs, Tags, and Barricades,” as referenced in R 408.41102a. (4) Fixed ladders that have structural defects, such as broken or split rails or corroded components, shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. The requirement to withdraw a defective ladder from service is satisfied if 1 of the following provisions is complied with: (a) The ladder is immediately tagged with the words "do not use" or similar language. (b) The ladder is marked in a manner that readily identifies it as defective. (c) The ladder is blocked, such as with a plywood attachment that spans several rungs. (5) Ladder repairs shall restore the ladder to a condition that meets its original design criteria before the ladder is returned to use.