Ladder and Stairway Safety

1
Ladder and Stairway Safety

• DFCI EHS

2
Ladder selection

• Type IA 300 Pound Construction areas
• Type I 250 Pound Industry light
  construction
• Type II 225 Pound Commercial ladder for light
  maintenance office use
• Type III 200 Pound Household use

3
Ladder Inspection

• Loose steps or rungs (considered loose if they
  can be moved at all with the hand)?
• Loose nails, screws, bolts, or other metal parts?
• Cracked, spilt, or broken uprights, braces, or
  rungs?
• Slivers on uprights, rungs, or steps?
• Damaged, worn or missing non-slip bases?
• Wobbly (from side strain)?
• Loose or bent hinge spreaders?
• Stop on hinge spreaders broken?
• Loose hinges?
• Broken, split, or worn steps?

4
Ladder Safety- What this Guy Should Know

• Keep tools in a tool belt.
• Any heavy or bulky items should be brought
• up only after you have reached the top.
• Make sure the ladder's feet are parallel to
• the surface it rests against.
• Use both hands to climb a ladder. Remem-
• ber the "3-Point Rule" At least two hands
• and one foot, or two feet and one hand, should
• be in contact with the ladder at all times.
• Avoid excessive stretching or leaning.
• Always face the ladder when climbing,
• descending or working.
• Do not use a ladder for unintended purposes,
• such as in place of scaffolding.
• Never allow more than one person on a
• ladder at a time.

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Safety Rules - or- Gravity is a Harsh Mistress

• Do not try reaching so far that you lose your
• balance move the ladder.
• Non-skid feet or spurs may prevent a ladder
• from slipping on a hard, smooth surface.
• Do not stand on the ladder's top three rungs.
• The ladder should reach a minimum of three
• feet above the "point of support.
• Keep your body between the side rails of
• the ladder. This reduces the chance of tipping it
  
• over and/or falling off.

6
The 1-to-4 Rule

• The base should be spaced 1 foot away for
• every 4 feet it reaches up.
• Extension ladders need both locks in place to
• prevent overloading a rail.
• Step ladders should be securely spread open.
• Electrical shock can occur with metal or wet
• wooden ladders. Not only is the shock itself
• dangerous, but it can cause falls resulting in
• injury.

7
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
?