When Contractors Bypass Gated Fixed Ladders, the Real Risk Begins

When maintenance crews or contractors arrive on‑site and find a fixed vertical ladder that’s gated or locked for fall protection or security, they often revert to improvised solutions.

Two of the most common are:

• Setting up a stepladder to climb over or around the gate.

• Using the standoff brackets or ladder stand‑outs (often required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide clearance) as hand‐ and footholds when the gate is locked or the receiver is missing.

At Ladderport we see these workarounds as red flags: they add serious risk for the contractor and often undermine the safety controls the original ladder was designed to provide.

Understanding the baseline: What OSHA requires for fixed ladders

To frame the hazard, here are relevant compliance points for fixed ladders (those permanently attached to structures) in general industry (29 CFR 1910).

• Table of step‑across clearance: Under 1910.23(d)(2), the “step‑across” distance from the centerline of rungs or steps to the nearest edge of structure or building must be not less than 7 inches (18 cm) and not more than 12 inches (30 cm) for through‐type ladders.

• Fall‑protection trigger: Under 1910.28(b)(9), for fixed ladders installed on or after 19 November 2018 that extend more than 24 feet above a lower level, a ladder safety or personal fall arrest system must be provided.

  
  

These dimensions are important because they create clearances and barriers intended to support safe climbing—but they also create unintended footholds and handholds that contractors may exploit.

Two common contractor workarounds and why they create major hazards

1. Using a stepladder to climb over the gate

When a fixed ladder access point is gated (for fall control, security, restricted access, etc.), contractors sometimes place a portable stepladder next to it, lean over the gate, step onto the ladder rungs of the fixed ladder, and continue upwards. 

Why that’s dangerous:

• The stepladder setup may not be stable or secured for climbing to the fixed ladder rungs.

• The point where the contractor transitions from the stepladder to the fixed ladder rungs is not designed as a safe transfer zone—there’s no handhold, footing, or guardrail to support the shift.

• The gate likely exists for a reason—either to restrict unauthorized access or ensure the climbing system is intact. Bypassing it circumvents existing controls.

• The stepladder adds an additional fall risk: mis‑placement, shift during transfer, or slipping at the interface.

From a compliance standpoint, the fixed ladder’s design assumptions no longer hold when a contractor uses a portable ladder as a bridging solution—not to mention the potential for third‑party liability.

2. Climbing the standoff brackets or mounting hardware because the gate is locked

If the fixed ladder is already installed with stand‑off brackets or extension arms (to meet the 7‑inch clearance rule or to clear piping, ductwork, or equipment), some contractors may view those brackets as makeshift footholds/handholds when they cannot unlock the gate or access the ladder normally.

Why that’s dangerous:

• That bracket or stand‑off hardware was designed for structural clearance—not as a climbing aid. Its geometry, spacing, and load capacity are inadequate for safe human access.

• When climbing with tools or materials in hand (common for contractors), maintaining three‐point contact is compromised.

• The ladder climb becomes “harder” by design: fixed vertical ladders are already difficult to ascend safely without tools; adding unauthorized footholds increases complexity and risk of slipping or missing a rung.

• If the gate was locked to prevent unwanted users, bypassing it via the bracket undermines security and increases risk of unauthorized access/injury.

Why these workarounds matter for facility managers, safety professionals and contractors:

• Regulatory risk: If a worker falls while performing a workaround, questions will arise: Was the ladder access gate intentionally locked? Was the contractor authorized? Was the ladder system inspected and maintained? Did the fixed ladder meet its design and clearance criteria?

• Unexpected liability: Facility owners may think “we locked the gate, we restricted access,” but if contractors circumvent it, the hazard remains and the owner’s control over the means of access is compromised.

• Unsafe climbing conditions: Fixed vertical ladders are inherently more difficult to climb than stairways or platforms. When a contractor uses tools, or isn’t in an optimal position, fatigue or mis‐step risk increases.

• Security concern: Gates are often installed to deter unwanted users—maintenance crews using alternative means often leave the gate open or unsecured afterward, increasing access risk for others.

• System integrity: If contractors are forced to improvise, it signals that access and maintenance architecture may be broken: locked gates, missing keys, unclear procedures, or inadequate ladder systems.

Best practice recommendations

To address these risks and improve safe access, consider the following steps:

• Establish clear access protocols: For every fixed ladder with a gate, define who holds the key, how contractors request access, and how you track usage.

• Inspect gates & locks regularly: Ensure gates are functional, locks operate, and access control is not forcing contractors into workarounds.

• Communicate to contractors: “No stepladder over the gate”: Include in contractor safety briefings that climbing over or bypassing the gate is unacceptable.

• Audit the fixed ladder system: Verify the ladder meets clearance, step‑across, width, and fall protection standards. A “7 inch standoff” is intended for clearance, not a climbing aid.

• Provide alternatives: If access through the locked gate is cumbersome, provide a secondary means of safe access (e.g., a portable ladder that reaches the same level, or a modular platform).

• Training and supervision: Make sure contractors are trained in fixed ladder hazard recognition (fall risk, tool‑carry hazards, clearance obstructions) and that supervisors verify compliance.

• Avoid using stand‑off brackets as climbing aids: If brackets are visible, emphasize in site safety communications that they are structural clearance pieces—not footholds or handholds—and climbing on them is prohibited.

• Review fall‑protection provisions: Especially on ladders over 24 feet, ensure a fall protection system or ladder safety system is in place per OSHA’s fixed ladder standards. OSHA+1

Improvised workarounds on fixed ladders such as using a stepladder to bypass a gate or climbing the standoff brackets introduce serious hazards that undermine both worker safety and access control systems. For facility managers, safety professionals and contractors, the key is to anticipate those workarounds and eliminate the root causes: locked or inaccessible gates, uncertain procedures, and outdated ladder systems.

At Ladderport, we encourage you to verify your fixed ladder access architecture is working as intended—safe, compliant and reliable. When contractors show up, the last thing you want is improvisation.

Improvised ladder access isn’t just unsafe—it’s a sign your system needs attention. If your current setup leads to workarounds, it may be time to re-evaluate your access strategy.

LadderPort receivers and accessories provide secure, code-aware access—without the need for padlocks, stepladders, or risky climbs.

Want to avoid costly mistakes? Download our free eBook: “7 Myths About Roof & Ladder Safety That Could Cost You.” You’ll get key safety insights, real-world stats, and guidance to strengthen your access strategy.