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Ladders

Every ladder provided by an employer for use at a workplace must be designed, constructed and maintained to safely support any load that will be or is likely to be imposed on it.

An employer must ensure a worker inspects a ladder for defects prior to each use. A ladder found to be broken or defective may not be used until it has been repaired and restored to its original design specifications.

An employer must ensure that no worker uses a metal ladder or metal reinforced rails on a ladder near any exposed energized electrical circuits or equipment.

An employer may not apply anything to a wood ladder except a transparent protective coating and a small identifying mark or symbol, which may be non-transparent. 

Portable ladders

An employer must ensure:

  • A commercially manufactured portable ladder complies with the applicable requirements of the standards referenced in Part 13 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (WSH Regulation). 
  • A self-fabricated portable wood ladder is constructed entirely from construction grade or better lumber and is built according to Part 13 of the WSH Regulation.
  • An extension ladder:
    • is equipped with locks that securely hold the sections of the ladder in the extended position;
    • does not exceed 14.6 m in length if it consists of two sections, or 20 m in length if it consists of more than two sections; and
    • if extended, the extended section overlaps another section for at least one meter for a ladder less than 11 m in length, 1.25 m for a ladder between 11 m and 15 m in length, or 1.5 m for a ladder over 15 m in length.
  • No single portable ladder and no section of an extension ladder exceeds 9 m in length.
  • A portable ladder is secured against movement and is placed on a stable, level base during use.
  • A portable ladder extends at least one metre above a platform, roof or other landing when used as a means of access.
  • A portable ladder, other than a stepladder, is placed against a structure so that the slope of the ladder is no more than 1:4.
  • A stepladder is not more than 6 m high when set for use and has legs securely held in position by metal braces or equivalent rigid support.

An employer must ensure a worker:

  • Uses a stepladder or other commercially manufactured portable ladder in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and safe operating instructions.
  • Using a portable ladder other than a stepladder:
    • does not extend any part of his or her body, except his or her arms, beyond the ladder’s side rails; and
    • maintains a three-point contact on the ladder at all times.
  • Does not perform work from either of the top two rungs, steps or cleats of:
    • a portable ladder, other than a stepladder, unless the manufacturer’s specifications permit it; and
    • a stepladder, unless it has a railed platform at the top of the manufacturer’s specifications for the stepladder, permits it.

Fixed ladders

Employers and owners must ensure that a ladder that is permanently fixed to a supporting building or structure:

  • Is designed by a professional engineer, as is its permanent attachment system to the building or structure.
  • Is constructed, erected and installed in accordance with the specifications certified by a professional engineer.
  • Is equipped with a suitable safety gate, or equally effective means of protection from falling, at all access openings in floors, platforms and rest platforms. This requirement does not apply to:
    • a landing that is serviced by more than one fixed ladder; and
    • a fixed ladder was installed before this regulation came into force.
  • Where it is in a vertical position or at an angle of not more than 25 degrees to the vertical, it:
    • meets the requirements of the ANSI Standard, ANSI 14.3 Ladders – Fixed – Safety Requirements;
    • has side rails that extend at least one metre above any platform, roof or other landing on the building or structure to which it is fixed;
    • has an opening in the platform, roof or other landing that does not exceed 750 mm (29.5″) x 750 mm (29.5″); and
    • is equipped, if it is more than 5 m (16′ 5″) high, with ladder cages and rest platforms at intervals of not more than 5 m (16′ 5″) or a fall protection system that meets the requirements of Part 14 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation.
  • Where it is fixed at an angle of more than 25 degrees to the vertical or more than one horizontal to two vertical, it should be equipped with:
    • a handrail that extends its entire length and is between 800 mm (31.5″) and 920 mm (36.25″) above the front edge of the treads;
    • treads that are level and uniform in width and depth and the vertical distances between them throughout the length of the ladder; and
    • on an open side, both a handrail and an intermediate rail or equivalent safeguard.

Legislation

The Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSH Act) and associated regulations are in place to protect the safety and health of workers in Manitoba. Below is a link to the regulation part associated with this safety topic.

Part 13 Entrances, Exits, Stairways, and Ladders, Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation. 

Related links

Tools, equipment and machinery safety topic list