I went to the OSHA web site and found OSHA interpretations.
In my opinion the only way to clear up OSHA rules is right from OSHA any other source is questionable including myself, that is why I recommend going to
www.osha.gov yourself to verify anything anyone tells you.
OSHA has a good web site and you can usually find what you want to know. The actual standards are available on line and many times you can find "Standard Interpretations" which I find very helpful of clearing up certain sections.
OK, keep in mind that the rules are different for portable and fixed ladders.
This first quote applies to portable ladders.
Standard Interpretations
01/13/2000 - Fall protection requirements for fixed and portable ladders in construction.
Portable ladders: fall protection is not required for employees climbing or working on portable ladders.
Neither the ladder standard (29 CFR 1926, subpart X) nor the fall protection standard (29 CFR 1926, subpart M) requires fall protection for workers while working on portable ladders.
You note that a number of general contractors in Georgia "are attempting to require personal fall arrest systems for their subcontractors working on ladders 6 feet or higher." Although the OSHA standards do not require fall protection for workers on fixed ladders below 24 feet or on portable ladders, we encourage employers to provide additional protection.
Now for 'Fixed ladders'
Fixed ladders: fall protection must be provided for employees climbing or working on fixed ladders above 24 feet.
29 CFR 1926.1053(a)(19) states that fall protection must be provided whenever the length of climb on a fixed ladder equals or exceeds 24 feet. A fixed ladder is "a ladder that cannot be readily moved or carried because it is an integral part of a building or structure" (§1926.1050(b)). Also, even if the length of climb is less than 24 feet, under §1926.1053(a)(18), cages, wells, ladder safety devices, or self-retracting lifelines must be provided where the top of the fixed ladder is greater than 24 feet above lower levels.
You can view the whole page
hereNow standard interpretations are not the actual standard, for that we can look at 1926.500(a)(2)(vii)
1926.500(a)(2)(vii)
Requirements relating to fall protection for employees working on stairways and ladders are provided in subpart X of this part.
That section means people on ladders are not subject to the rules in 1926.500 Fall Protection
