Ladders
1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this standard is to define the minimum requirements for selection and use of portable and fixed Ladders.
2.0 SCOPE
The standard applies to the Portable and Fixed Ladders that are used at SABIC and it’s Affiliates f acilities.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
3.1Fixed L adder: means a ladder that cannot be readily moved or carried
because i t i s an i ntegral part of a bui l ding or structure. A side-step fixed
l adder i s a f i xed l adder t hat requires a person gett i ng of f at the top to step
t o t he s i de of t he l adder s i de rai l s to reach the landing. A through fixed
l adder i s a f i xed l adder t hat requires a person gett i ng of f at the top to step
between the side rails of the ladder to reach the landing.
3.2Gin Pole: A supported pole with line attached with which loads may be
raised or lowered through a sheave or block secured to the crosspiece (gin
pole).
3.3Mobile Ladder: means ladders with wheels that can be readily moved.
3.4P ortable ladder: means a ladder that can be readily moved or carried.
3.5Safety Feet: Non-slip material and or fixtures on the bottoms of ladder feet.
Metal spikes or spurs add increased resistance to movement of ladder feet.
3.6Shall: Signifies mandatory requirements.
3.7Should: Signifies recommended/optional requirements.
3.8Spreader: Locking device of sufficient size and strength to securely hold the
front and back sections of a portable stepladder in an open position.
3.9Stepladder:A stepladder i s a sel f-support i ng portable l adder, nonadjustable
i n l ength, having f l at steps and a hinged back. I t s s i ze i s designated by the
overa l l l ength of t he l adder m easured along t he f r ont edge of t he s i de rails.
4.0 REQUIREMENTS
SABIC and its Affiliates using Ladders shall develop procedures and programs that meets the following requirements:
SABIC Industrial Security shall be consulted for any clarification to this standard.
The clarification given by SABIC Industrial Security shall be complied with and considered final.
4.1All single ladders and lower halves of extension ladders shall be equipped
with safety feet. (Metal spikes or spurs may be used when needed).
4.2All wood ladders will be of natural finish. Painting of ladders that may conceal
cracks, chemical attack, wood or metal deterioration shall not be allowed.
Wooden ladders may be sealed with clear materials that seals out moisture
and other liquids but it should be transparent to aid inspection.
4.3Stepladders longer than 6 meters shall not be permitted for use. A substantial
spreader shall be provided to hold the front and back sections in the open
position. Ladders with slopes of less than 22 degrees shall not be used.
4.4Single (straight) ladders longer than 9 meters shall not be permitted for use.
4.5Two-section extension ladders longer than 18 meters shall not be permitted
for use.
4.6Ladder rungs, c l eats,and steps shal l be para l l e l,l evel, and uniformly spaced
w hen the ladder is in position for use.
4.7On two-section (extension) ladders, the minimum overlap for the two
sections in use shall be as follows:
SIZE OF LADDER (METERS) OVERLAP (METERS)
Up to and including 11.4 0.9
Over 11.4 up to and including 14.4 1.2
Over 14.4 up to and including 18.0 1.5
4.8All single and two-section ladders should be equipped with at least a 1.8 m
long rope about 4 cms in diameter to secure the top of the ladder.
