OSHA Walking and Working Surfaces 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard covers portable ladders in general industry?
- 1910 Subpart D (Correct answer)
- 1926 Subpart M
- 1910 Subpart E
- 1910 Subpart I
Correct answer: 1910 Subpart D
Subpart D of 1910 covers walking-working surfaces, including ladders in general industry.
Question 2: When using a portable straight ladder, it should be positioned so the horizontal distance from the base to the support equals about what fraction of the working length?
- One-half
- One-third
- One-quarter (Correct answer)
- One-fifth
Correct answer: One-quarter
The 4-to-1 rule places the base one-quarter of the working length away from the wall.
Question 3: How many points of contact should a worker maintain when climbing a ladder?
- One point
- Two points
- Three points (Correct answer)
- Four points
Correct answer: Three points
Three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) keeps the climber stable.
Question 4: A fixed ladder that extends more than what height must generally be equipped with fall protection under the updated 1910.28 rule?
- 12 feet
- 20 feet
- 24 feet (Correct answer)
- 30 feet
Correct answer: 24 feet
Fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet require a personal fall arrest or ladder safety system under current rules.
Question 5: By what date must existing fixed ladders over 24 feet have a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system, replacing cages, under OSHA's phase-in?
- November 2028
- November 2036 (Correct answer)
- November 2024
- November 2020
Correct answer: November 2036
OSHA requires all such fixed ladders to have compliant systems by November 18, 2036.
Question 6: What should a worker do before using a portable ladder found with a cracked side rail?
- Use it carefully anyway
- Tag it out of service and remove it from use (Correct answer)
- Reinforce it with tape
- Only use the top half
Correct answer: Tag it out of service and remove it from use
Defective ladders must be tagged and removed from service until repaired or discarded.
Question 7: How far should a portable ladder extend above a landing surface when used for access to an upper level?
- At least 1 foot
- At least 3 feet (Correct answer)
- At least 5 feet
- It does not need to extend above
Correct answer: At least 3 feet
Ladders used for access must extend at least 3 feet above the landing to provide a handhold.
OSHA Walking and Working Surfaces 3
Which OSHA standard covers portable ladders in general industry?