Ladders and Stairs

1
Ladders and Stairs
2
Hazards of ladders

• Falls
• Slips
• Reaching too far
• Weather

1a
3
Hazards of ladders

• Oil or grease on a ladder
• Not secure
• Contact with electricity
• Objects that fall from ladders

1b
4
Hazards of stairs

• Clutter
• Slippery surfaces
• Damage

1c
5
Hazards of stairs

• Poor lighting
• Unsafe work practices

1d
6
OSHA regulations

• General industry - 29 CFR 1910.24 through .27
• Construction 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X

3a
7
Terms used in general industry regulations

• Ladder
• Stepladder
• Type 1 - Industrial stepladder
• Type 2 - Commercial stepladder

4a
8
Terms used in general industry regulations

• Type 3 - Household stepladder
• Single ladder
• Extension ladder
• Fixed ladder

4b
9
Terms used in general industry regulations

• Individual-rung ladder
• Rail ladder
• Cage
• Well

4c
10
Terms used in general industry regulations

• Ladder safety device
• Grab bars
• Pitch

4d
11
Terms used in construction regulations

• Portable ladder
• Fixed ladder
• Individual-rung/step ladders
• Job-made ladder

4e
12
Terms used in construction regulations

• Single-cleat ladder
• Double cleat ladder
• Step stool

4f
13
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Materials used in the construction
• Length restrictions
• Spacing between rungs/steps
• Width between side rails

5a
14
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Non-skid
• Limits on overlap of sections on extension
  ladders
• Stepladder spreaders or locking devices

5b
15
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Materials used in the construction
• Length restrictions
• Spacing between rungs/steps
• Width between side rails

6a
16
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Non-skid
• Stepladder spreaders or locking devices
• Load-carrying capacities

6b
17
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Materials used in the construction
• Load limitations
• Rungs and cleats
• Spacing between rungs/steps

7a
18
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Length of rungs/steps
• Clearance around the ladder
• Use of cages, wells, landing platforms, ladder
  safety devices

7b
19
Portable ladder specifications for general
industry

• Grab bars
• Step-across distance to the landing
• Pitch or angle of the ladder

7c
20
Fixed ladder specifications for the construction
industry

• Load limitations
• Side rails
• Non-skid
• Clearance around the ladder

8a
21
Fixed ladder specifications for the construction
industry

• Use of cages, wells, ladder safety devices,
  self-retracting lifelines
• Grab bars
• Step-across distance to the landing

8b
22
Fixed ladder specifications for the construction
industry

• Pitch or angle of the ladder

8c
23
Safety devices for fixed ladders in construction

• Safety devices/support systems must be capable of
  withstanding a drop test consisting of an 18-inch
  drop of a 500-pound weight
• Safety device must be activated within 2 feet
  after a fall occurs

9a
24
Safety devices for fixed ladders in construction

• Safety device must limit the fall velocity of a
  worker to 7 feet/sec or less
• Connection between the carrier/lifeline and the
  point of attachment to the harness must not
  exceed 9 inches

9b
25
Safety devices for fixed ladders in construction

• Employees must be able to use the device leaving
  both hands free for climbing

9c
26
Ladder inspection

• Inspect ladders frequently
• Portable metal ladders must be inspected
  immediately if it tips over
• Construction ladders are inspected by a competent
  person

10a
27
Ladder inspection

• Follow manufacturers guidelines for inspection
• Include inspections in preventative maintenance
  schedules

10b
28
Precautions for safe ladder use

• Inspect the ladder for defects before using it
• Select a ladder with adequate length and load
  limits
• Do not use metal ladders near electrical lines

11a
29
Precautions for safe ladder use

• Use ladders for their intended purpose
• Set up the ladder on a firm, solid surface
• Keep ladders secured/barricaded

11b
30
Precautions for safe ladder use

• Keep areas around the top and bottom of the
  ladder clear
• Open stepladders fully, and lock the spreaders
• Set up straight ladders using the 4-to-1 rule

11c
31
Precautions for safe ladder use

• Face ladders when ascending/descending
• Use both hands to grip the side rails whenever
  possible
• Only one person on a ladder at a time

11d
32
Precautions for safe ladder use

• Dont stand on the top 2 steps of a stepladder
• Never move a portable ladder with someone on it

11e
33
Precautions for safe ladder use

• Hoist material up to you when youve reached the
  top of the ladder
• Work within the side rails
• Store ladders in designated areas

11f
34
Maintenance

• Remove ladders with structural defects,
  corrosion, or defective parts from service
• Tag ladders Do Not Use

12a
35
Maintenance

• Repair ladders to the original design
• Have qualified personnel make repairs

12b
36
Staying safe on stairs

• Eliminate slippery conditions
• Clean up spills
• Keep free of ice and snow
• Ensure proper lighting in stair areas

13a
37
Staying safe on stairs

• Use handrails
• Always walk up and down stairs - dont run

13b
38
Staying safe on stairs

• Make sure you can see over materials you are
  carrying on a stairway
• Report unsafe conditions

13c