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Ladder Use

Ladder Use. Climbing the Ladder to Safety. 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

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Ladder Use

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  1. Ladder Use Climbing the Ladder to Safety

  2. 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!

  3. 3 Main Sources of Ladder Accidents are: • Ladder (equipment) failure • Unexpected ladder movement • User loss of footing or balance

  4. Reasons for Ladder Failure: • Improper selection & use • Deterioration due to improper care & storage • Exposure to damaging agents • chemicals • heat

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

  6. Preventing Ladder Failure Proper Selection • Read and follow all manufacturer's instructions • Don't choose a step ladder when an extension ladder is needed • Don’t 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

  7. 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

  8. Preventing Ladder Failure Appropriate Use • Keep to its intended purpose • Don’t stand on the back cross bracing • Don’t use an extension ladder as a horizontal platform (scaffold) • Don’t allow more than one worker on the ladder at a time • Don’t 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

  9. 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.

  10. Preventing Ladder Movement • Situate ladders only on firm, level ground - not in mud, in water, or on an incline • Ensure that the extension ladder’s base is at a minimum distance from vertical that is at least 1/4 of the ladder’s working height • Ensure an extension ladder reaches at least 3 feet above the landing

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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!

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Thank you for your cooperation!

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