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According to OSHA, falls from portableladders are one of the leading causes ofoccupational fatalities and injuries.

Follow the safety precautions in this safetytopic to help avoid a few of the potentialerrors that lead to many ladder safetyincidents.

OSHA Standard 1910.23(b)(1) states that the employer must ensure that ladder rungs, steps, and cleats are parallel,level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use.

LADDER SAFETY || Step LaddersVolume 2 Issue 29

OSHA Standard 1910.23(b)(9) states that the employermust ensure that ladders are inspected before initialuse in each work shift, and more frequently asnecessary, to identify any visible defects that couldcause employee injury.

Always visually inspect all step laddersbefore use for any defects such as:missing/broken rungs, bolts, cleats,screws and loose components.

➢ Remove defective ladders from serviceimmediately. Photo by MySafetySign.com (*1)


➢ Use the right ladder for the job!

➢ Always read the ladders warning labels and follow themanufacturer’s recommendations for use.

➢ Only use a ladder that is rated to support the weight ofyour body and your tools/equipment.

➢ Make certain that the ladder is not loaded beyond themaximum intended load.

➢ Never use one side of a disassembled step ladder as anextension ladder.

Note that the ladder rating on this stepladder is for household use, not industrial!


(*2)



Step ladder with broken lock assembly on one side and loose lockassembly on the other side. The ladder is also missing safety decals andmanufacturer’s labels that provide the ratings and safety warnings.

Damaged footing on step ladder with improper job maderepairs using tape. (*3)

OSHA Standard 1910.23(c)(2) states that theemployer must ensure that each stepladder orcombination ladder used in a stepladder mode isequipped with a metal spreader or locking devicethat securely holds the front and back sections inan open position while the ladder is in use.

➢ Never attempt to repair a ladder! Do notuse wire, screws, bolts, duct tape orelectrical tape as a way to fix the ladder;instead tag it and remove it from service.



➢ Never stand on the top rung or step of thestep ladder. This makes the ladder veryunstable and prone to tip over!

➢ Never face away from the step ladder! Thiscan easily cause you to fall!

➢ Never overreach on a step ladder!

➢ Do not move or shift a ladder while a personor equipment is on the ladder. This couldcause the materials or person to fall and causeserious injury.

(*7)

OSHA Standard 1910.23(b)(11) states that theemployer must ensure that each employee faces theladder when climbing up or down it.

(*4)

(*5)


Remember these important safety precautions when working with stepladders:

➢ Use the right ladder for the job! Use the correct ladder rated for theweight of your body and tools.

➢ Always visually inspect all step ladders before use for any defects suchas: missing/broken rungs, bolts, cleats, screws and loose components.Remove defective ladders from service immediately.

➢ Never stand on the top rung or step of the step ladder. This makes theladder very unstable and prone to tip over!

➢ Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on theladder.

➢ Never face away from the step ladder! This can easily cause you to fall!And never overreach on a step ladder.

➢ Always use the ladder as intended and follow all manufacturer’swarnings for the specific type of ladder you are trained to use.


© Weeklysafety.com, LLC

COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMERThis material is the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC. Purchase of this material from Weeklysafety.com, LLC grants the owner the right to use this material for workplace safetyand education purposes only. Use of this material for any other purpose, particularly commercial use, is prohibited. This material, including the photos, may not be resold.Weeklysafety.com, LLC does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or processdisclosed in these materials. Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safetyrequirements. These materials are meant for informational purposes only and it is not the intent of Weeklysafety.com, LLC to provide compliance-based training. The intent is more toaddress hazard awareness in the construction and related industries, and to recognize the potential hazards present in many workplaces. These materials are intended to discuss FederalRegulations only, as individual State requirements may be more stringent. Many states operate their own state OSHA and may have standards that are different from information presentedin this training. It is the responsibility of the employer and its employees to comply with all pertinent OSHA safety rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work.

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Unless specified below, all photos are the copyrighted property of Weeklysafety.com, LLC and may not be used in any other training materials or resold for any purpose.

For more information on this weekly safety topic, other topics that are available and the full list of FAQs please visitwww.weeklysafety.com or email [email protected].

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• (*1) Photo Credit – Photo by MySafetySign.com; Ladder. https://www.flickr.com/photos/smartsignbrooklyn/10275596873/

• (*2) Photo Credit – Lars Plougmann; Preparing for the season. https://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/19687340060/

• (*3) Photo Credit – Cayobo. Detail of Broken Ladder. https://www.flickr.com/photos/cayobo/8441483985/

• (*4) Photo Credit – Daniel Lobo; Recogida de equipaje. https://www.flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/236536131/

• (*5) Photo Credit – Sonia Belviso; Day 142 – October 2, 2012. https://www.flickr.com/photos/soniabelviso/8044395420/

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/


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