Machine access ladder
The machine pictured is going to be imported and installed by my company. It has the pictured access ladder installed, and I am being asked if it is acceptable. From this angle, it looks ok to me. The rungs are textured/knurled. It has a fall protection cage on the upper section. The lower section is removeable for when it is not in use. I can't tell if there is a swing gate at the top from this angle, but that's the only thing I can think of that it might need. Anyone have any input?
Comments (4)
Well you could call the yellow structure a ladder. It is at an angle, but so is the step ladder (without the pallet). My initial thoughts are that if you call it a ladder you are good. I might put signage around to remind employees on safe ladder usage like three points of contact at all times, and staying between vertical bars. Train accordingly. It does look a little flimsy and might have a weight restriction. What is its capacity rating? I would be happier with a more sturdy ladder! Does not look like it would hold a >250 pound employee.
I am guessing the ladder is there to give employees access to the top of the machine. My more immediate concern is what happens when the employee gets to the top of the ladder? Is that a compartment behind the metal walls on top? If so, you might be OK, poor picture of what is up there. If they crawl out on top of the machine what fall protection is up there?
I sure do not like the step ladder on the pallet (why?) or that narrow ladder off to the left. Why not use a regular ladder for that one?
The ladder structure itself looks OK. I would be concerned about something behind it hitting the ladder (since it looks like they store materials and move behind it) - similar to the hazard of putting a ladder in a doorway. I've had equipment with similar setups in the past. Other than that, as long as it meets the structural requirements (e.g., rung spacing, knurled texture, etc.), I'd suggest putting a weight rating, but overall, it looks acceptable without being in-person.
IMO, the cage isn't required and is pretty useless here, so if it were me, I'd take the cage off - in setups like this, they serve no benefit and will actually probably do more harm than good.
Looks like a swing gate up top, so you're good on fall protection at the top once you get off.
This is a picture form the machine manufacturer's facility in Japan, so I cannot answer to the reason behind the step ladder and pallet...not my circus, not my monkeys. Our customer contracted my company to import and install the machine in the US. I was asked about the yellow access structure.
The yellow cage and, more so, the attached ladder are what is in question. I agree, the yellow attached ladder doesn't look very substantial, but, it's only for temporary access to the top of the machine when needed.
The top of the machine is enclosed with walls that are over 42" tall, and for the most part, is a clear platform.
The ladder does look flimsy and it makes me question the structural integrity. Usually, I see a thicker sude rails and it is bolted into the floor. Also, cgeck the plant's policy about a retractable being hooked up at the top with a rope that you can pull down and click to your D ring on your harness before you up abd then, an anchorage point to hook off to, once you make it to the top. Would there be any guardrails around the top of the equipment?