EN ISO 14122-4: FIXED LADDERS
EN ISO 14122-4: Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery -
Part 4: Fixed ladders
Last update 10/07/2022
The Standard EN ISO 14122-4 was published in Italy on October 2016, replaces the previous
EN ISO 14122-4 of 2010 and is not applicable to machinery manufactured before the date of
its publication.
This part of ISO 14122 gives requirements for fixed ladders which are a part of a stationary
machine, and to the non-powered adjustable parts (e.g. foldable, slidable) and movable parts
of fixed ladder systems..
The new standard, thanks to the use of images, allows to have a clearer idea of what are the
requirements to be observed.
The new approach of EN 14122-4: 2016
While the previous EN 14122-4 shows a list of all the dimensions to be respected, the
approach adopted by the new standard is to provide a guide for choosing the main features
and the elements that the ladders will have.
Guidelines are given for the choice of the type of ladder based on the available space and
defining the spaces to be respected between the various elements of the ladder and any
other fixed obstacle present in the area.
A guide is also given to the choice of personal protective equipment against falls from a
height and for the assessment of risks related to the ladder, taking into account aspects
such as effort, damage due to falling, frequency of use, etc.
Based on the total height, the new standard establishes which dimensions to comply with
and which protection devices to adopt. It also establishes how rest platforms should be
placed.
NB: The structures such as buildings and machine parts, may constitute a safety cage
in themselves, provided that the dimensions obtained are the same as those
established by the standard for the construction of safety cages.
Physical characteristics of the ladder and
protection devices
The standard details the test to be performed, both with one or two stiles.
The test weights and the application points are established for the various elements of the
ladder (rungs and stiles) and for any protection devices (safety cages or guard-rails).
The geometric features (design and construction) of all the elements that can form the
ladder system, from rungs to safety cages, are detailed. This section specifies that the fall
protection devices to be applied to the arrival area are independent of any other protection
device applied to the ladder. Therefore, it is not possible to avoid other fall protection
devices just because, for example, it is expected to use the fall arrester along the ladder.
Marking of Ladeder systems with fall arrester
At least the following shall be permanently marked at point of entry and exit to the ladder
system:
• the Manufacturer;
• the Year of manufacture;
• the date of commissioning;
• a reference on standard for fall protection;
• a reference on standard of full body harness;
• the type of guided type fall arrester;
• the type of fall protection device;
• the notice: "Use of personal protective equipment is mandatory".
SAFETY CAGE OR FALL ARRESTER?
SAFETY CAGE OR FALL ARRESTER?
The 2004 edition of EN ISO 14122-4 contained the following text concerning the danger of
falling:
[§4.4.1.3] Note: an appropriate personal protective device against falls can stop the fall better
than a cage.
In the Instructions for use, the following text was reported:
6.2 Instructions for using ladders with fall arrest
In the instructions for using, the prescriptions of EN ISO 12100-2 and EN 353-1
must be taken into account.
6.3 Marking at access and exit points
Ladders with guided type fall arrester must be permanently marked with the
following information:
- type and construction year of the guided type fall arrester;
- warning: "The use of personal protective equipment is mandatory".
The marking is required only in those access and exit points that can be reached
through the respective ladders.
These facts and the general approach of the law had raised a formal objection by the French,
pursuant to Article 6, par. 1, of the Machinery Directive in that time(98/37/CE). The cause of
this objection was that the rule placed the accent and gave priority to the devices of personal
protection against falling with respect to the presence of a cage and a correct maximum
height of the ladder.
The standard was therefore removed from the list of harmonized standards for a few years.
The new edition of ISO EN ISO 14122-4 (last edition 2016) has modified the approach, giving
priority to the presence of the protective cage. Here is an important step:
4.2 Choice of a type fall protection device
4.2.1 Necessity of a fall protection device.
In case of an overall falling height equal or higher than 3000 mm, the ladder shall be fitted with
a fall protection device.
4.2.2 Types of protection device.
The main aternatives for protection of the users of fixed ladders against falling from height are
the following:
a) Safety Cage
The cage is a means wich is always present and the actual level of safety is independent of the
operator's actions, therefore it is the preffered choice.
b) Guided type fall arrester on rigid anchorage (fall arrester)
A fall arrester in only effective if the user chooses to use it. If a harness with an incompatible
sliding system is used with a guided type fall arrester, there will be a risk of falling.
A combination of both safety cage and fall arrester shall not be applied.
The part of the standard that gives requirements for the Instructions for use was also
modified as follows:
7.1.2 Ladder systems with fall arrester
The relevant provisions of ISO 12100 as well as of EN 353·1 shall be presented in the
instruction handbook supplied with the machine.
The following minimum information shall be provided when the ladder system includes a fall
arrester:
- advice that a ladder with fall arrester shall be used only by well-trained users;
- advice on the risk of falling while using an incompatible self-locking guided type fall arrester
and incompatible lanyard with the rigid anchor line;
- advice on how to use the harness, as provided by the manufacturer, with the guide lock;
- advice on how to instruct the authorized person(s) in the safe operation of ladders with fall
arrester;
- advice on how movable parts shall be locked in the intended positions when in use and in the
stored position.
One conclusion is that a Ladder provided with a Safety Cage in conformity with the
present stanard does not require a fall arrester.
