SERIES & NO. SMI - 129

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1 1 of 5 SUBJECT: FIXED SAFETY LADDER - PITS I. PURPOSE To establish a standard safety device to supplement presently installed pit ladders for entering or leaving a pit and to provide a standard for future construction of fixed pit ladders. REFERENCE Plant Engineering & Environmental Planning Office Procedure No Federal and State Occupational Safety & Health Acts M.T.I. SMI-110, "Safety & Health Requirements for Work in Confined Spaces" M.T.I. SMI-107, "Procedure for Neutralizing and Locking Out Sources for Machinery, Equipment and Facilities Services" II. FUNCTIONS AFFECTED Manufacturing Engineering Facilities Engineering Employee Safety Industrial Hygiene Security and Fire Prevention Services III. OPERATIONS AFFECTED Chrysler Corporation IV. INFORMATION Common practice has been to bed steel ladder rounds in the pit as the pit walls are being poured. Ladders of this construction generally have their top rung somewhere below floor level, which results in a difficult and unsafe maneuver required by personnel due to the lack of sufficient devices from which hand and arm support may be obtained. Exhibit "A" (attached) indicates a method which will provide arm support to personnel entering pits. In certain plants and locations, the practice has been to embed straight ladder rounds diagonally across a corner of the pit, imbedding one end of the rod in each of two(2) intersecting walls. Installations of this type are still capable of using the device illustrated in Exhibit "A" although a modification will have to be made to suit actual field conditions.

2 2 of 5 V. INSTRUCTION A. Procedure The following procedure should be used when entering pits: B. Use C. Safety 1. Notify area supervisor. 2. Shut off machine if present. 3. Lock out all power sources as outlined in M.T.I. SMI Install barricade or sawhorses around area to be opened up. 5. Remove cover, cover plates or planking over pit. 6. Reach down, grasp chain, and raise pipe in vertical direction. 7. Insert chain pipes into stationary pipe holders. 8. Enter pit following procedure as outlined in M.T.I. 9. Upon leaving, remove pipes from holders and drop down into pit, then replace pit cover. The device, as illustrated in Exhibit "A", or as modified to meet actual field conditions, should be installed in all pits requiring ladders. Installation may be performed by maintenance personnel. The device shall be made an integral part of all new pit installations. Two(2) additional changes should be made to pit ladders to increase safety and minimize the danger of failing. 1. Weld a piece of safety grating three inches (3") wide by the approximate width of the ladder rung to the top of each rung (See Exhibit A). This provides a non-skid surface and a better support for the foot.

3 3 of 5 2. Weld a pipe or rod in the corner of the radii of the ladder rungs (See Exhibit A). This provides a stop for a mans foot and prevents a foot from slipping off the side of the rung. VI. New Construction or Modification of Pit Ladders New construction or modification of pit ladders shall conform to current Federal and State standards governing the installation of pit ladders. A. The weight of the ladder and attached appurtenances together with the live load shall be considered in the design of rails and fastenings. B. The rungs of an individual-rung ladder shall be so designed that the foot cannot slide off the end (See Exhibit B). C. Ladders formed by individual metal rungs imbedded in concrete which serve as access to pits shall have a minimum diameter of one inch (1"). See Exhibit B. D. Where pit atmospheres may cause corrosion or rusting, ladder rungs or metal ladders shall be painted or treated to prevent deterioration. E. The distance between rungs, cleats, and steps shall not exceed twelve inches (12") and shall be uniform throughout the length of the ladder. See Exhibits "A" and "B". F. The distance from center line of rungs, cleats, or steps to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder shall not be less than seven inches (7"). G. All ladders shall be maintained in a safe condition. All ladders shall be -inspected regularly, with the intervals determined by use and exposure.

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