Portable Ladders Fixed ladders Duckboards

Ladder Safety - IntroductionLadders are important and essential tools that are used widely in a variety of industries.They help us move up and down and work at different heights.Portable ladders, in particular, are useful tools because they can be readily moved or carried.They are simply built and come in many sizes, shapes, and styles.

2Ladder SafetyLadders need to be inspected as follows:

WHEN THE LADDER IS:DO THE FOLLOWING:First placed into service and periodically while in service

Inspect the ladder for visible defects, including, but not limited to: -Working parts and -Rung or step connections to the side railsDamaged by impact or tips overVisually inspect the ladder for dents, bends, cracks or splitsRung or step connection to the side railsHardware connectionsRivets for shear damageAll other componentsLadder SafetyLadders need to be inspected as follows:Exposed to excessiveHeat such as a fireVisually inspect the ladder for damageTest for deflection and strength characteristicsUsing the in-service use tests contained in the appropriate ANSIExemption:Job-made laddersPortable Ladders Use/AbuseAlthough they are easy to use, they are often misused or abused, causing serious injuries and deaths. These deaths and injuries could have been significantly reduced or eliminated with proper care and use.

At least one of these per year, is a fatality.Varieties of LaddersTo prevent injuries while using portable ladders, you need to know what kinds of ladders there are and how to use them properly.There are various types, shapes, and sizes of ladders to help you accomplish your tasks.Portable Ladders

Extension Ladder 2 person job

Two Way Step Ladder

Platform LadderOrchard LadderCombination Ladder

Self-Supporting LaddersPortable self-supporting ladders can stand up on their own.Standard stepladders have a front section with steps for climbing and a back section with two rear legs, which give them their stability.They must be set up on firm, level surfacessuch as floors, platforms, and slabs.

Self-Supporting LaddersThe standard stepladder is non-adjustable and has flat steps and a hinged back.It must have a metal spreader or locking device strong enough to securely hold the front and back sections in the open position.The back section is cross-braced and you must not use it for climbing. Non Self-SupportingNon-self-supporting ladders must be leaned against a stable structure strong enough to support the weight of the ladder, user, tools, and materials being used by the worker on the ladder.They are intended for use by only one worker at a time. Commonly used non-self-supporting ladders include single ladders and extension ladders.

Non Self Supporting Single ladders are nonadjustable and must never be tied or fastened together to form a longer ladder. Sectional ladders, which consist of two or more sections, are designed to be combined together to function as a single ladder

Portable Ladders - FallsYou don't have to fall far to get hurt.Workers injured in falls from ladders are usually less than 10 feet above the ladder's base of support.

Reasons for FallsWhy do people fall from ladders if they are so easy to use?

Setting up on an unstable or slippery base surface is a primary reason ladders fall over.Falls involve portable ladders that move, tilt, or shift while a worker is climbing, descending, or performing a task.

Standing on the top two rungs, which explicitly has a warning label DANGER, do not do!

More Reasons for Fallsimproperly getting onto or off of the ladder

loss of balance

setting up the ladder improperly

overreaching by the user

miss stepping or a slipping of the foot while climbing or descending

More Reasons for FallsBeing bumped by a Cart or other object

Having a vehicle run into or bump you.

People not paying attention to where they're walking.

Ladder Safety - PreventionMake sure the ladder is not placed on ice, snow, or other slippery surface unless the ladder is prevented from accidental displacement by:Securing itProviding the ladder with slip-resistant feet

Make sure ladders are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional heightLadder Safety - PreventionProtect ladders that are setup in a location where they could be displaced by workplace activities or traffic by either:Securing the ladder to prevent accidental displacementUsing a barricade to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladderLadder Safety - PreventionProtect ladders that are set-up in front of doors that open towards the ladder by doing at least one of the following:Block the door openLock the doorGuard the door to keep it from opening into the ladderLadder Safety - PreventionClimbing and descending:Have both hands free to hold on to the ladder, or at least one hand.Face the ladder when climbing or descendingKeep ladders free from oil, grease, or other slippery materialsKeep the area around the top and bottom of ladders clear.Remove all items from ladder before moving itMake sure single-rail ladders are not usedLadder Safety Composition/Materials

Fiberglass Aluminum/Metal WoodBesides having different ratings or load capacities, ladders may be constructed of various kinds of materials.Each material has specific care, maintenance, and storage requirements and may be preferred for specific uses, or under certain conditions.Types of CompositionWOOD

Stabilitybetter because it is heavier

Durabilityless wears out faster

Strength to Weight Ratiogood

Weather Resistancenot as good

Conductivitynon-conductive when clean and dry

Types of CompositionFIBERGLASSStabilityless because it is lighter

Durability better material lasts longer

Strength to Weight Ratiohigh

Weather Resistancebetter (not same conditions as wood)

Conductivitynon-conductive when clean and dry(PREFERRED)

Types of CompositionALUMINUM

Stabilityless lightest of all

Durabilitybetter

Strength to Weight Ratiohigh

Weather Resistancebetter

Conductivityconductive do NOT use near exposed electrical sources/in a storm

Composition - Aluminum Electrocution Hazard This Ladder Conducts Electricity Do Not Use Around Electrical Equipment or other equivalent wording

Do not use a metal ladder when working around energy sources.Metal ladders must be labeled with a DANGER warning sticker indicating: What NOT to do:

Wood, metal, and fiberglass ladders may also have some specific construction requirements.

Metal or Fiberglass must have slip or skid-resistant feet AND steps or rungs that are corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or treated to minimize possible slipping

For example:

Warning labelsManufactured ladders have warning markings and labels, such as "CAUTION" and "DANGER," which are usually in red or yellow.They often also have"SAFETY" labels which give information on how to use the ladders safely.

What NOT to do:

Fixed Ladder

Fixed LadderAfixed ladderis a verticalladdermounted permanently to astructure. These ladders are primarily used to accessroofsor other structures for industrial purposes. Distance betweet rungs not more than 12 inches and uniform.

Minimun rung length is 16 inches.

Back clearance minimum is 7 inches. This dimension is the most frequently violated,according to frequency of OSHA citation.

OSHA fixed ladder criteria;

Dock Boardsa movable often metal plate for bridging the gap between a motor truck or freight car and a loading platform

DockboardSlipping or tripping on wet, oily, or broken floor surfaces.

Falling off dock edges

Injuries from falls or unsecured dock plates

Injuries resulting from unchocked trailer wheelsDuckboard is not strong enough to carry a load

Hazards include: