OSHA Caged Ladder
Update: What Changed Under 1910.28(b)(9)
OSHA no longer accepts cages or wells as fall protection for new fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet.
Under OSHA 1910.28(b)(9), ladders installed on or after November 19, 2018, must have a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system, and by November 18, 2036, all fixed ladders over 24 feet must comply.
If your facility still relies on caged ladders, now is the time to plan. Alaco builds OSHA-compliant fixed ladder systems and helps facilities upgrade ahead of the 2036 deadline.
What Is the OSHA 1910.28(b)(9) Rule?
OSHA 1910.28(b)(9) covers fall protection on fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet above a lower level.
In its 2017 walking-working surfaces ruling, OSHA determined that cages and wells do not reliably prevent falls. They only contain a worker after a fall begins. The rule phases them out in favor of personal fall arrest systems and ladder safety systems.
What Is the Timeline for the Caged Ladder Phase-Out?
The rule applies in stages based on when the ladder was installed:
Before the 2017 Ruling
Cages and wells were an accepted form of fall protection on fixed ladders over 24 feet. Many facilities still operate ladders built under this standard.
New Ladders: Installed On or After November 19, 2018
Under 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(B), every new fixed ladder must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system. Cages alone no longer qualify.
Existing Ladders: Installed Before November 19, 2018
Under 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(A), existing fixed ladders may keep a cage or well for now, or use a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system.
Replacement Ladders
Under 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(C), when a fixed ladder or ladder section is replaced, the replacement must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system.
Final Deadline: November 18, 2036
Under 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(D), all fixed ladders over 24 feet must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system. Cages and wells will no longer count as fall protection.
What Should Facilities Do Before the 2036 Deadline?
Facilities with caged ladders don’t need to remove them today, but every new install, replacement, or major upgrade must meet the new standard. Planning retrofits early avoids rushed compliance work and spreads costs over time.
Alaco builds fixed ladder systems with integrated ladder safety systems, engineered to your exact height, layout, and access points.
Whether you are installing new ladders or upgrading existing ones, our team designs systems that meet OSHA 1910.28 from day one.
Why Choose Alaco for OSHA-Compliant Fixed Ladders?
Built to the Current Standard
Every Alaco fixed ladder is designed to meet OSHA 1910.28 requirements, including compatibility with ladder safety systems- no retrofitting surprises later.
Aircraft-Grade Materials
Our ladders are made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, as strong as structural steel, but lighter, with superior scratch resistance.
100+ Years of Manufacturing Experience
Alaco has built code-compliant ladder systems for over a century, trusted by institutions including Disney, the County of Los Angeles, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Design and Retrofit Support
From shop drawings to installation guidance, our team helps you plan upgrades that meet the 2036 deadline without disrupting operations.
Upgrade Your Fixed Ladders Before the Deadline!
Whether you’re installing a new fixed ladder or planning to retrofit existing caged ladders, Alaco builds systems that meet OSHA 1910.28 today, not just until 2036.
Contact our team to discuss your project. Call (888) 310-7040 or request a quote online.
People Also Ask
Are caged ladders still OSHA compliant?
Existing fixed ladders installed before November 19, 2018 may still use a cage or well under OSHA 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(A). However, all new and replacement ladders require a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system, and by November 18, 2036, cages alone will no longer qualify on any fixed ladder over 24 feet.
When do caged ladders need to be replaced?
By November 18, 2036, all fixed ladders extending more than 24 feet must be equipped with a personal fall arrest system or a ladder safety system under OSHA 1910.28(b)(9)(i)(D). Any ladder installed or replaced after November 19, 2018 must already meet this requirement.
Why did OSHA phase out ladder cages?
OSHA’s 2017 walking-working surfaces ruling found that cages and wells do not stop falls. They only contain a worker after a fall begins. Personal fall arrest systems and ladder safety systems actively stop falls, which is why OSHA now requires them on fixed ladders over 24 feet.
What is a ladder safety system?
A ladder safety system is fall protection equipment attached to a fixed ladder, typically a rail or cable with a traveling sleeve that connects to the climber’s harness. It stops a fall within a short distance while allowing the worker to climb with both hands free.
Do I need to remove the cage from my existing ladder?
No. OSHA does not require the removal of existing cages. Cages can remain in place alongside a personal fall-arrest system or a ladder safety system. They simply no longer count as the primary form of fall protection after the 2036 deadline.
Does the 24-foot rule apply to all fixed ladders?
OSHA 1910.28(b)(9) applies to fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level. Shorter fixed ladders are covered by other sections of the walking-working surfaces standard, but do not fall under the cage phase-out requirements.