Safe Use Of Ladders At Workplace

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SAFETY TALK 

SAFE USE OF LADDERS

Every year numbers of death / serious injuries' are occurring in the construction industry due to people falling off ladders, most of these deaths could have been prevented if a few basic safety rules had been carried out.

 

1         Do we need a ladder, can we possibly use a scaffold or other suitable access instead? Working from a ladder must be considered as a last resort.

2         Have we got the right ladder for the job?

3         Is it in good condition?

4         How is the ladder to be secured?

5         If a harness has to be used, can it be secured to a solid object?

 These are the Basic Safety Requirements for the safe use of ladders.

1. The use of ladders is for short duration only; they are not to be used instead of a scaffold. They are only to be used if a scaffold or other suitable access can not be provided.
2. The ladder must be of adjacent height. Too long and the operative will not reach. Too short and you have the same problem.
3. Ladders on construction sites take a lot of punishment, it should be checked prior to use every time. Look for cracks, breaks and general condition. Do not use domestic type ladders. Ensure that the ladder is capable of doing the job.
4. Ladders must be secured; they can be lashed, footed, or wedged to prevent them slipping.
5. If an operative has to work at a height of two meters or more, he must be protected to prevent him from falling. If the work is to be done off a ladder then he must wear a safety harness, and secure it to a solid object above waist height.
6. When working with electrical apparatus, wooden ladders only will be used.

REMEMBER WORKING FROM A LADDER IS A LAST RESORT

• Never use an unsound ladder.
• Be sure the ladder is set on a firm level base.
• Have a person foot the base or lash the top.
• Make sure the ladder reaches at least 3ft 6ins (1.070m) above the landing platforms.
• The correct pitch of a ladder is 1 in 4
• Use the right ladder for the right job; Never lash two short ladders to make a longer one
• Do not carry loads on ladders use a hoist line
• Do not lean sideways from a ladder. It is safer to move the ladder.
• Always maintain a 3-point contact when on a ladder.
• Inspect ladders before use and regularly when stored

 Ladders

1. All ladders must be in good condition or taken out of service and repaired.
2. Wooden folding ladders must not have any cracks, splinters or broken rungs. Metal folding ladders must be free from bends and cracks.
3. All ladders must have safety feet to help prevent the ladder from slipping while being used.
4. Extension ladders must be secured or tied at the top of the ladder to prevent tipping. If tying the extension ladder is not possible then a second person must hold the ladder while anyone climbs or works form the ladder.
5. Fibreglass or wood ladders must be used for access to perform electrical work. Metal ladders shall not be used around power lines, for access to transformers, etc.
6. Ladders should never be painted. Paint can spoil ladders when react with its material also it may cover cracks or splinters which may make the ladder unsafe.
7. Never stand on the top step of a ladder while working. Work may be performed no higher than the second rung from the top of the ladder.
8. When using an extension ladder for access to a roof, pipe rack, etc., the top of the ladder must extend a minimum of 1 metre above the point where work will be done.

STEP LADDERS

As with ladders, their use as a working platform can only be considered as a last resort, and where other suitable access cannot be reasonably provided. 

Before using a step ladder check the condition of:

• Treads
• Stiles
• Hinge arrangement
• Restraining rope/ bracket between legs

Damaged step ladders must be taken out of use and either destroyed or returned to the supplier

 

WORKING FROM STEP LADDERS

1. Firm level base
2. Type of operation – can a mobile platform or other suitable access be used instead?
3. Work from no further than two thirds up step ladders (handhold required). As a guide, the top rung of the stepladder must be no higher than your waist level.
4. Boards not to be slung between treads on steps to provide working platform. (Treads not designed for this loading; a one board wide platform is not a safe working place).
5. When working with electrical apparatus, wooden ladders only will be used.

WHY DO PEOPLE FALL FROM LADDERS?

As per recent study on fall from fixed and portable ladders, 

• Cases where the ladder slipped. 
• Cases where the ladder remained stable. 
• Cases where there was a structural defect in the ladder or its anchorage, 
• Cases where the ladder was struck by a vehicle.

The dominating factors where ladders remained stable were: -

• Foot slipped on rung.
• While carrying tools or materials.
• Missed steps while footing
• Obstruction partway or materials
• lost grip
• Struck by falling material.
• Overbalanced
• Jumped off to avoid other hazards.
• Overreached.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THE RISK?

• See that the ladder cannot slip.
• Ensure that the ladders are tied near the top.
• Keep rungs and footwear clean.
• Use both hands when climbing or descending.
• Ladders stacked, to prevent slipping to sideways and outwards.
• Set ladders at correct angle.(75%)
• Extend the ladder 1 meter above the platform.
• Always check the ladders before and after use, report any defects immediately.
• Never use a make shift ladder.
• Don’t use ladders with cracked or broken rungs or other defects.
• Don’t overreach from a ladder- always moves it.
• Don’t stand a ladder on a drum or box, or other unsteady base.
• Never overload a ladder, or support it on bottom rungs on a plank.
• Don’t use ladders that are too short.
• Don’t obstruct the access onto or off a ladder by leaving materials/rubbish at the top/bottom.

Ladder use on Site

High level of non-compliancy when working using ladders at job sites and which leads to fatalities.:- 

• Ladders must extend sufficiently beyond working platforms to allow for safe access/egress.
• Ladders must not be painted (this hides defects), should be stored correctly, and be subject to regular inspection.
• Never take serviceability for granted, always carry out a visual check prior to use. Report any defects immediately.
• Never carry out homemade repairs on a ladder, never use a ladder with existing homemade repairs, and never use a homemade ladder!
• Always stand ladders on a firm base. Never use milk crates, oil drums, etc., to gain extra height, and if ground is soft use suitable support.
• Consider staking at bottom.
• Never use rungs as a support for planks, or rest rungs on planks.
• Remove excessive mud, grease, etc., from footwear prior to climbing/descending a ladder.
• Always use both hands to climb/descend, and face the ladder.
• Do not carry loads up ladders – use hoists or alternatives.
• Never over-reach from ladders – get down and move them.
• Avoid using metal ladders against metal surfaces – the reduced friction makes them more liable to slipping.
• Beware of overhead obstructions, especially overhead power lines (metal ladders/metal reinforcements).
• Ladders are essentially a means of access/egress and should only be used as working platforms for very short duration tasks, where alternative platforms would be impracticable, and where such tasks can be carried out safely using a ladder.
• Only industrial class ladders should be used, which are in good condition (no missing/broken rungs, split stiles, etc).
• Ladders must be suitable angled (1 unit out for every 4 units up) and suitably secured (preferably tied off at the top using both stiles to prevent both sideways slip and rotation).

Proper use of Portable Ladders

1. Laddersmustbe visually inspected prior to their use. The user is responsible for the inspection. Ensure that safety feet are in place and that there are no rungs lost or loose, and no damages that could cause personal injury. Use a ladder that has a safety feet.
2. Choose the right length ladder. It should be long enough so that you can work standing not above the 4 rung from top. You should not stand on a ladder with your knees extending above the top rung and never use the top rung. Do not over reach from a ladder. If your buckle reaches past the uprights, you’ve gone too far. Move the ladder.
3. Defective ladders must be immediatelyremovedfrom service and promptly tagged not to use.
4. Stepladders are positioned on firm and level surface when used.
5. Straight and extension ladders are held by a second person during the initial ascend until top of the ladder is firmly secured for subsequent climbs. Make sure nobody bumps into it.
6. Keep both hands free of tools and other items as you need both hands to climb. Wear a tool belt or pull materials to you after reach the top. Face the ladder while ascending or descending. 
7. Ladders are placed to allowa minimum 1:4 ratio between horizontal and vertical. It should be placed one rung length out from the wall for every 4 rungs where the ladder touches the wall.
8. Make sure that ladder is supported on a firm and strong structure, and not on any pipes or conduits. The uprights of a ladder should be vertical. Shore upif the ground is uneven.

In an incident, a worker placed a ladder leaning against a conduit. While climbing up, the conduit broke. He lost balance and fell down and got injured.

Subsequently, a chain of events occurred. The wires inside the conduit were damaged, causing a short circuit. UPS power to the unit was lost. Unit tripped causing production loss and process upsets.

“Your ladder is one of your most important tool.Use it safely and wisely"

Point to note : DO YOU KNOW HOW TO USE A LADDER CORRECTLY