Fixed & Ship Ladder
Safe Access Ideal for Tight Spaces in Commercial & Industrial Environments
Prefabricated Fixed & Ship Ladders for Compact, Code-Compliant Access
SafeRack’s prefabricated fixed and ship ladders provide secure, space-efficient access for inspections, maintenance, and emergency use. Their modular, bolt-together design eliminates the delays of custom fabrication, making installation faster and more straightforward.
Constructed from industrial-grade aluminum, these ladders are corrosion-resistant and built for long-term performance in both industrial and commercial settings. Our OSHA-compliant ship ladder features a steep incline that’s ideal for areas with limited horizontal clearance, offering reliable access where standard stairs won’t fit.
With pre-engineered components, these systems reduce installation timelines and help you stay compliant without the added expense of custom design work.
- Time is Money! – Pre-engineered to reduce planning and installation time from weeks to just a few days
- Prefabricated – Modular components eliminate the need for custom fabrication
- Bolts Together – Installs easily with common tools—no welding, cranes, or special equipment needed
- Installs Quickly – No hot work permits or shutdowns required for installation
- OSHA Compliant – Designed to meet or exceed OSHA safety standards
- Aluminum – Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and virtually maintenance-free
What is a ship ladder?
A ship ladder is a steeply inclined stair system (typically between 50° and 70°) used when space constraints make traditional stair runs impractical. Though originally named for their use on marine vessels, ship ladders are commonly installed in industrial environments such as factories, plants, and processing facilities where vertical access is needed but space is limited.
Defined by OSHA under proposed section 1910.21, a ship ladder includes stair treads and handrails and provides safer access than vertical ladders in confined areas. ErectaStep’s OSHA-compliant ship ladders are durable, stable, and fully configurable, allowing for a precise fit in tight industrial spaces. While ideal for maintenance and equipment access, they are not recommended for public, commercial, or residential applications due to their steep incline and specialized use.
Fixed & Ship Ladder
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Fixed & Ship Ladder
Prefabricated Industrial Stairs and Access Platforms
Ship Ladder
Prefabricated Steep Incline, Short Run Industrial Stairs
- 24″ tread width, 4″ tread depth
- Powder-coated handrails
- Always OSHA-compliant
- All aluminum construction
- Engineered for durability
Custom Configurations Available
Made in the USA
OHSA Compliant
Fixed Ladders
ErectaStep’s prefabricated modular design allows fixed ladders to be configured to integrate with your facility’s vertical access and fixed ladder requirements without requiring custom fabrication.
- Prefabricated – Eliminate custom fabrication
- 4″ tread depth
- Powder-coated handrails
- Always OSHA-compliant
- All aluminum construction
- Engineered for durability
Custom Configurations Available
Made in the USA
OHSA Compliant
Features
Platforms
handrails
towers
stairs
Ladders
Prefabricated Stairs
OSHA Compliant. IBC options available
Quality Manufactured in the United States
Made with heavy, marine-grade aluminum.
No welding or special tools needed.
Bolts together easily.
In stock, ready-to-ship
Modular and customizable design
eliminates costly engineering.
Custom colors available.
Safety yellow and mill finish standard.
Eliminates costly engineering and
time consuming fabrication
With our proprietary configurator, we can build your unique stair or work platform configurations in minutes. We can also create pre-engineered shop drawings at no additional cost by adding the project measurements.
You’ll also be able to visualize your project with realistic rendering in real-time. You can be confident your design meets all OSHA requirements without the time and expense of an engineer.
Fixed & Ship Ladder Installations
Resources & Specifications
Videos
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Frequently Asked Question
Ship ladders are best suited for tight spaces where a full stair run is not feasible, such as access to mezzanines, equipment platforms, mechanical rooms, or maintenance areas.
Yes. ErectaStep ship ladders are pre-engineered to meet OSHA guidelines, including slope, tread depth, handrails, and clearance requirements.
Absolutely. Each ladder can be configured to match your specific elevation, space constraints, and access needs, ensuring a proper fit without field modification.
No. Due to its steep incline, a ship ladder is designed for industrial use only and is not suitable for general public or office access.
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Project Profiles
INSTALLATIONS
Customer Reviews
Very responsive, with a great turnaround, and good quality product. Very responsive, with a great turnaround, and good quality product. Sam Ham quickly responded with a drawing in order to to verify what we needed. Then shipped it quick.
By Bradley D. from Smith Hardware and Auto Parts
Ease of mobility. Safety. Multiple heights. Just used it today for the first time. Easy to use and set up. Makes getting to the top of tank wagons and iso-containers much easier.
By Mark H. from King Industries, Inc.
Very responsive. The representative got back to me immediately. We needed an A-1 chock for a railcar. We are very happy with the product, it works very well!
By Larry D. from United Feed Co-Op Inc.
SafeRack representatives were very professional and helpful with my staff. The product is versatile and can be erected, dismantled, and modified fairly quickly.
By Tom O. from Hensel Phelps Construction