By: Chou Lor, Safety Coordinator

Ladder Safety

Ladder Safety

Training Objectives:Know Ladder Safety Know Scaffold SafetyKnow Excavation Safety

Ladder SafetyOSHA 29 CFR 1910.25-27

Ladder Selection

Ladder Inspection

Ladder Set-up

Ladders Safety

Ladder Maintenance and Storage

Ladder Selection-Material

Fiberglass: Nonconductive, which makes it a good choice when working around electricity. It is also corrosion resistant and ideal for outdoor use.Aluminum: Lightweight, but not for use when contact with electricity is possible. It is easy to maneuver when frequent handling is required.Wood: Nonconductive, which makes it a good choice for working around electricity. It is an economical choice for heavy maintenance and construction.

Ladder Selection-Size

Stepladders – No more than 20 feet highLadder Size Maximum Standing Height

4 feet 2 feet

6 feet 4 feet

8 feet 6 feet

10 feet 8 feet

12 feet 10 feet

Avoid standing on top two (2) steps

Ladder Selection-Size

Extension Ladders - No more than 60 feetNormal Length Overlap required

Up to and including 36 3 feet

Over 36, up to and including 48 4 feet

Over 48, up to 60 5 feet

Maximum working height – Avoid using the top four (4) rungs

Ladder Inspection

Rungs must be intact and clean, especially free from grease and oil.

Make sure there are no splinters or sharp edges.

See that metal ladders are not dented or bent.

Make sure the hinge spreader works properly.

All support braces and bolts must be secure.

Ensure rope is not frayed or badly worn on extension ladders.

Safety feet and auxiliary devices functional.

Ladder Set-Up

An important part of fall protection is the proper use of ladders.

Keep the ladder at angle that your feet touch the base, when your outstretched arm touches the rungs. Erect on solid level surface.

Never place in front of door unless door is secured.

Stepladder – ensure the spreader is locked.

Ladder Set-Up Cont.

Tie-off (lash) top and bottom if no one is available to hold to prevent slipping.Extension – extend ladder 3 feet above support if used to access roof or other elevated surfaces.Extension – use the ¼ rule (for every 4 feet in height, move 1 foot at base).

Ladder Safety

Always have three points of contact when climbing (two feet/one hand or two hand/one foot).

Test pulleys, springs, rung locks and ropes on extension ladders.

Wear slip resistant type shoes with heels.

Do not carry objects up and down the ladder. Raise and lower needed tools and materials with a rope or bucket.

Maintain the center line of your body between the ladder’s vertical support rails while working.

Ladder Maintenance & Storage

It’s best to hang a ladder horizontally on wall hooks in a dry place not subject to temperature extremes and direct sunlight.Metal bearings of locks, wheels, pulleys, etc., shall be frequently lubricated.Have repair work done only by a competent repair shop. If there is major damage – discard.

Scaffold Safety OSHA standard, 1926.450

Scaffold Platform:no more than 1” gapsmaximum openings of 9½”scaffold platforms and walkways 18” wideladder jack, top plate bracket, roof bracket, and pump jack scaffold at least 12” wideOn direction changes, any platform on a bearer at other than a right angle shall be laid first, and platforms which rest at right angles over the same bearer laid second.

Scaffold Safety

Capacity:support own weight and 4 X the maximum intended load.

suspension rope & hardware, 6 X the maximum intended load.

stall load of scaffold hoist not to exceed 3 times its rated load.

designed by a qualified person and built and loaded to design.

Scaffold Safety

Scaffold Foundations:Scaffolds must have base plates, even when setting on a concrete floor.

Also, the lack of a base plate could damage the scaffold leg.

Scaffold Safety

Scaffold Foundations Cont.Scaffold legs must be set on base plates and adequate mudsills.

There is no base plate and the scrap plywood is not adequate.

The scaffold frame could penetrate the plywood.

Scaffold Safety

Scaffolds Foundations Cont.Scaffolds should never be set on bricks, masonry blocks, etc.

These are not structural elements and could crush under the scaffold load.

Good Foundations

Mason’s Adjustable

Hydro-mobile

Frames

Good Foundations

Scaffold Safety

Criteria for supported scaffolds:Higher than 4:1 ratio restrained from tipping by guys, ties, or equivalent.

Guys, ties, installed per recommendations or at the closest horizontal member to the 4:1 height

Bear on adequate foundations

Plumbed and braced

Scaffold Safety

Access:Must have safe access

No access by cross braces

Bottom rung not more than 24” high

Rest platforms at 35’ intervals

Sets access requirements for erectors and dismantlers

Can use some end frames for access

Scaffold Safety

Fall protection(PFAS or guardrails)Required at 10 foot

PFAS in lieu of guardrails on some scaffolds

PFAS & guardrails on suspension scaffolds

PFAS required for erectors and dismantlers were feasible after September 2, 1997.

Toprails after 1-1-2000, 38” to 45” high

Use crossbracing in lieu of top or midrails in some cases

Excavation SafetyOSHA Standard, 1926.651

Hazards of Excavation Works:Cave-ins

Separation of a mass of soil or rock material from the side of an excavation.

Underground Utilities

Determining approximate location

Determining exact location

Contacting local utility companies

Materials/Equipment into excavation sites

Excavation Safety

Access & Egress:Structural ramps designed by competent personEgress (ladder, stairs) from trenches over 4 feet deepRamps must be structurally sound and not create a tripping hazardUse surface treatments on ramps to prevent slipping

Excavation Safety

Access & Egress:Means of egress must be within 25 feet of workers

Ladders must extend a minimum of 36 inches above the landing

Use metal ladders with caution around utilities

Excavation Safety

Inspections - Worker ExposureDaily - prior to work, conducted by competent personAs needed - during work when competent person determines a hazardous condition exists (employees are removed until precautions are taken)After rainstorm or other hazard increasing occurrence

Excavation Safety

Protective Systems Cont.Protective systems are not needed if the excavation is:

made in stable rock

less than 5 feet deep

Protective systems must be able to resist all loads

Excavation Safety

Sloping and Benching Requirements by Soil Type: Soil or Rock

Type

Maximum Allowable Slope for Excavations less than 20’

Stable Rock Vertical (90 Deg.)

Type A ¾ to 1 (53 Deg.)

Type B 1 to 1 (45 Deg.)

Type C 1 ½ to 1 (34 Deg.)

????Any Questions