ladder safety

Introduction

The purpose of this training is to provide

information on the safe use ladders at UNC.

This training program will cover information

about Ladder Requirements under OSHA 29

CFR 1910.24 - .27 and 1926.1050-1060.

OUTLINE

• General Information

• Types of Ladders– Portable Ladders

• Step Ladder

• Extension Ladder

– Fixed Ladders

• Ladder Selection

• Proper Use

• Ladder Inspection

• Ladder Setup

• Climbing and Standing on a Ladder

• Care and Storage

• Do’s and don’ts of ladder safety

• Final Points

• Conclusion

• Additional Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

Employees working on or around ladders should pay close attention to proper use of a ladder. By following the items outline in this training program, you will avoid any potential hazard and facilitate safe usage.

In accordance with OSHA, employers must provide a stairway or ladder:

At all worker access points when there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (1 ft. 7 in.) or more and there is no ramp, runway, embankment, or personnel hoist available.

The area must be kept clear of obstacles to allow for free passage by workers when there is only one point of access available between levels.

• If the passage becomes restricted/blocked, employers must provide a second point of access and ensure that employees use it.

When there are two or more access points, the employer must ensure that at least one access point stays clear of any obstructions.

TYPES OF LADDERS

Stepladder &

Portable Ladder Extension Ladder &

Portable Ladder

Fixed Ladder

There are a variety of ladders that can be found throughout the

UNC-CH campus: Stepladders, extension ladders, and fixed

ladders. These ladders can range in a variety of sizes, shapes, and

have different mechanisms that allow them to function properly. This

training will go over these types of ladders and the safe use of them.

Step Ladders

Step ladders are used when performing temporary general operations and maintenance. When using the step ladder, please be sure to do the following:

• Do not use the top step or the top of a stepladder as a step for any reason.

• Only use the front side of the ladder for climbing unless the ladder is designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections.

• Metal spreader or locking devices must be provided on stepladders to hold the front and back sections in an open position when the ladder is in use.

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Extension Ladders

When using an extension ladder, the sections of the

extension ladder should overlap enough to retain the

strength of the ladder.

Use the following table as a guide:

Length of Ladder Required Overlap

Up to 36 ft. 3 ft.

Over 36 to 48 ft. 4 ft.

Over 48 to 60 ft. 5 ft.

Extension

Ladder

Section 1

Section 2

Overlap

Portable laddersWhen using the portable ladder, the minimum clear distance between side rails must be 11.5 inches. If they are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder must have side rails that extend at least 3 rungs/3 feet above the upper landing surface.

When this is not possible, the ladder must be secured, and a grasping device such as a grab rail must be provided to assist workers in mounting and dismounting the ladder.

The ladder extension must not deflect under a load that would cause the ladder to slip off its supports.

3 feet or

3 rungsLadder

Landing

Surface

The rungs and steps on the Portable Ladder must be manufactured (ex. Corrugated, dimpled) or coated/treated with a skid-resistant material to minimize slipping.

Non-self-supporting and self-supporting portable ladders must support a minimum of 4 times the maximum intended load.

Example: If the maximum intended load of the ladder is 250 lbs. then the ladder should be able to support a minimum of 1000 lbs.)

Extra heavy-duty type 1A metal or plastic ladders must sustain 3.3 times the maximum intended load.

(ex. If the maximum intended load of the ladder is 250 lbs. then the ladder should be able to support a minimum of 825 lbs.)

Do not put more weight on a ladder than the maximum intended load recommends.

Fixed Ladders

If the climb on a fixed ladder is equal to or exceeds 24 feet then the ladder must be equipped with a ladder safety device, self-retracting lifelines and rest platforms at intervals not to exceed 150 feet, or a cage or well and multiple ladder sections with each ladder section not to exceed 50 feet in length.

Rest Platform

Cage/Well

Rest Platform

Cage/Well

LADDER SELECTION

Be sure the ladder being used has the proper duty rating to carry the combined weight of the user and the material being installed.

A ladder's duty rating tells you its maximum weight capacity. There are four categories of duty ratings:

Type Description

Type IA These ladders have a duty rating of 300 pounds.

Type IA ladders are recommended for extra-

heavy-duty industrial use.

Type I These ladders have a duty rating of 250 pounds.

Type I ladders are manufactured for heavy-duty

use.

Type II These ladders have a duty rating of 225 pounds.

Type II ladders are approved for medium-duty

use.

Type III These ladders have a duty rating of 200 pounds.

Type III ladders are rated for light-duty use.

**Type IA and Type I ladders are the only acceptable ladders on a construction

jobsite.

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.

PROPER USE

Employees should follow these general guidelines to facilitate the avoidance of a potential incident.

• Never stand on the two top rungs of a straight or extension ladder.

• Never splice or tie two short ladders together to make a long section.

• Top support for a ladder is as important as good footing. The top should rest evenly against a flat, firm surface. If a ladder is to be leaned against roof gutters, the strength and stability of the gutters should first be tested.

• If possible, the base of a long ladder should be secured to the ground and the top should be tied to the upper landing surface.

Rebecca: Animate

• Do not try to move a ladder while you are on it by rocking, “walking”, or pushing it away from a supporting wall.

• Allow only one person at a time on a ladder unless the ladder is specifically designed for two people.

• Never use a ladder as a horizontal platform, plank, scaffold or material hoist.

• Never use a ladder on a scaffold platform.

• Wear PPE accordingly to the job being performed and rubber-soled shoes to prevent slipping on rungs of the ladder.

Rebecca: Animate

To avoid electrical currents, never use metal ladders around exposed electrical wiring. Use a fiberglass ladder instead.

If the overhead power line is 50 kV or less, then stay at least 10 feet away. For everything else, keep at least 35 feet away.

– Use only non-conductive side rails around live electrical equipment.

When using a ladder where there is pedestrian

traffic, erect warning signs or barricades to guide

traffic away from the foot of the ladder. If this is not

possible, have someone hold and guard the

bottom of the ladder.

Do not leave tools or materials on top of ladders

unattended at any time. They may accidentally fall

and hit a pedestrian or another employee.

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LADDER INSPECTION

Employee should always check the ladder before using it. Inspect the following:

Inspect wood ladders for cracks and splits in the wood.

Check all ladders to see that steps or rungs are tight and secure.

Be sure that all hardware and fittings are properly and securely attached.

Test movable parts to see that they operate without binding or without too much free play.

Inspect metal and fiberglass ladders for bends and breaks.

Never use a damaged ladder. Tag it out as being "Defective" and report it to your supervisor so that it may be removed from the job.

Items that would render a ladder as being damaged include:

• broken or missing rungs.

• Broken or missing cleats or steps.

• Broken or split rails.

• Corroded components.

• Other faulty or defective components.

Before the ladder can be placed back into commission it must be restored to a condition that meets its original design criteria.

SETUP

Be sure ladder feet are placed firmly and evenly on the ground or floor. Make sure the ladder is standing straight and secure before climbing it. If one side is lower than the other build up the surface with firm material so that the ladder is even.

• Do not try to make a ladder reach farther by setting it on unstable bases (ex. Boxes, bricks, blocks, etc.).

• Do not allow ladders to lean sideways. Always level the ladder before using.

• Brace the foot of the ladder with stakes or place stout boards against the feet if there is any danger of slipping.

• Never set up a ladder in front of a door unless the door is locked or a guard is posted.

• Do not use ladders on ice or snow unless absolutely necessary. If they must be used on ice or snow, use spike or spur-type safety shoes on the ladder feet and be sure they are gripping properly before climbing.

• Use Safety shoes on ladder feet whenever there is any possibility of slipping.

• Barricade traffic areas in vicinity of ladder use. Lock, barricade or guard doorways in which a ladder is placed. (Rebecca – Dos)

The proper angle for a non-self-supporting ladder is

about 75 degrees above horizontal. This means that the

base should be set out one-fourth of the ladder's height to

its top support point. For example, if a ladder is to be

supported at a point 20 feet off the ground, its base

should be set 5 feet out from the wall (20 feet divided by

4= 5 feet). An easy way to measure this, if the ladder top

will rest against the wall, is to pace off the length of the

ladder or count the rungs, and divide by four to get the

proper distance form the wall for placing the foot of the

ladder.

20 ft.

5 ft.

Ladder

Landing

Surface

If ladders are set up at a steeper angle than 75 degrees above horizontal they are more likely to tip backward in use. As a minimum they must be tied off at the top to prevent this form happening.

If ladders are set up at an angle less than 75 degrees above horizontal they are more likely to slide out from the bottom. Safety ladder shoes or base tying is a must in this case.

The distance from the foot of a ladder to the wall should never be more than one-half the height to the support point, an angle of about 63 degrees above horizontal. Otherwise, more strain will be put on the side rails than they are designed to carry.

Rebecca: Animated picture

CLIMBING AND STANDING

• Always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder. (ex. One hand and two feet or two hands and one foot)

• Keep the steps and rungs of ladders free of grease, oil, wet paint, mud, snow, ice, paper and other slippery materials. Also clean such debris off your shoes before climbing a ladder.

• Always face a ladder when climbing up or down. Use both hands and maintain a secure grip on the rails or rungs.

• Never carry heavy or bulky loads up a ladder. Carry tools in pouches around waist, and use a rope to raise or lower large items such as tool boxes and other materials.

• Climb and stand on a ladder with your feet in the center of the steps or rungs.

• Do not overreach from a ladder, or lean too far to one side. A good rule is to always keep your belt buckle inside the rails of a ladder. Work as far as you can reach comfortably and safely, then move the ladder to a new position.

• Never climb onto a ladder from the side, from above the top or from one ladder to another.

• Never slide down a ladder.

Rebecca: Animated picture

CARE AND STORAGE

• Maintain ladders so they are kept in good condition.

• Keep all ladder accessories, especially safety shoes, in good condition.

• Wood ladders, which are to be used outside, should be treated to prevent weather damage. A clear finish or transparent penetrating preservative should be used. (ex. Linseed oil)

– An oil treatment also helps to rustproof the metal parts of a wood ladder.

• Never paint a wood ladder. Painting the ladder may cover, hide, or fill in any dangerous cracks that may be present.

• Never sit on ladder side rails.

• Metal or fiberglass ladders which have been exposed to fire or strong chemicals should be decommissioned from use and discarded.

• Never store materials on a ladder.

• Store wood ladders where they will not be exposed to excessive heat or dampness. Store fiberglass ladders where they will not be exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet light sources.

• Be sure that ladders are properly supported and secured when in transit. Vibration and bumping against other objects can damage them.

• Store ladders on racks, which give them proper support when not in use.

DO’S & DON’T’S WHEN

WORKING WITH LADDERS

Don’ts of ladder safety:

• Do not - Never use a stepladder over 20 feet long.

• Do not -Never substitute makeshift devices of wire or rope for stepladder spreaders.

• Do not stand higher than the second step from the top of a stepladder.

• Do not stand or sit on the top cap, stand on the pail shelf, or on the back of a stepladder.

• Do not straddle the front and back of a stepladder.

• Do not stand on cross bracing.

Do’s of ladder safety

• Do - Always open a stepladder completely and make sure the spreader is locked open before using the ladder.

• Do - Keep area around the top and bottom of ladder clear.

• Do - Carry ladders parallel to the ground.

• Do - Tie ladders down securely when transporting.

• Do - Use ladders only for the purpose for which it was designed to be used. (Refer to ladder manufacturer's labeling and recommendations).

Rebecca: Animated picture

FINAL POINTS

Employees working on a ladder should always wear proper footwear. Always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder. (Rebecca Picture)

Remember, portable, fixed, and extension ladders should be placed so that it reaches 3 rungs/3 feet above the platform.

Always use proper judgment when using any type of ladder. If you feel that you are working with an unsafe or the work you are doing with the ladder is unsafe report it to your supervisor so that the issue can be corrected immediately.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• OSHA Ladder Safety E-Tool

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/falls/4ladders.html

• OSHA Stairways and Ladders: A Guide to OSHA Rules

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3124.pdf

• OSHA Construction Safety & Health Outreach Program

https://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/construction/

• CDC/NIOSH: Electrical Safety

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/electrical/

CONCLUSION

If you have any questions regarding this

training, other trainings, or any

environmental, health, and safety concern,

please contact EHS at (919) 962-5507.

Questions regarding this training may be

directed towards Workplace Safety at (919)

962-5507. In order to receive credit for this

training, you much complete the post test on

the following page.