SPONSORED
Challenge
A national organization with hundreds of locations throughout the U.S. faced compliance challenges under the updated OSHA 1910 Walking-Working Surfaces (WWS) standard and needed to address safety risks associated with accessing rooftops via fixed ladders.
Their legacy ladder systems posed a fall hazard risk with many of their structures featuring fixed ladders over 24 feet and some relying on outdated cages, which were deemed insufficient by OSHA’s updated requirements.
At the same time, they were in the process of building new locations and wanted to ensure that each of these facilities was compliant with the new standards, so they needed a comprehensive solution to safeguard employees and comply with new regulations across multiple sites.
OSHA Standard Update: OSHA 1910 Walking-Working Surfaces (WWS)
- New fixed ladders with a fall hazard over 24 feet will require fall protection system
- Legacy ladders built prior to November 2018 will need to be retrofit with ladder safety system by November 2036
- Legacy ladders that require significant repair will need to be retrofitted to new requirement at the time of repair
Solution
Wesco and Honeywell partnered to assess and upgrade the company’s ladder systems. Following site evaluations, Honeywell designed custom and pre-engineered ladder safety systems designed to meet OSHA 1910 WWS standards. A plan was then quickly developed to ensure that the hundreds of kitted ladder solutions that were needed would be deployed across all locations before the OSHA compliance deadline.
Summary
Customer
Large U.S. organization with multiple locations.
Challenge
Legacy ladder systems were outdated and unreliable. Organization needed to provide safe roof access for staff that complied with updated OSHA guidelines.
Solution
Pre-engineered, custom ladder kits coupled with maintenance staff training at each location after installation.
Results
The organization met OSHA 1910 compliance across hundreds of locations while reducing fall hazards on ladders over 24 feet.
These systems included fall protection components such as fall arrest shuttles and full body harnesses with chest D-rings for adaptability and OSHA-compliance. Additionally, Honeywell offered safety training to maintenance staff, ensuring proper use of the equipment. And as new facilities were constructed, compliant ladder safety systems were also integrated into those designs.
Result
By proactively addressing ladder safety concerns, the organization is on track to meet OSHA 1910 compliance ahead of the 2036 deadline. In addition to reducing fall risks, the early implementation of these safety systems may provide financial benefits through risk mitigation and reduced liability. The company’s dedication to worker safety demonstrates their commitment to adhering to industry regulations and maintaining a safe working environment.
This Case Study was Brought to You in Partnership With Honeywell
Honeywell ladder safety solutions encompass the largest depth and breadth of fall protection systems for fixed ladders. From off-the-shelf kitted systems to custom-engineered solutions, Honeywell is capable of meeting the needs of enterprise-level organizations, keeping their employees safe and their organization compliant with OSHA 1910 Walking-Working Surfaces (WWS) standards.
Contact your Wesco representative to learn more about Honeywell’s ladder safety solutions or visit Wesco.com/safety.