Ladder Safety

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Ladder Safety

• University Safety and Assurances
• 229-6339
• www.safety.uwm.edu

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Choosing Right Equipment -- Ladder or Scaffold?
Ladder
Scaffold

• Will the job take only a short amount of time?
• Does work require side-to-side movement?
• Does the work require using tools with both hands?

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Types of Ladders

• Max 30
• Max 20
• Max 60
• Combined lengths of section not longer than
  specified for equivalent non-sectional types
• Max 30
• Max 20
• Max 20
• Max 40

• Straight Ladder
• Step Ladder
• Extension Ladder
• Sectional Ladder
• Trestle Ladder
• Trolley Ladder
• Side Rolling
• Masons Ladder

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Duty Ratings

• Type IAA Special-duty -- 375 lbs
• Type IA Extra heavy-duty -- 300 lbs
• Type I Heavy-duty -- 250 lbs
• Type II Medium-Duty -- 225 lbs (not recommended
  at UWM)
• Type III Light-Duty -- 200 lbs (not allowed at
  UWM)

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Load Limits

• Select a ladder designed to hold the necessary
  load, including worker and equipment
• Do not assume that a longer ladder has a higher
  duty rating. There is no relationship between
  length and duty rating.
• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  requires that a duty rating sticker be placed on
  the side of every ladder so users can determine
  if they have the correct type ladder for each
  task/job.

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Advantages/Disadvantages

• Fiberglass
• Strong, lightweight, electrically non-conductive
• More expensive than wood or metal

Fiberglass Ladder
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Advantages/Disadvantages

• Metal
• Must not be used when working on or near
  electrical wires
• lightweight

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Advantages/Disadvantages

• Wood
• Heavier than aluminum or fiberglass
• Can rot
• Electrically non-conductive

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Fixed Ladders
Prior to ascending or descending a fixed ladder,
examine connections to assure that ladder is
properly secured
Fixed ladders are located in the Fine Arts
Complex -- Theatre and Recital Hall
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Ladder Safety Checklist

• Check for damage prior to using
• Make sure feet are not broken or malfunctioning
  and that the slip-resistant pads are secure.
• Inspect for cracks, bends splits on the side
  rails, rungs steps.
• Make sure both rung locks are working properly.
• Test the rope pulley. Examine rope for any
  signs of fraying. Make sure the pulley is
  operating smoothly.
• Ensure all bolts and rivets are secure.
• Make sure ladder is free of foreign materials
  such as oil grease.
• Make sure the spreader braces are secure
  working properly.
• Aluminum or steel ladders should be inspected for
  rough burrs and sharp edges.

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Immediately remove ladder from service if
inspection finds

• Broken or missing steps, rungs or cleats
• Broken or damaged side rails
• Other faulty equipment such as missing feet,
  damaged connections, broken rivets

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Ladder Set-Up

• Always place ladders on a stable surface
• Clear debris
• Level uneven ground

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Ladder Set-Up

• Always assure secure footing
• Keep ladder free from mud, grease and other
  substances which could cause you to slip
• Keep area around ladder free from traffic.

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Ladder Set-Up

• Always lock or guard door if ladder blocks doorway

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Ladder Set-Up

• Base of straight ladder should be 1 foot away
  from the surface for every 4 feet to the top
• (14)

4 feet
1 foot
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Ladder Set-Up

• Dont place ladder on boxes, barrels or other
  unstable surfaces to extend height

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Extension Ladders

• Always raise extension ladders so that the upper
  section overlaps and rests on the bottom section.
• The upper section must always overlap on the
  climbing side of the extension ladder.

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Extension Ladder Overlap

• Extension Ladders should have the proper overlap
• Three foot overlap for 32-foot ladder
• Four foot overlap for 32- to 36-foot ladder
• Five foot overlap for 36- to 48-foot ladder
• Six foot overlap for 48-foot ladder

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Straight Ladder

• If a straight ladder is used to climb onto an
  elevated work station, it will extend at least 3
  1/2 feet above the working level.

This ladder is not sufficiently extended
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Safe Ladder Use

• Face the ladder when ascending or descending
• Both hands should be placed on ladder rails, not
  on rungs, when ascending and descending
• Maintain 3 point contact at all times -- This
  means both feet and one hand or one foot and both
  hands

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Safe Ladder Use

• Use extra caution while climbing in windy weather

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Safe Ladder Use

• Always climb completely past the landing before
  stepping over

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont walk a ladder (rocking from side to side
  to move)
• Dont use a stepladder as a straight ladder

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont carry tools in your hands. (A tool pouch
  or belt should be used or tools should be hoisted
  up)
• Dont overreach to either side or lean too far
  forward or backward

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont use a ladder without locking spreader or
  other device in place

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont climb using bracing on back legs of step
  ladder
• Dont attempt to straighten or use a bent ladder
  made of metal or reinforced plastic--repairs
  should be made by qualified personnel

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont Climb using two highest steps or top of
  platform

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont use a defective ladder
• Dont block a fire exit
• Dont use a ladder as a platform
• Dont use a ladder by more than one person

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Safe Ladder Use

• Dont use a ladder if you are feeling dizzy,
  light-headed, are excessively tired, on
  medication, have recently consumed alcohol or are
  otherwise temporarily impaired.

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Ascending and Descending

• Always face ladder when ascending, descending and
  performing work

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Safe Ladder Use

• Keep between the side rails when working --your
  body should be centered on the ladder so your
  belt buckle is between the side rails

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Ladder Storage

• Store ladders for easy access and inspection.
• Store vertically if possible. If not possible,
  store horizontally supporting ladder at several
  points to avoid sagging
• Protect ladder from heat, weather and corrosive
  materials

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Ladder Storage

• Do not leave ladders where they may create a
  tripping or fall hazard for others

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Lifting and Carrying

• Lift ladder using legs muscles, not back
• Carry holding ladder close to body

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Lifting and Carrying

• When carrying ladder
• Balance center of ladder on your shoulder
• Position so front end of ladder is above your
  head and back end is near the ground

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Lifting and Carrying
When ascending and descending stairs, carry
ladder with one hand and hold stair rail with the
other hand
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Lifting and Carrying

• Set ladder down when opening and closing doors
• Take special care when negotiating corners or
  turning around

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Lifting and Carrying

• When it is necessary for two people to carry a
  ladder, both should be on the same side of ladder
  and both people should walk in step.
• Spikes, hooks or ladder feet should face toward
  the rear when ladder is being carried

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Whats Wrong in this Picture?
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Whats Wrong in this Picture?

• Climb only as high as the 2nd tread from the top
  on a step ladder and the 3rd rung from the top on
  a straight ladder.

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Whats Wrong in this Picture?

• Do not sit on the ladder and never sit or stand
  on the top cap of a step ladder it is not
  designed to carry your weight.

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Whats Wrong in This Picture?
Ladder should be opened fully and locking
mechanism engaged prior to ascending