Ladders

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Ladders Stairways Safety
Protecting the Safety Health of Hispanic
Workers www.hispanicsworksafe.org
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After completing this unit, you will

• Have an understanding of the hazards and injuries
  associated with ladders stairways at a
  construction site
• Know about safe ladder placement use
• Be able to identify the basic steps in inspecting
  and maintaining ladders
• Be able to identify safe requirements for
  stairways (e.g. rails, landings and platforms)

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How many workers die due to ladder-related falls?
In 1998, of the 702 fatalities recorded in the
census, 111 were the result of falling from a
ladder
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Ladder-related falls
Most workers injured in falls from ladders are
less than 10 feet above the ladders base.
Most falls involve portable ladders that move,
tilt or shift while the worker is climbing or
descending.
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Access to the work level
If there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48
cm) or more, there must be a ladder or a stairway
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Ladder Hazards Injuries

• Ladders not secured
• Defective ladders
• Ladders within 10 feet of power lines
• Fixed ladders without fall protection

Most deaths from falls off ladders happen from
10 feet (3 mt.) or lower
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Safe Ladder Use
Keep the area around the top and bottom of a
ladder clean
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Safe Ladder Use
Use ladders only for their designed purpose
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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont tie ladders together to make longer
  sections, unless designed for such use
• Dont use single rail ladders
• Dont load ladders beyond the maximum load for
  which they were built, nor beyond the
  manufacturers rated capacity

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Securing Ladders
Secure ladders to prevent accidental movement due
to workplace activity
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Securing Ladders
Only use ladders on stable and level surfaces,
unless secured
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Securing Ladders
Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless
secured or provided with slip-resistant feet
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Securing Ladders
What do you think?
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Portable Ladders

• Inspect before use for cracks, dents, and missing
  rungs
• Design or treat rungs to minimize slipping
• Side rails -- at least 11 1/2 inches apart

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Portable Ladders
Must support 4 times the maximum load!
If you weigh 80 kg (175 lbs) the maximum load
(capacity) for the portable ladder should be 80
x 4 320 kg (700 lbs. approx.)
80kg (175 lbs)
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Ladder Placement
The 41 Angle
Non-self-supporting ladders (leaning against a
wall or other support)
Position at an angle where the horizontal
distance from the top support to the foot of the
ladder is 1/4 the working length (D) of the ladder
working length
horizontal distance
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The 41 Angle
Ladder Placement
Other way to verify a proper angle
Source OR-OSHA PESO 31 - PORTABLE LADDERS
Place the base of non-self supporting ladders out
away from the wall or edge of the upper level one
foot for every four feet of vertical height
(14).
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Ladder Rail Extension
When using a portable ladder for access to an
upper landing surface, the side rails must extend
at least 3 feet (91 cm) above the upper landing
surface
3 ft. (91 cm)
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Near Energized Electrical Equipment
If using ladders where the worker or the ladder
could contact exposed energized electrical
equipment, they must have nonconductive siderails
such as wood or fiberglass
What do you think?
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Stepladder Top Step
Do not use the top or top step of a stepladder as
a step
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Stepladder Top Step

• Stepladders cannot be used leaned against a
  vertical wall, they must be opened and used as
  intended

Use ONLY as intended by the manufacturer!
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Right Or Wrong?
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Crossbracing
Dont use cross-bracing on the rear of a
stepladder for climbing unless the ladder is
designed for that
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Damaged or Defective Ladders

• A competent person must inspect ladders for
  visible defects (e.g. broken or missing rungs)
• Withdraw defective ladders from service until
  repaired

If a defective ladder is found, immediately mark
it defective or tag it "Do Not Use
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Climbing the Ladder

• Face the ladder when going up or down
• Maintain 3-point contact
• Cannot work off ladder unless 3-point contact is
  maintained

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Do not carry any object or load that could cause
you to lose balance
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Safe Ladder Use Training
To ensure worker safety, all workers required to
use a ladder in the workplace must be trained
before they are permitted to use a ladder on the
job
It is not enough to know how to set up and use a
ladder properly, you should also understand
maximum load capacities and rules for the safe
placement, use and care of ladders
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And remember
Your boss must train you in proper and safe use
of a ladder
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Stairways Safety
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Hazards

• Stairways cause many injuries construction
  workers
• About half the injuries caused by slips, trips
  and falls from stairways require time off the job
• Slippery conditions must be eliminated prior to
  use

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Access to the work level
If there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48
cm) or more, there must be a ladder or a stairway
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Handrails
Stairways with four or more risers, or higher
than 30 inches (76cm) must be equipped with at
least one handrail
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Stairrails
The stairrail should be placed along each
unprotected side or edge.
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Handrail and Top Rail Strength
Rails must be able to withstand a force of 200
pounds! (440kg)
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Stairway Landings

• Stairways landings must be at least
• 30 inches (76cm) deep
• 22 inches (56cm) wide
• At every 12 feet (3.7mt) or less of vertical rise

Landing
Unprotected sides of landings must have standard
42 inch (107cm) guardrail systems
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Platforms and Swing Doors
Where doors or gates open directly on a stairway,
provide a platform that extends at least 20
inches (50 cm.) beyond the swing of the door.
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Dangerous Conditions
Fix slippery conditions before using!
And remember Housekeeping is critical!
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And dont forget!
Our families need us!
Everyday, they expect us to return home safe and
healthy.
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Questions?
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Training Evaluation
What did you like about this training?
What suggestions do you have for changes?
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Acknowledgements
This training program was developed by
Hispanics Work Safewww.hispanicsworksafe.org
How to contact us? Maria Julia
Brunette Department of Work Environment
University of Massachusetts LowellOne
University Ave., Lowell, MA 01854Phone
978-934-3248 Fax [phone]Email
Maria_Brunette_at_uml.edu
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Acknowledgements
This training program was funded by grants
from Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
This material was produced under grant number
46A3-HT15 from the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.  It
does not necessarily reflect the views or
policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
does mention of trade names, commercial products,
or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
Government.