Ladder Safety

Climbing a Ladder

√ Face the ladder when going up or down and when working from it

√ Keep the centre of your body within the side rails

√ Tie off yourself with a safety harness when working 3 m (10ft) or more off the ground or when working with both hands.

√ Ensure that only one person is on a single-width ladder. Only one person

is allowed on each side of a double-width ladder. √ Maintain three-point contact by keeping two hands and one

foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times.

Climbing a Ladder – cont.

√ Grasp the rungs when climbing a ladder, not the side rails. If your foot slips on a ladder, holding onto rungs is easier than holding onto the side rails.

√ Wear protective footwear with slip-resistant soles and heels.

√ Rest frequently to avoid arm fatigue and disorientation when the work requires you to look up and reach above your head.

√ Drape your arms over a rung and rest your head against another rung or side rail if you become dizzy or panicky. Climb down slowly.

√ Do not place a ladder against flexible or moveable surfaces. Do not straddle the space between a ladder and another object

Stepladders

Use

WorksafeBC has recently received a number of accident reports involving workers falling from stepladders.

On average, 10 workers die every year after a fall from an elevation.

Recent accidents

A business owner sustained fatal injuries after falling approximately 9 feet from a stepladder while performing carpentry work over the entrance to his shop.

A worker fell to the ground from a 6-foot stepladder while placing product (chairs) on a 7-foot elevated display area. The worker sustained hip and back injuries, and possibly a head injury.

Note: many suggestions for using straight & extension

ladders also apply to stepladders

When using a stepladder Never carry heavy equipment on

the ladder with you. Using hoisting materials such as a tool belt or hand line wherever possible.

Erect a stepladder only on a flat level surface. Do not place it on a table or any similar platform for added height.

Never use a stepladder as a straight ladder.

Before climbing a stepladder, make sure that its legs are fully extended and the spreader locked. The locking device on some ladders may present a pinching hazard, so keep fingers clear when setting up the ladder.

Stand on the top two steps of a stepladder.

Step on the bucket shelf or attempt to climb or stand on the rear section supports. They are not designed to support the weight of a person.

Leave a raised ladder unattended. It could fall unexpectedly and injure someone.

DO NOT

Stepladder Tips

√ Use a step ladder that is about 1 m (3 ft) shorter than the highest point you have to reach. This gives a wider, more stable base and place shelf at a convenient working height.

√ Open the step ladder spreaders and shelf fully.

√ Check stability. Ensure that all ladder feet are on a firm, level and non-slippery surface.

√ Place a step ladder at right angles to the work, with either the front or back of the steps facing the work.

Tips – cont.

√ Keep the stepladder close to the work.

√ Avoid pushing or pulling stepladders from the side. Repeated sideways movement can make ladders wobbly since they are weaker or less stable in those directions.

√ Face the step ladder when climbing up or down. Keep your body centered between side rails. You have climbed too high if your knees are above top of the step ladder or if you cannot maintain a handhold on the ladder.

√ Maintain a firm grip. Use both hands when climbing.

Rules

Never use a stepladder over 20 feet long.

Always open a stepladder completely and make sure the spreader is locked open before using the ladder.

Never substitute makeshift devices of wire or rope for stepladder spreaders.

Do not stand higher than the second step from the top of a stepladder. Especially, do not stand or sit on the top cap, or stand on the pail shelf, or on the back of a stepladder.

Do not straddle the front and back of a stepladder

Do not push or pull a stepladder sideways

Do not overreach – move stepladder when needed

General Precautions

Review of Key Points

General Precautions:

Wooden ladders must not be painted as this could hide flaws or damage of the ladder.

Ladders must not be loaded beyond their manufacturer’s rated capacity.

Ladders must be used only for the purpose for which they were designed.

Non-self-supporting ladders must be used at an angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder.

Ladders must be used only on table and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental movement.

CSA Standard

►Ladders must not be used on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement. Slip-resistant feet must not be used as a substitute for the care in placing, lashing, or holding a ladder upon slippery surfaces.

An electrician was fatally injured when he fell from a 16 ft. aluminum tripod ladder (an orchard ladder). The ladder was erected on an epoxy-coated concrete floor inside a storage garage. The front single post slid forward and the ladder collapsed with the electrician on it. He suffered severe head injuries as a result of the fall and died 46 hours after the incident.