Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

15 (1) Commercially manufactured portable ladders must meet the requirements set out in one or more of the following standards:

• (a) CSA Standard CAN3-Z11-M81 (R2005), Portable Ladders;

• (b) ANSI/ALI Standard A14.1 -2007, American National Standard for Ladders - Wood - Safety Requirements; or

• (c) ANSI/ALI Standard A14.2 -2007, American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Metal - Safety Requirements.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), every portable ladder, while being used, must be

• (a) placed on a firm footing; and

• (b) secured in a manner that it cannot be dislodged accidentally from its position.

(3) Every ladder, whether portable or permanently secured, must be positioned in a manner so that it is not necessary for a person to use the underside of the ladder.

(4) If a ladder provides access from one level to another, the ladder must extend, if feasible, at least three rungs above the higher level or, if it is not feasible, handholds must be provided.

(5) A metal or wire rope ladder must not be used if there is a hazard that it may come into contact with any live electrical circuit or electrical equipment.

(6) An employee must not work from any of the three top rungs of any single or extension portable ladder or from either of the two top steps of any step ladder.

(7) A non-metallic portable ladder must not be painted.

(8) Every rope ladder must be of sufficient length to reach the intended landing point, unless the distance from the water to the point of access is more than 9 m, in which case a rope ladder is not to be used.

(9) The means of attaching a rope ladder to a vessel must be effective and maintained in a safe condition.

(10) A rope ladder must be equipped with flat wooden treads — at regular intervals with treads wider than the width of the ladder — and be installed in a manner that reduces movement of the ladder.

(11) A rope ladder must not be used to provide access to places on shore except in case of emergency.

(12) When it is necessary to ensure safety, a person must be stationed at the bottom of a ladder to assist the person using the ladder.