Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 010C Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(4): Ladder(s) were used for purposes other than the purpose for which they were designed: Location: The Boschertown Sanitary Sewer Project at or near 3400 N. Hwy 94, St. Charles, MO 63301. On or about Aug. 27, 2012, the employer provided the worker with an improper portable ladder for use in five (5) vault manholes that ranged in depth from 6'1" to 18'6". The vault manholes were equipped with fixed ladder rungs that were recessed approximately 8 1/2 inches from the edge of the hatch opening; the valve vault manhole lid was approximately 12 inches in depth resulting in a reach distance of approximately 34 inches from the top of the manhole access hatch to the first accessible ladder rung. Each vault manhole hatch opening measured 41" by 36" and the base of the ladder in the open and locked position was 53 1/2" by 25". The dimensions of the vault manhole made it impossible to have the stepladder in the fully open and locked position in these confined spaces prior to using the ladder. The employer failed to provide the worker with the proper portable ladder despite having a policy in their written safety program that requires stepladders to have a metal spreader or locking device holding the front and back sections in an open position when the ladder is in use. The employer provided an 8 ft. stepladder which could not be used in the open and locked position exposing the employee to fall hazards as follows: a.)The worker entered a meter vault manhole with equipment, materials, and supplies that was approximately 6'1" deep. The 8 ft. stepladder was used to access this space exposing the worker to a fall distance of approximately 6'1". b.)The worker entered a valve vault manhole with equipment, materials, and supplies that was approximately 7'0" deep. The 8 ft. stepladder was used to access this space exposing the worker to a fall distance of approximately 7'0". c.)The worker entered a valve vault manhole with equipment, materials, and supplies that was approximately 7'6" deep. The 8 ft. stepladder was used to access this space exposing the worker to a fall distance of approximately 7'6". d.)The worker entered a valve vault manhole with equipment, materials, and supplies that was approximately 8'6" deep. The 8 ft. stepladder was used to access this space exposing the worker to a fall distance of approximately 8'6".