scope:

This standard is intended to prescribe rules and minimum requirements for the construction, care, and use of the common types of portable metal ladders in order to ensure safety under normal conditions of usage. It does not cover special·purpose ladders which do not meet the general requirements of this standard.

Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to provide reasonable safety for life, limb, and property. In order to develop an effective safety program, the stan· dard may serve also as a basis for purchase requirements and for Instructions in personnel training such as safety practices, manuals, posters, etc.

The standard is also intended to provide the manufacturer of metal ladders with a set of performance and dimensional requirements against which his product may be checked.

It is not the purpose of this standard to specify the details of construction of portable metal ladders. The limitations Imposed are for the purpose of providing adequate general requirements and testing methods.