A crossover ladder, also known as a crossover platform, is a raised surface that allows a person to safely walk over gaps, obstacles or hazardous areas rather than go around, climb over or walk through them.
In industrial settings, they give workers a safe path over conveyors, machines, pipes and other objects. In doing so, they protect both employees and equipment, as well as contractors and other visitors to the workplace. Of course, safety standards guide the construction of these work platforms, but businesses also put a premium on flexibility. The layout of workplaces varies tremendously, so crossover platforms need to be configured as precisely as possible for each location.
Let’s take a look at what makes up a quality crossover platform and how one can be set up to fit your workplace.
The crossover ladder, platform and other components
Crossover platforms and ladders often come as modular systems. The parts and their arrangement depend on the industry and the application.
The stairs or ladders
Obviously, these will take people up to and down from the work platform on either side of the obstacle. Not so obvious: What will work best in each situation. If there is ample space, then stairs are the safest option.
The 50 degree safety angle incline stairs allow for the easiest access. Workers can even walk down these stairs while facing away from them, rather than facing toward the rungs of a ladder when using it.
The least amount of floor space is taken by a ladder that goes straight up and down. A middle ground is the 70 degree incline stairs, which extend farther from a work platform than a 90 degree ladder but not as far as the 50 degree incline. Workers also will have to climb down the 70 degree incline stairs while facing them, as with the 90 degree ladder.
The higher your crossover ladder or platform is, the more floor space the stairs require.
The platforms
Modular crossovers include “bridge spans,” which are work platforms with handrails on each side for fall protection. They can be linked together in a straight line over the obstacle.
You might also need a turn platform, which has rails on two congruent sides and the open sides allow you to turn from the platform to the ladder when the rig doesn’t run in a straight line.
Both stairs and platforms offer non-slip surfaces, such as perforated or grip strut.
Fall protection railings
OSHA and ANSI standards carefully regulate the use of railings for ladders and platforms. Many manufacturers can ship ladders and platforms to customers with OSHA-compliant rails already attached.
Platform supports
Crossover platforms that extend beyond a certain length by connecting multiple bridge spans will require platform supports, sometimes called bridge kits.
Foot plates
These sturdy pieces are used to anchor the stairs and other elements to the warehouse or factory floor.
Where are the advantages of crossover platforms?
You can find crossover platforms providing permanent, safe access to areas in many settings and industries such as aviation, petrochemical and energy.
They can carry people over conveyors and other machinery so there is no need to halt production just to grant access to a part of your plant.
Indoors, they prevent accidents by cutting the risk of tripping over pipes, electrical wiring and other hazards. Crossover platforms can give supervisors an elevated view of the factory floor. They also give easy access to controls and gauges that are vital to productivity.
Outdoors, they get workers safely over ductwork, HVAC units, walls and other risky areas, They also protect roofs from damage by traffic and dropped tools.
Tri-Arc’s U-Design crossover ladder/platform
One advantage that crossover platforms have over other options, like rolling ladders, is that they can be custom built to the exact specifications that a workplace needs.
The first thing you must do is measure the crossover area.
- What is the height that the platform must clear? That figure would include the height of the object and the amount of clearance needed for the lowest point of the platform. Also, how much clearance will there be from the platform to the ceiling? Enough for a worker of average height? Enough to allow clearance for any equipment you might take across?
- How long does the platform need to be? And how wide? Will you need to link multiple platform pieces between your stairs? What’s the maximum number of bridge spans allowed without additional support?
- How much floor space do you have for the stairs or ladders? Consider the typical traffic in that area, including vehicles. Also keep in mind possible emergency situations. Do workers need to get equipment up to the platform? If so, does that eliminate the use of a 90 degree ladder? And remember, the taller the platform is, the farther any stairs will extend from the base of the platform and the more space they will need. Custom-built crossover ladders also allow for the stairs or ladders on each side of the platform to be oriented in different directions.
- Other things to consider: What weight capacity do you need? What sort of slip-resistant treads and platform surface do you need?
A convenient online helper
Tri-Arc, the Pittsburgh-based company founded 74 years ago, offers a guide on its website that will help you configure a crossover ladder in three easy steps. It can help anyone size up his or her job site.
Step one: Select the type of ladder or stairs that you need, based on the height to the platform, rate of incline and floor space. And you can choose different types of ladders for each end.
Step two: Choose the type and number of bridge spans, or platforms, you need. Tri-Arc’s spans are two feet wide and either 30 inches or 20 inches long. If you need to go farther than 90 inches, extra supports, or leg kits, must be added.
Step three: Select the configuration. Will your crossover ladder be a straight shot? Customers also can choose an L shape, a U shape or a Z shape.
The company’s specifications for its made-in-America crossover platforms include:
- Steel construction
- 1 inch by 2 inch, reinforced rectangular tubes
- Yellow powder-coated finish
- 1,000 lbs. capacity
- Perforated or Grip Strut tread
- 42 inch guardrail height
OSHA rules for a crossover ladder or platform
Crossover platforms can include many parts, so OSHA and ANSI, the federal and industry standard setters, have a lot to say here. The system will need to meet the standards for platforms, stairways, ladders and rails.
Just for platforms, for example, OSHA rules include:
- A platform or runway higher than 4 feet must have guardrails. OSHA does not accept substitutes like chains.
- The platforms must be equal to or less than the width of the stairs and no more than 30 inches deep.
- Runways must be 18 inches wide or more.
- There must be at least 22 inches of clearance from the edge of an open door to the edge of a platform.
A quality crossover ladder or platform
A crossover ladder or platform brings substantial benefits to many types of industries, but they must be planned carefully. Tri-Arc makes all the components for these systems, which are part of its U-Design Configurable Products line. Use the U-Design feature on its website or talk to a Tri-Arc representative to find out the best crossover ladder solution for your business.