Fixed ladder and ships ladder live loads

[UcfSE]

I've come across some debate within the company I'm at concerning live loads to be applied to ships ladders (with treads) and fixed ladders (with rungs). OSHA 1926.1053(a)(1)(iii) provides minimum loads for ladders, as does ASCE 7-10 chapter 4. When engineering ladders, I would expect to use the stricter of the two (ASCE 7 and OSHA) for each ladder construction, but that isn't what this company does (I'm new here). They just use the OSHA loads, apparently without regard to the ASCE 7 loads. What are your opinions on the matter? Is this addressed elsewhere? I didn't find any more specific loading requirements in the IBC. Thanks!

 

[BAretired]

See attached link.

BA

 

[UcfSE]

Thanks for the article.

What I'm looking at is OSHA requiring two 250-lbf loads, and ASCE requiring 100 psf or 300-lbf load. I'm of the opinion to apply both OSHA and ASCE 7, and use whichever produces a higher load effect. Not everyone here at my office agrees with that, so I'm reaching out for other opinions on what load to apply and, more importantly, why.

 

[nutte]

What are these ladders for? Are they part of a building, or temporary ladders for construction use?

If they're part of a building, and if your building has to comply with the IBC, then you have to design for those loads (which are the same as those in ASCE 7). In this case, you can't ignore the ASCE 7 loads just because you choose to design them to another standard.

 

[UcfSE]

They are permanent ladders attached to a structure.

 

[wannabeSE]

OSHA standards in Part 1926 do not apply. This section is for the construction industry. A permanent ladder would fall under requirements for general industry in Part 1910. OSHA has a standard interpretation that states the OSHA standards for fixed ladders do not apply to ships stairs (ladders):

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25301