Ladder Safety

Each year, more than 511,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors' offices, clinics and other medical settings because they failed to use ladders safely.

Ladder violations including lack of training documentation, improper use, and defective or wrong type of ladder is #8 of OSHA’s top ten citations.

Choose the Correct Ladder

3 Considerations….

Height: is the ladder tall enough? (hint 8 ft ladder = 5’8’’)

Performance: is the weight capacity rating enough to support the employee and materials???

Material: is the ladder wood, fiberglass or aluminum? Is the ladder to be used to work on energized equipment?

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WISHA RegulationsWISHA Regulations

General industry - WAC 296-800-290General industry - WAC 296-800-290Construction - WAC 296-155-Part JConstruction - WAC 296-155-Part J

Type 1AA Industrial Special Duty Use - 375 Pounds Type 1AA Industrial Special Duty Use - 375 Pounds Type 1A Industrial Extra Heavy Use - 300PoundsType 1A Industrial Extra Heavy Use - 300Pounds Type 1 - Industrial Heavy Use - 250 Pounds Type 1 - Industrial Heavy Use - 250 Pounds Type 2 - Commercial Medium Use - 225 PoundsType 2 - Commercial Medium Use - 225 Pounds Type 3 - Household Light Use - 200 Pounds Type 3 - Household Light Use - 200 Pounds

(Type 3 NOT allowed to be used in schools)(Type 3 NOT allowed to be used in schools)(Unlabeled ladders not permitted in any workplace)(Unlabeled ladders not permitted in any workplace)

Check the load capacity of the ladder

Check also for OSHA approval

Ladder inspectionLadder inspection

Inspect ladders frequentlyInspect ladders frequently -- Before each use-- Before each use -- Document thorough inspection monthly-- Document thorough inspection monthly

Portable metal ladder must be inspected immediately if Portable metal ladder must be inspected immediately if it tips overit tips over

Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for inspectionFollow manufacturer’s guidelines for inspection

Document inspections and preventative maintenance Document inspections and preventative maintenance schedulesschedules

Read, understand and follow ALL warning stickers

Ladder Supports must always be in the locked-down position before climbing the ladder

DO NOT Use Aluminum Ladders DO NOT Use Aluminum Ladders Near Power SourcesNear Power Sources

Avoid use when working on any energized Avoid use when working on any energized sourcesource

Stay away from overhead linesStay away from overhead lines

Precautions for safe ladder usePrecautions for safe ladder use

Use ladders for their intended purposeUse ladders for their intended purpose

Set up the ladder on a firm, solid surfaceSet up the ladder on a firm, solid surface

Keep ladders secured/barricadedKeep ladders secured/barricaded

Precautions for safe ladder usePrecautions for safe ladder use

Face ladders when Face ladders when ascending/descendingascending/descending

Keep ladder rungs and Keep ladder rungs and boots cleanboots clean

Avoid leaning or Avoid leaning or over reachingover reaching

Precautions for safe ladder usePrecautions for safe ladder use

Hoist material up to you Hoist material up to you when you’ve reached the when you’ve reached the top of the laddertop of the ladder

Work within the side rails Work within the side rails - “Belt-Buckle Rule”- “Belt-Buckle Rule”

Store ladders in Store ladders in designated areasdesignated areas

Leaning, over-reaching, belt buckle ruleLeaning, over-reaching, belt buckle rule

MaintenanceMaintenance

Remove ladders with structural defects, Remove ladders with structural defects, corrosion, or defective parts from servicecorrosion, or defective parts from service

Red-Tag ladders Red-Tag ladders “Do Not Use”“Do Not Use”

Never Stand On the Top Step!

Never Stand On the Step Below the Top Step!

Never climb up the back side of a folding ladder, unless the ladder is designed for such use

Never Overreach

Make sure that the locking mechanisms are engaged before you climb the ladder

Both hands must be free when climbing a ladder.

Ladders must be stabilized and extend at least 3 feet above the roof edge.

Bad SituationsBad Situations

Key PointsKey Points

Use proper ladderUse proper ladder

3-point contact3-point contact when climbing or when climbing or

descendingdescending 4 to 1 rule4 to 1 rule Belt buckle ruleBelt buckle rule

Questions?Questions? Don EbertDon Ebert

NEWESD 101Risk NEWESD 101Risk ManagerManager

789-3517 / 981-7798789-3517 / 981-7798