28 Jul Ladder Safety

Ladder Safety

Ladder safety requires selecting the right ladder, inspecting it before use, setting it up correctly, and following safe climbing practices to prevent falls and serious injuries.

Ladders are common on construction sites, but familiarity can lead to unsafe shortcuts. Years of experience do not make an improperly positioned, damaged, or misused ladder safe. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable company requirements.

Ladder Setup and Use

• Keep ladders free of oil, grease, mud, and other slipping hazards.
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s rated capacity. Include the worker, tools, equipment, and materials when considering the total load.
• Use ladders only for the purpose for which they were designed.
• Set non-self-supporting ladders, such as extension ladders, at approximately a 4:1 angle—one foot out for every four feet of working length.
• Place ladders only on stable and level surfaces unless they are properly secured to prevent movement.
• Do not place ladders on boxes, barrels, scaffolds, equipment, or other unstable objects to gain additional height.
• Secure ladders used on slippery surfaces or provide appropriate slip-resistant feet. Slip-resistant feet are not a substitute for proper setup and securing when necessary.
• Secure ladders located in passageways, doorways, driveways, or other areas where traffic or workplace activities could displace them. Barricade the area when necessary.
• Keep the areas around the top and bottom of ladders clear.
• Support both side rails of a non-self-supporting ladder equally unless the ladder has an approved single-support attachment.
• Never move, shift, or extend a ladder while someone is on it.

Safe Climbing Practices

When climbing or descending:

• Always face the ladder.
• Maintain three points of contact whenever possible—two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand.
• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder while climbing.
• Keep your body centered between the side rails.
• Never carry tools, materials, or equipment that could cause you to lose your balance. Use a tool belt, hand line, or other suitable method instead.
• Never slide down ladder side rails.
• Do not overreach. Climb down and reposition the ladder instead.

Stepladders

• Fully open stepladders and engage the spreaders or locking devices before use.
• Never use a folded stepladder as a leaning ladder unless it is specifically designed for that purpose.
• Do not stand on the top or top step of a stepladder.
• Do not climb the rear braces of a stepladder unless the ladder is specifically designed for climbing on both sides.
• Follow all manufacturer’s labels and restrictions concerning the highest permitted standing level.

Extension and Access Ladders

When a portable ladder is used to access an upper landing:

• Extend the ladder side rails at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface, or secure the ladder at the top and provide a grasping device when the required extension is not possible.
• Secure the ladder to prevent displacement.
• Never stand above the manufacturer’s highest permitted standing level.

Electrical Hazards

Use ladders with nonconductive side rails where the worker or ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.

Maintain required clearances from overhead power lines. Never assume that a fiberglass ladder makes it safe to work within required electrical clearances.

Ladder Inspections

Ladders must be inspected periodically by a competent person and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use.

Before use, check for:

• Broken, cracked, bent, or missing rungs or steps.
• Damaged or split side rails.
• Defective locks, spreaders, ropes, pulleys, or hardware.
• Loose or missing components.
• Oil, grease, mud, or other slippery substances.
• Electrical damage or other deterioration.

Immediately remove defective ladders from service and clearly mark or tag them to prevent use until properly repaired or disposed of.

Single-rail ladders are prohibited.

Remember

Ladder safety depends on proper selection, inspection, setup, and use. Never improvise a ladder setup or allow experience, convenience, or a desire to save time to replace established safety requirements.