Ladder Safety and Preventing Falls

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Ladder Safety and Preventing Falls

• Bob Emmerich
• Safe-Con, LLC
• 5714 Merlin St.
• Madison, WI 53711
• bobe_at_safeconllc.com

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Ladder Types

• Type I-A ladders are heavy-duty and can handle up
  to 300 lbs.
• Type I ladders can hold up to 250 lbs.
• Type II ladders can hold 225 lbs.
• Type III ladders are for light duty only and can
  hold up to 200 lbs.

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What Happened
An Accident

• A fiberglass A-frame ladder split halfway up the
  ridge of the leg rail, causing a worker on the
  ladder to fall to the rig floor.
• The employee injured his wrist.

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What Caused It

• An investigation showed the ladder appeared to be
  in good shape and not misused.
• It appeared to be a lighter shade than the other
  ladders on location, suggesting that it had been
  left out in the sun.
• When the ladder was standing alone, without
  weight on it, the split was extremely hard to
  see.

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Ladder Inspection

• Rungs must be intact and free from grease or oil.
  
• Make sure there are no splinters or sharp edges.
• See that metal ladders are not dented or bent.

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Ladder Inspection

• Safety feet should be in place.
• All support braces and bolts must be present and
  secure.
• On extension ladders, make sure rope is not torn
  or frayed.

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Ladder Inspection

• On stepladders, make sure the hinge spreader is
  working properly.

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Tag Defective Ladders

• These ladders are properly tagged Do Not Use

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Know the rules!
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Ladder Donts

• Do not use ladders that have been exposed to fire
  or corrosive chemicals.
• Do not use a ladder for unintended purposes, such
  as in place of scaffolding.
• Never allow more than one person on a ladder at a
  time.

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Read The Warning Labels

• They are there for a reason!

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Use of Step Ladders
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Use of Step Ladders

• Always set level.

• Be sure latches are down.

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Proper Ladder Climbing

• Use both hands to climb a ladder.
• Always face the ladder when climbing, descending
  or working.
• Avoid the top two steps of a stepladder and the
  top four rungs on other ladders.

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Dont Lean a Step Ladder

• The support leg (arrow) can contact the ground
  causing the step leg to kick out.
• Also employees should not work from the top or
  second step.

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Dont Lean!

• Avoid excessive stretching or leaning.
• Workers should never work with one leg on a
  ladder and one off.
• A slip could result in serious fall.

NO!
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Do Not Stand On The Top Step!!!
Obey The Labels!!
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Top Step!?!?!
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Safe Step Ladder Use

• Always face the ladder
• Stay off top two steps.

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Unsafe Step Ladder Use

• Do not straddle the top unless the ladder is
  designed for it.

NO!
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Working Above Protections

• When employees work above railings, they must be
  protected from falling over the railings.

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Working on Upper Levels
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Safe Step Ladder Use

• When working to the side, maintain balance.

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Self Supporting Ladder
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Use of Extension Ladders
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Set Feet Properly
Soft Base Set on the spikes and seat the ladder
in the ground.

• Firm Base
• Set both feet level and on the pads

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Not a Firm Foundation
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Proper Ladder Set

• Make sure the ladder's feet are parallel to the
  surface it rests against.
• Dont set ladders where they may be hit or
  dislodged.

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Set The Proper Angle

• The distance from the bottom of the ladder to the
  wall should be one-fourth of the ladder's working
  height.
• An extended arm will be close.

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1
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Check The Locks

• Always check to be sure the extension locks are
  properly seated.

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This Is A Poor Set Up

• The top could fall out with any slip at the base.
• The angle is too steep.

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Working From a Ladder

• Always face the ladder.
• Keep one hand on the ladder for hold.
• Do not work on top four steps.
• Work within easy reach.

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Ladder Access

• Many workers fall from ladders while accessing to
  another work area.

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Ladder Access
NO!

• These are a very poor and hazardous set ups!

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Extend Above Platform

• Access ladders must extend at least 3 feet above
  the landing platform.

3 feet
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Proper Access Ladders

• Ladders should be set at 1 horizontal to 4
  vertical.
• Ladders must be secured.
• Ladder access ways must be guarded.

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1
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Securing Ladders

• This ladder is tied with a rope to a horizontal
  girt.
• There is nothing to keep the rope from sliding on
  the girt allowing the ladder to move laterally.

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Ladders Near Electrical

• Use non-conductive ladders.
• Dont carry or move extension ladders while
  extended.
• Get help moving ladders to maintain control.

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Slips, Trips Falls

• The 1 cause of office employee injuries!
• 265,000 nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and
  falls annually result in one or more days away
  from work per incident
• Slips, trips, and falls result in 17 of all
  nonfatal workplace injuries per year, the highest
  injury rate of any regulated activity

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Fall Hazards

• Storage or placement of objects in aisles, below
  knee level, or on other office-type floor
  surfaces.
• Cords, ropes, hoses across floors and walkways
• Overflowing, heavy wastebaskets.
• Dust accumulations.
• Open drawers and doors
• Wet floors

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Aisles and Passageways

• Keep clear for material handling equipment
• Mark permanent aisles
• Heavy-traffic passage-ways must be equipped with
  pedestrian walkways

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Slips Trips

• It is also possible to injure your back slipping
  on a wet floor, ice, muddy ground, etc.
• Poor housekeeping is a common cause.

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Basic Safety STEPS

• Awareness.
• Keep aisles clear.
• Walk like a duck on slippery surfaces.
• Use the handrail on stairs.
• Hold onto chair seats/arms when attempting to
  sit.
• Sensible shoes.
• Wipe up spills.
• Walk, dont run.

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Use Stairs Safety

• Use handrails
• Walkdont run
• Inspect for slippery surfaces or damaged steps
• Do not put objects on steps
• Do not carry bulky objects on stairs

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Keep Walking and Working Surfaces Clear and Clean

• Keep workroom floors clean and dry
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area

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Eliminate Trip Hazards

• Pick up tools, materials, and trash
• Pick up or walk around obstructions
• Report dangerous walking and working surfaces
• Keep file drawers closed
• Keep power cords out of walkways

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Eliminate Slip Hazards

• Clean up liquids
• Sweep up debris and dust
• Stop and repair leaks
• Install absorbent around wet processes
• Use warning signs or cones

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Wear Slip-Resistant Shoes

• Street shoes not intended for slip resistance
• Soft rubber sole for slip resistance
• Sole tread with channels
• Still need to walk carefully

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Be Alert, Use Common Sense

• Be aware of the hazards
• Pay attention to where you are going
• Adjust your stride according to the walking
  surface
• Make wide turns at corners
• Dont block your vision when carrying items