Working with Ladders, Step-ladders and Step-Stools

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Chapter : Ladder Safety 

Ladder Safety Training and its Essentials

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Chapter : Ladder Safety 

LS :- Improve Ladder Safety

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety 

Improve Ladder Safety

As per the data for recent year, it was found that work-related ladder falls caused number of deaths, about several  injuries that resulted in at least one day away from work, and many serious injuries
treated in hospital emergency departments.

According to the findings, the workers at greatest risk were men, older employees, Hispanics, and those working in construction, extraction (including mining), installation, maintenance, and repair.

The Good News?

The most injuries caused by ladder falls can be prevented, if the employers, safety experts, and healthcare professionals to work together to make safe ladder use training available to people on and off the job. They also called for more research into ladder-fall prevention.

In the meantime, they say a few simple steps can keep your workers from scary and disabling falls:

• Find ways to complete most of the work needed on the ground, without use of ladders.
• Provide workers with alternatives to ladders, such as aerial lifts or supported scaffolds.
• Most sure ladders are thoroughly inspected, have appropriate safety accessories, and are well matched to a worker's weight, task, and location.
• Provide on-the-job ladder safety training and information.

Compliance Quick Check

Here's what your employees should DO to be safe when working on ladders:

• Maintain 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing or descending a ladder.
• Face the ladder when climbing up or descending.
• Keep the body inside the side rails.
• Use extra care when getting on or off the ladder at the top or bottom. Avoid tipping the ladder over sideways or causing the ladder base to slide out.
• Carry tools in a tool belt or raise tools up using a hand line. Never carry tools in your hands while climbing up or down a ladder.
• Extend the top of the ladder three feet above the landing.
• Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.

Here's what your employees should NOT DO:

• Place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or unstable bases.
• Use a ladder on soft ground or unstable footing.
• Exceed the ladder’s maximum load rating.
• Tie two ladders together to make them longer.
• Ignore nearby overhead power lines.
• Move or shift a ladder with a person or equipment on the ladder.
• Lean out beyond the ladder's side rails.
• Use an extension ladder horizontally like a platform.

LS :- Proper Use & Access of Portable Ladders

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety 

Proper use of Portable Ladders

1. Ladders must be 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 4th 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 immediately removed from 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 allow a 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 up if 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.

Proper Access To Ladders

Ladders are one of the biggest hazards of overhead work and result in many accidents. The worker on the ladder is exposed to the risk of a fall, and other workers could slip or trip on the ladder or tools and materials left at the access point.

Take these precautions to protect yourself and your co-workers when using ladders to access upper levels:

1. Always select a ladder that is the correct length to safely reach the working height.
2. Position ladders so that the base of the ladder is one foot away from the wail for every four feet of ladder height.
3. Do not tie ladders together to create longer sections.
4. When using a ladder to access elevations, make sure that it extends
5. Three feet above the landing surface for ease in mounting and dismounting. If this is not possible, secure the ladder and use a grasping device such as a grab rail to assist in mounting and dismounting the ladder.
6. Position the ladder so that both feet are resting on a stable, level surface and that both rails are resting evenly against a solid, secure surface. Secure the ladder to prevent movement.
7. Keep ail access points to ladders clear of tools, materials or debris.
8. When using ladders near doors, equipment travel paths or similar areas make sure the area is blocked off to prevent the ladder from being struck or dislodged. Secure straight ladders in place prior to use

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

LS :- Ladder 3 Point Contact

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Chapter : Ladder safety

Ladders- 3 Point Contact

Explain dangers

Climbing a ladder is not as easy as it  sounds. Many workers have been injured getting on or off a ladder. Workers have died from falls after losing their balance.

Identify controls

To use ladders safely, always maintain three points of contact. That means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times.

• Put both hands firmly on the rungs before stepping onto a ladder.
• Break 3-point contact only when you reach the ground or a stable platform.
• Always face the ladder when you’re climbing up and down.
• Keep your body between the side rails. Don’t lean out on either side.
• Make sure that the ladder extends at least 900 millimetres (90 centimetres or 3 feet) above the top landing.
• There must be a clear space of at least 150 millimetres (6 inches) behind each rung.
• Moving quickly often results in only 2-point contact. You often have to make a conscious effort to maintain 3-point contact.
• Don’t carry tools, equipment, or material in your hands while climbing. Use a tool belt for small tools and a hoist line or gin wheel for lifting and lowering larger items.
• Clean mud, snow, and other slippery substances off your boots before climbing.

Ladder - Climbing
 
Every year many fatalities & injuries are getting reported due to falls on stairways and ladders used at work place and Home. 

Therefore, When using ladders, be mindful and follow these basic safety rules:

1. Make sure rungs and steps are clear of grease, oil, dirt, snow, or ice before climbing.
2. Clean muddy or slippery boot soles before climbing a ladder.
3. Always face a ladder when climbing up or down.
4. Follow the three-point rule: keep at least both feet and one hand or both hands and one foot on the ladder at all times.
5. Keep your body centered between the side rails of the ladder so you don't tip over the ladder. A good rule is to always keep your belt buckle inside the rails of a ladder.
6. Avoid carrying materials or tools when climbing a ladder. Carry tools up or down in a belt or hoist them in a bag or bucket.
7. Never stand on the top two steps of a stepladder and the top four rungs on other Ladders.
8. Inspect the ladder before climbing to make sure it is in good shape. Report all defects to your supervisor.
9. Do not use any ladder that is defective.

LS :- Ladder Built and Safe Usage

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety 

Job Built- Ladder

A Job-made ladder is a ladder that is fabricated by employees, typically at the construction site. Job-built ladders must conform to certain standards to ensure safety of the user. While job-built ladders can provide safer solutions than using makeshift arrangements for access, they must be used with care.

Safety Videos

Here are some tips to help ensure safety when using job-built ladders:

1. Do not load ladders beyond the maximum intended load for which they were built.
2. Allow only one person at a time on a single-width ladder and no more than two people on a double width ladder, each on a separate side.
3. As with all ladders, set job-built ladders on a level, solid surface.
4. Keep ladders from passageways, doorways, or driveways where they could be bumped or damaged by adjacent activities, unless the ladder area is barricaded.
5. Always secure the ladder at the top and whenever possible, secure or stake the bottom too.
6. Job built ladders should be inspected on a regular basis.
7. When using a job-built ladder be sure to remove rungs which are over the upper level.

Metal Ladders

Ladders can be hazardous when used incorrectly, metal ladders pose additional risks, particularly when working around electricity.

Work safely with metal ladders by taking these steps:

1. Inspect the ladder before using to ensure that it free of sharp edges dents, and bent steps, rungs, or rails. If the ladder is defective, remove it from service.
2. Do not attempt to straighten a bent metal ladder.
3. Make sure metal ladders have slip-resistant rubber or plastic feet.
4. Keep rungs free of slippery material (grease, oil, paint, snow ice etc.).
5. DO NOT use metal ladders around electrical equipment. Keep at least 10 feet away. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
6. If you or the ladder could contact exposed, energized equipment, use a ladder with non-conductive side-rails.
7. When working from a metal ladder, use only double-insulated or properly rounded electrical tools.

Ladder Warning Labels

Improper use of ladders can lead to serious injury as a result of falls, and in some cases electrocution. Warning labels provide information on hazards and instruction for safe use, plus they describe ladder weight and height limits that help you choose the proper ladder for the job.

1. Always read and follow warning labels on ladders.
2. Choose the right ladder for the job.
3. Do not choose a ladder with height or weight limits that are less than you need to perform the job.
4. Follow instructions for safe use.
5. Do not remove labels.
6. If labels have become worn or damage, replace them if possible.
7. Remove ladder from service if unsure of suitable condition and usability

USE LADDERS SAFELY

Safety Videos

Ladders are most commonly used in construction sites as well as houses for repair work. Using them in an improper manner can be dangerous. Accidental falls from ladders are known to have caused serious injuries and at times proved fatal. Most of these falls occur because safety precautions are generally ignored while using ladders.
 
To avoid fall, here are some tips:

• Choose properly designed ladder for the required job. Place it on a firm, even ground before climbing on it. Make sure it is strong enough to support your weight.
• Inspect the ladder carefully before using it.
• Make sure ladder's rungs are clean, intact and secure.
• Do not place the ladder in front of a door or in the passage where people are continuously moving.
• Always maintain three-point contact by keeping both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand on the ladder at all times.
• Always keep your face towards the ladder. Don’t lean from the side. Keep yourself centered within the side rails.
• Never climb past the third rung from the top on a straight ladder. Make sure that straight ladders have slip resistant feet.
• Never carry tools or equipment in your hands while climbing up or down. Use a tool belt or tool pouch to carry these items.
• Always use a wooden ladder when working on or near electrical equipment.
• Make sure that some one is holding the ladder properly at the bottom.

               Don’t take chances! Inspect the ladder thoroughly before using it

 

 Visit for Safety Videos:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChREXvbLQ3fPxOLKflPRj_g

 

LS :- Inspection, Maintenance and Care

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety 

Ladder Inspection, Maintenance and Care

Using a damaged ladder doesn’t make sense. You need to inspect ladders before using them. Ladders with defective parts must be removed from service, red-tagged, and reported to your supervisor immediately. Proper care, maintenance and handling of ladders will help ensure your personal safety and reduce wear and tear.
 
Ladder inspections:  

Before using a ladder:

• Make sure to use the right ladder for the task.
• Check the rails for cracks, holes or deformities. If a ladder has a crack or hole, remove it from service.
• Check for missing or broken rivets.
• Make sure all working parts move properly and the connections are secure.
• Carefully check spreaders, extension ladder locks, flippers and the “safety feet.”

Maintenance and care:

• Keep ladders free of oil and other slippery materials.
• Lightly lubricate moving parts.
• Tag broken ladders and take them out of service. Only a qualified person can repair ladders. Ladders that cannot be repaired should be destroyed and discarded.

Transporting a Ladder:

• Ask for help when carrying a ladder that is heavy, long or awkward.
• When carrying a long ladder, keep the front end elevated, especially around blind corners, in aisles and through doorways.
• Do not toss or drop ladders into truck or trailers.
• Make sure to secure ladders to truck or trailer and drive slowly over rough terrain to avoid damaging the ladder.

Ladder Storage:

When storing ladders:

• Make sure the ladder is easily accessible and there is adequate room for removal and inspection.
• Never store a ladder where it could fall and hurt someone or become a tripping hazard.
• If stored horizontally, support longer ladders at several points to avoid sagging.
• Always store step ladders vertically.
• Always store fiberglass ladders inside, or out of direct sunlight.
• Store all ladders away from sources of heat, moisture or corrosive materials.

Ladders are great tools when used properly. Take time to inspect, maintain, transport, use and store ladders safely.

LS :- Different Types of Ladders

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety 

Different Types Of Ladders 

Step Ladder 

All kinds of ladders are used every day on the job. One of the most common is the step ladder. Construction would be impossible without ladders. 

Stepladders can be a quick and easy way to extend your reach however, every time you use a stepladder there is a risk for permanent injury or death. Those hazards can be greatly reduced by following good safety practices.

Using a stepladder safely is not as simple as most of us would believe. Depending on the work to be accomplished and the work environment, there will be other unique safety hazards to be considered for each ladder setup. A little forward planning, an inspection of the ladder, and survey of the work area is a good start to ensure a safe work experience using a stepladder.

Fixed Ladders

A fixed ladder is a ladder permanently attached to a structure, building or equipment. Fixed ladders pose hazards including slippery surfaces, unsure footing, and structural damage. 

Take these precautions when using fixed ladders:

1. Check rungs to ensure that they're free of splinters, sharp edges, burrs or projections that may create a hazard. Reports ail defects promptly.
2. Clean muddy or slippery boot soles before mounting a fixed ladder, or any ladder.
3. When climbing fixed ladders on towers, tanks, or chimneys, use appropriate ladder safety devices as instructed. A ladder safety device is an appliance that will arrest the fall of an individual working at elevated heights.
4. Wait until the other person has exited the ladder before ascending or descending.
5. When climbing fixed ladders, follow the same basic rules as with portable ladders.
6. Take advantage of landing platforms to rest when climbing or descending from heights.

Extension Ladders

Each year several workers are killed by falls from ladders. Falls from extension ladders can be particularly dangerous because people are usually working at greater heights. 

Follow these safety tips when using extension ladders:

1. When choosing an extension ladder, keep in mind that the length of a ladder is different from its usable length. The height these ladders can safely reach is reduced by the angle at which the ladder must be set up.
2. Position an extension ladders so that the base of the ladder is one foot away from the wall for every four feet of ladder height. This ratio is important because if the angle is too steep, you can fall backward. If the angle is too horizontal, the ladder can slip out from under you.
3. Make sure that both feet are on stable and level surfaces, and that both rails are resting evenly on the resting spot. Secure ladders to prevent accidental movement.
4. Make sure side rails are at least three feet above the landing point, or that an adequate grab rail is provided.
5. After you set up an extension ladder, lock the top section in place.
6. If using multi-section ladders, make sure sections overlap — by at least 3 feet for ladders up to 32 feet, by 4 feet for ladders 32 feet to 48 feet, and by 5 feet for ladders 48 feet to 60 feet.
7. When working from an extension ladder, consider using a fall protection system attached to a secure anchor point on the building, especially if doing work that involves pushing, pulling, or prying

 

LS :- Check the ladder for defects or damage

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety 

Check the ladder for defects or damage

1. At the start of your shift
2. After it has been used somewhere else by other workers
3. After it has been left in one place for a long time.

Let’s talk about hazards and precautions with step ladders.[Use a step ladder to demonstrate the following points in your talk.]

Eliminate the Common Hazards by:

• Inspect the ladder before each use and do not use if damaged.
• Make sure the ladder rungs are clean and not slippery and that you are wearing slip resistant shoes.
• Keep the area at the base of the ladder clear.
• Make sure the ladder is fully open and the center spreader is locked.The spreader arms lock securely in the open position.
• Always open the ladder fully before using it. Don’t use an unopened step ladder as a straight or extension ladder. The feet are not designed for this use.
• Make sure the ladder is set up on a non-slippery, level, and stable surface.
• Make sure the ladder is tall enough and rated for the work to be performed.
• Never use a stepladder to access another elevation because they are not designed for top or side exit or entry.
• Never lean a stepladder because the feet are designed to be stable only in a fully open position.
• Never use a metal stepladder near power lines or electrical equipment.
• Never straddle the top of a stepladder or stand on the top two steps.or the pail shelf of a step ladder.
• Never straddle the space between a step ladder and another point.
• When standing on the ladder, avoid leaning forward, backward, or to either side.
• Provide barricades if ladder must be set up in a vehicle or pedestrian traffic area.
• When climbing up or down a step ladder, always face the ladder and maintain 3-point contact.
• Maintain a 3-point contact when climbing ladders and keep your weight and shoulders between the rails.
• Never stand on higher than the second step from the top.

LS : Ladder Safety

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Chapter :- Ladder Safety