Ladder Use

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Ladder Use

• Climbing the Ladder to Safety

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Ladder Accidents

• Over 25,000 work-related accidents each year
• Many result in severe injuries or death
• Most common injuries include sprains, cuts,
  bruises, head injuries, broken bones
• Annual cost of compensation and medical treatment
  reaches into the millions of dollars
• Indirect costs (worker replacement, retraining,
  and loss of productivity) can be up to 4 times
  as much!

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3 Main Sources of Ladder Accidents are

• Ladder (equipment) failure
• Unexpected ladder movement
• User loss of footing or balance

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Reasons for Ladder Failure

• Improper selection use
• Deterioration due to improper care storage
• Exposure to damaging agents
• chemicals
• heat

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Preventing Ladder Failure
General prevention techniques include
a. Proper Selection
b. Adequate Inspection
c. Appropriate Use
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Preventing Ladder Failure
Proper Selection

• Read and follow all manufacturer's instructions
• Don't choose a step ladder when an extension
  ladder is needed
• Dont use a ladder with obvious structural
  defects
• Use only wooden or fiberglass ladders near
  electrical service or power lines
• Attach a single point support where both rails
  fail to contact (against columns, poles or
  corners)
• Check ladder capacity

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Preventing Ladder Failure
Adequate Inspection

• Look for damaged or loose rungs or side rails
• Note any broken or bent hardware
• Check the condition of extension ladder ropes and
  pulleys
• Ensure that ladder footings are firmly attached
  and tread is intact
• Tag a defective ladder out of service report
  it immediately
• If broken, worn, or damaged beyond repair,
  destroy the ladder

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Preventing Ladder Failure
Appropriate Use

• Keep to its intended purpose
• Dont stand on the back cross bracing
• Dont use an extension ladder as a horizontal
  platform (scaffold)
• Dont allow more than one worker on the ladder at
  a time
• Dont load the ladder beyond its maximum intended
  load
• Protect ladder base from traffic if used in
  front of a door, make sure door is locked or
  guarded

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Unexpected Ladder Movement
WHY?
When ladders move unexpectedly, it is almost
always because of improper placement either on
inappropriate surfaces or at an improper angle.

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Preventing Ladder Movement

• Situate ladders only on firm, level ground - not
  in mud, in water, or on an incline

• Ensure that the extension ladders base is at a
  minimum distance from vertical that is at least
  1/4 of the ladders working height
• Ensure an extension ladder reaches at least 3
  feet above the landing

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Preventing Ladder Movement

• Ensure that all ladders are equipped with
  slip-resistant footings or shoes

• Fully open stepladders and lock the spreader -
  all feet should contact a level supporting
  structure

• Do not place the round ends of an extension
  ladder downward
• Do not take apart extension ladders or use single
  sections individually

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Preventing Ladder Movement
Ladders move when they are not properly tied
off.

• When using an extension ladder, always
• Tie it off
• Brace it at the bottom
• Secure extension rope to lower
• section as back-up for lock assembly

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Loss of Footing or Balance
Ladder accidents can occur when the user loses
footing (slips) or loses balance

• Chief causes include
• Improper ladder preparation
• Wet shoes
• Carrying materials while climbing
• Overreaching while on the ladder
• Inattention to the job

When ladder users ignore proper operating
procedures or simply fail to employ good common
sense, the results can be disastrous!
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Preventing Loss of Footing/Balance
To reduce your risk of a fall, follow these
guidelines

• Clean any wet or slippery rungs before use
• Wear slip-resistant shoes
• Always face the ladder
• Keep eyes on the ladder and pay attention to hand
  and foot placement

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Preventing Loss of Footing/Balance
To reduce your risk of a fall, follow these
guidelines

• Lift equipment materials with a rope don't
  carry in your hand
• Carry smaller tools in pouches around the waist
• Always maintain 3 points of contact (2 feet/1
  hand, or 2 hands/1 foot)

• Do not overreach.  Keep belt buckle positioned
  between the side rails

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Preventing Loss of Footing/Balance
To reduce your risk of a fall, follow these
guidelines

• Never stand on the top two steps of any ladder
• Do not move, shift, or extend the ladder while
  standing on it

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FINALLY, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT YOU
AVOID ALL CONTACT WITH POWER LINES!!

• IF YOU MUST PERFORM ELEVATED WORK NEAR ANY
  OVERHEAD LINES
• USE A NON-CONDUCTIVE LADDER (FIBERGLASS)
• CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR
• WALK THROUGH THE PROCEDURE BEFORE STARTING THE JOB

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Thank you for your cooperation!