OSHA/Safety requirement for ladder near handrail

[delagina]

I have an elevated steel platform with standard handrail all around.
I need to put another 4' high platform on top of this platform.

The issue is the ladder of 4' high platform is near the handrail of the bigger platform.
Since the ladder is just 4'+, I cannot put a cage.

Is there a cause of concern here? Is there a minimum distance for the ladder from handrail to be safe?
Should I modify the handrail to be higher?

What are the things I can do here.
I cannot move the platform farther away from the handrail even if I can, what is the minimum distance?

 

[sbisteel]

How tall is the elevated platform? If the elevation of the upper platform is over 24' from ground floor, you'll need to have some sort of harness ladder safety system, increase the height of the guardrailing, or move the ladder.

 

[TLHS]

If the edge of your ladder is closer than 4 or 5 feet to the handrail of the lower platform, you would tie your cage bars down to the handrails (or extend the handrail height).

 

[delagina]

tlhs, why would I need a ladder cage for a 4 ft platform?

 

[TLHS]

So that you can tie it into the guardrail if you don't want to build a really tall guardrail at the lower level. The 'cage' in this example, though, would just be the top cage ring and then something to tie that ring into the guardrails below. With that platform height, your top ring is likely high enough that it won't impede entering the ladder at the lower level.

 

[JStephen]

I'm not sure if anything is required to be done, OSHA doesn't specify every single thing.
One option is to put a top hoop on that ladder, then run vertical bars down to the handrail similar to this detail:

It'll look funny, but be workable.
Move the ladder farther from the edge is another option. Or put stairsteps in, with 4', wouldn't take up too much room.

 

[SAIL3]

increase the height of the handrail in the vicinity of the ladder and using engineering judgement increase the size of the members in the handrail in that area....

 

[SteelSlugged]

I second sail's response. No cage. Extend the handrails up to the same height as the handrails on the upper platform. I've done this before. The workers appreciate it.[pre][/pre]