According to OSHA, falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination, and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Accidents occur frequently in both construction and general industry.
Accidents can be serious, and frequently involve numerous lost workdays and high workers’ compensation costs. Some accidents are fatal.
Train your workers to be aware of the most common reasons for ladder accidents, which include:
- Lack of ladder safety training
- Use of defective ladders (failure to properly inspect)
- Failure to select the right ladder for the job
- Improper set up
- Failure to secure ladders
- Overreaching
Warn them about the most common injuries from ladder accidents, which include:
- Fractures
- Back, neck, and head injuries
- Sprains
- Bruises
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
In some cases, injured employees may be out of work for weeks. Some suffer permanent partial disability that may affect their ability to perform their normal job.
Clearly, training employees to select, inspect, and use ladders safely is in everyone’s best interests.
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Selection
According to BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer, ladders should be:
- Tall enough to reach the necessary height
- Rated to handle the combined weight of the worker and equipment (ladders rated I-A hold 300 pounds, ladders rated I hold 250 pounds, ladders rated II hold 225 pounds, and ladders rated III hold 200 pounds, although these are usually not used in the workplace)
- Safe for the conditions (for example, a metal ladder shouldn’t be selected for work around electricity)
Inspection
Ladders must be inspected visually before each use. Employees have to be trained to know what to look for. For example, a ladder that’s safe to use should have:
- No missing parts
- Firmly attached slip-resistant steps, rungs, or cleats free of grease or oil
- Tight support braces, bolts, screws, and spreaders
- Lubricated metal parts
- Safety feet
- Rope in good condition (not worn or frayed)
- No splinters or sharp edges
- No dents or bent parts in metal ladders
Employees should be instructed not to use a ladder that has any missing or broken parts, or is defective in any other way. Explain the proper procedure for tagging and removing defective ladders from service.
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Ladders should be set up properly on a firm, level surface. Extension ladders should be positioned using the 4 to 1 rule (base of ladder 1 foot from the wall for every 4 feet in height). Extension ladders should be properly secured top and bottom to prevent them slipping and falling while a worker is climbing or working on the ladder.
When climbing and working on ladders, 7-Minute Safety Trainer says employees should be trained to:
- Wear shoes with clean, nonskid, non-leather soles
- Allow only one person at a time on a ladder
- Climb up and down facing the ladder and holding both side rails
- Carry tools on a belt or rope or hoist
- Work with one hand on the ladder
- Avoid standing on the top two stepladder steps or top four ladder rungs
- Move slowly and cautiously on a ladder
- Avoid moving a ladder while on it
- Center the body on the ladder so that the belt buckle is between the side rails
Transport and Storage
Long ladders should be carried with another person when possible. If a worker has to carry a ladder alone, the center of the ladder should be balanced on the shoulder, keeping the front end above the head and the back end near the ground.
Ladders should be stored in a dry, ventilated area that is kept at a moderate temperature. Ladders should be stored standing up, if possible. If they must lie down, train employees to support both ends and the middle to prevent sagging or warping. Instruct workers to avoid placing anything on a stored ladder, or the ladder will warp.
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll highlight additional ladder safety precautions that employees often overlook plus–explore a great resource for quick and effective safety training.