Access ladders to all sorts of places in a theatre are common. Loading galleries, the gridiron, spotlight positions, front of house lighting bridges, and box booms are some of the many locations that technicians need to reach safely during the course of their regular workday.

Whenever possible, straight ladders should be avoided as they are the most difficult to use, especially if one needs to carry tools or equipment. Many times, these items must be hoisted up separately. Ships ladders, staircases, and direct, same level access are always preferred to mitigate or eliminate the danger of a fall. This is especially important in non-professional venues like High School auditoriums and Community Theatre spaces.

When a straight ladder is the only option, there are building codes and OSHA regulations that must be considered. Until very recently all that was required by OSHA Section 1910.27 was that there be a “resting” landing every 30 feet, and the ladder had to be caged.

In 2016, OSHA made significant changes to the requirements to new and existing fixed ladder systems, per this excerpt from the November 2016 “OSHA Fact Sheet” (OSHA Document DSG FS-3903 https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3903.pdf):

“The new rule phases in a requirement for employers to have ladder safety or personal fall arrest systems for fixed ladders that extend more than 24 feet, and phases out the use of cages or wells for fall protection under the following timeline: Starting in two years (2019), all new fixed ladders and replacement ladder/ladder sections must have a ladder safety or personal fall protection system. For existing ladders, within two years, employers must install a cage, well, ladder safety system, or personal fall arrest system on fixed ladders that do not have any fall protection. Within 20 years, all ladders extending more than 24 feet must have a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system.”

If your next project cannot avoid having straight ladders for access to technical spaces, remember that fall protection systems are now required, and should be designed and specified to meet the venue and employee’s needs.  Be aware that fall protection systems frequently require infrastructure to be integrated into the design of a facility to accommodate the structural attachment of the equipment. An ASTC consultant, working with a specialized fall protection system designer, can provide guidance on how the system can be incorporated into a venue.

By Peter Scheu, ASTC

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the American Society of Theatre Consultants. This article is for general information only and should not be substituted for specific advice from a Theatre Consultant, Code Consultant, or Design Professional, and may not be suitable for all situations nor in all locations.