SHOP TALK
ladders) as a “mobile, fixed-height, self-supporting ladder that usually consists of wheels or casters on a rigid base with steps leading to a top step. A mobile ladder stand also may have handrails and is designed for use by one employee at a time.” The new rule also went on to define mobile ladder stand platforms (often referred to as work platforms) as a “mobile, fixed-height, self-supporting unit having one or more standing platforms that are provided with means of access or egress.” Given the fact that the vast majority of aircraft maintenance occurs at elevated levels, it is easy to understand why aerospace facilities rely heavily on these pieces of equipment to get their technicians within arm’s reach of the task at hand. Facilities that choose to utilize mobile ladder stands and/or platforms in the maintenance of their aircraft have an obligation to ensure that the elevated equipment complies with the following OSHA regulations (listed in no specific order):
• The steps of the mobile ladder stand or platform must have: a step width of at least 16 inches (41 centimeters); a rise of not more than 10 inches (25 centimeters); and a depth of not less than 7 inches (18 centimeters). Additionally, steps must be uniformly spaced and arranged.
• The steps and working surfaces on the mobile ladder stand or platform must be slip resistant. Slip resistant surfaces must be either an integral part of the design and construction of the mobile ladder stand or platform or added as a secondary process or operation (i.e. dimpling, knurling, shot blasting, coating, spraying or applying durable slip resistant tapes).
• Mobile ladder stands and platforms must be capable of supporting at least four times
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their maximum intended load. Additionally, the wheels or casters on the stand or platform must be capable of supporting their proportional share of four times the maximum intended load (in addition to their proportional share of the unit’s weight).
• Mobile ladder stands and platforms that have wheels or casters must be equipped with a system to impede horizontal movement when an employee is on the stand or platform. Additionally, mobile ladder stands and platforms cannot move when an employee is on it.
• Mobile ladder stands and platforms with a top step height of four feet (1.2 meters) or more must be equipped with handrails
that have a vertical height of 29.5 inches (75 centimeters) to 37 inches (94 centimeters) when measured from the front edge of a step.
• Handrails must be installed on every open side of the mobile ladder stand or platform, excluding entrances. Exceptions to this rule can be made when the ladder or platform is up against another vertical surface.
• Any guardrail system that is protecting a ledge that poses a fall risk (i.e. any instance where a tool or piece of merchandise could fall off the ledge and hit a person or piece of machinery below) is required to have 3.5-inch toe board installed along its base.
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