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Why does OSHA prefer self-closing gates over safety chains or removable bars?

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Published on: January 27, 2026

OSHA 1910.28(b)(3)(iv) explicitly states that ladderway floor holes and platform holes must be protected by a guardrail system. While chains or offset entries were previously common, a self-closing gate is the most reliable solution because it removes the “human element.” A gate automatically resets to the protected position, whereas a chain only works if the worker remembers to re-hook it.

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