In my years of doing site inspections, I’ve seen all kinds of ladder violations: people working too high on ladders, leaning A-frame ladders against the wall, extension ladders being tied off or several feet above a landing. All of these are violations of OSHA regulations.
Our last post told you about OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, a voluntary event that takes place from June 2 to 6 — and encourages you to time out of your day to talk directly to employees about fall hazards. Today, we’ll look at one of the most common reasons workers fall: poor ladder safety.
Falls from ladders account for a third of all construction-site falls. It doesn’t matter what kind of ladder you use, every one of them can put your workers at risk if not used properly.
In most cases, people know they’re not supposed to do these things but do them anyway to save time or to fit into a tight spot. Don’t do it; it’s not worth the risk. Here’s what you can do to make your ladders safe for your workers.
1. Choose the right ladder for the job. Is the ladder tall enough? What is its weight capacity? OSHA safety requirements state that extension ladders, or portable ladders, must be able to support at least four times their maximum intended load. Remember that the load includes not only the worker’s body weight but also the weight of the materials he is handling.
Extension ladders, which usually have two sections that slide to allow for adjustable lengths, must extend at least 3’ from the top of a landing to provide a handhold for getting on and off the ladder. Ladder heights should be 9’ to 11’ longer than the height you need to reach to allow for the ladder to be positioned at the proper angle against the wall or support.
Step-ladders — also known as A-frame or self-supporting ladders — should be no more than 4’ shorter than the height you need to reach. Workers should never stand on the top two rungs or steps of a ladder because they could lose their balance. An A-frame ladder should never be used in a closed position or leaned against a wall.
Obviously, any ladder that is visibly damaged should not be used. Make sure, in fact, that you remove it from the construction site.
2. Consider your set up and placement. OSHA requires that any ladder that is not self-supporting — for example, an extension ladder — is to be positioned so that its base is a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface. Extension ladders must be leaned against a stable structure that can withstand the intended load. Whatever you do, do not place ladders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
Here are some other set-up do’s and don’ts:
- Step-ladders must have a metal spreader or locking device to hold the front and back sections in an open position when in use.
- When two or more ladders are used to reach a work area, they must be offset with a landing or platform between the ladders.
- Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections, unless they are specifically designed for such use.
3. Make sure a ladder is the best equipment for the job. Lastly, consider whether a ladder is, in fact, the safest choice for your needs. A safe alternative to using ladders is to use scaffolding or aerial lifts if OSHA requirements and safety practices are followed. For more on scaffolding safety, stay tuned — we will discuss it in-depth in an upcoming post.
Need help making your workplace safer? At Diversified Safety Services, LLC, we offer a wide range of occupational safety training courses. To find out how we can help, contact us today.
