Ladder Safety and Preventing Falls

Bob EmmerichSafe-Con, LLC

5714 Merlin St.Madison, WI 53711

bobe@safeconllc.com

Ladder Types Type I-A ladders are heavy-duty and

can handle up to 300 lbs. Type I ladders can hold up to 250

lbs. Type II ladders can hold 225 lbs. Type III ladders are for light duty

only and can hold up to 200 lbs.

What Happened

• A fiberglass A-frame ladder split halfway up the ridge of the leg rail, causing a worker on the ladder to fall to the rig floor.

• The employee injured his wrist.

An Accident

What Caused It

• An investigation showed the ladder appeared to be in good shape and not misused.

• It appeared to be a lighter shade than the other ladders on location, suggesting that it had been left out in the sun.

• When the ladder was standing alone, without weight on it, the split was extremely hard to see.

Ladder Inspection

Rungs must be intact and free from grease or oil.

Make sure there are no splinters or sharp edges.

See that metal ladders are not dented or bent.

Ladder Inspection

Safety feet should be in place. All support braces and bolts must be

present and secure. On extension ladders, make sure rope

is not torn or frayed.

Ladder Inspection

On stepladders, make sure the hinge spreader is working properly.

Tag Defective Ladders

• These ladders are properly tagged “Do Not Use”

Know the rules!

Ladder Don’ts

Do not use ladders that have been exposed to fire or corrosive chemicals.

Do not use a ladder for unintended purposes, such as in place of scaffolding.

Never allow more than one person on a ladder at a time.

Read The Warning Labels

• They are there for a reason!

Use of Step Ladders

Use of Step Ladders

Always set level.

Be sure latches are down.

Proper Ladder Climbing

• Use both hands to climb a ladder.

• Always face the ladder when climbing, descending or working.

• Avoid the top two steps of a stepladder and the top four rungs on other ladders.

Don’t Lean a Step Ladder

• The support leg (arrow) can contact the ground causing the step leg to kick out.

• Also employees should not work from the top or second step.

Don’t Lean!

• Avoid excessive stretching or leaning.

• Workers should never work with one leg on a ladder and one off.

• A slip could result in serious fall.

NO!

Do Not Stand On The Top Step!!!

Obey The Labels!!

Top Step!?!?!

Safe Step Ladder Use

• Always face the ladder

• Stay off top two steps.

Unsafe Step Ladder Use

• Do not straddle the top unless the ladder is designed for it.

NO!

Working Above Protections

• When employees work above railings, they must be protected from falling over the railings.

Working on Upper Levels

Safe Step Ladder Use

• When working to the side, maintain balance.

Self Supporting Ladder

Use of Extension Ladders

Set Feet Properly

Firm Base

Set both feet level and on the pads

Soft BaseSet on the spikes and seat the ladder in the

ground.

Not a Firm Foundation

Proper Ladder Set

• Make sure the ladder's feet are parallel to the surface it rests against.

• Don’t set ladders where they may be hit or dislodged.

Set The Proper Angle

The distance from the bottom of the ladder to the wall should be one-fourth of the ladder's working height.

An extended arm will be close.

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Check The Locks

• Always check to be sure the extension locks are properly seated.

This Is A Poor Set Up

• The top could fall out with any slip at the base.

• The angle is too steep.

Working From a Ladder

• Always face the ladder.

• Keep one hand on the ladder for hold.

• Do not work on top four steps.

• Work within easy reach.

Ladder Access

• Many workers fall from ladders while accessing to another work area.

Ladder Access

• These are a very poor and hazardous set ups!

NO!

Extend Above Platform

• Access ladders must extend at least 3 feet above the landing platform.

3 feet

Proper Access Ladders

• Ladders should be set at 1 horizontal to 4 vertical.

• Ladders must be secured.

• Ladder access ways must be guarded.

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Securing Ladders

• This ladder is tied with a rope to a horizontal girt.

• There is nothing to keep the rope from sliding on the girt allowing the ladder to move laterally.

Ladders Near Electrical

• Use non-conductive ladders.

• Don’t carry or move extension ladders while extended.

• Get help moving ladders to maintain control.

Slips, Trips & Falls

• The #1 cause of office employee injuries! – 265,000 nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls

annually result in one or more days away from work per incident

– Slips, trips, and falls result in 17% of all nonfatal workplace injuries per year, the highest injury rate of any regulated activity

Fall Hazards

• Storage or placement of objects in aisles, below knee level, or on other “office-type” floor surfaces.

• Cords, ropes, hoses across floors and walkways

• Overflowing, heavy wastebaskets.• Dust accumulations.• Open drawers and doors• Wet floors

Aisles and Passageways

– Keep clear for material

handling equipment– Mark permanent aisles– Heavy-traffic passage-

ways must be equipped with pedestrian walkways

Slips & Trips

• It is also possible to injure your back slipping on a wet floor, ice, muddy ground, etc.

• Poor housekeeping is a common cause.

Basic Safety STEPS

• Awareness.• Keep aisles clear.• “Walk like a duck” on slippery surfaces.• Use the handrail on stairs.• Hold onto chair seats/arms when attempting to sit.• “Sensible shoes.”• Wipe up spills.• Walk, don’t run.

Use Stairs Safety

– Use handrails– Walk—don’t run– Inspect for slippery

surfaces or damaged steps

– Do not put objects on steps

– Do not carry bulky objects on stairs

Keep Walking and Working Surfaces Clear and Clean

– Keep workroom floors clean and dry

– Maintain a clean and orderly work area

Eliminate Trip Hazards

– Pick up tools, materials, and trash

– Pick up or walk around obstructions

– Report dangerous walking and working surfaces

– Keep file drawers closed – Keep power cords out of

walkways

Eliminate Slip Hazards

– Clean up liquids– Sweep up debris and dust– Stop and repair leaks – Install absorbent around wet processes– Use warning signs or cones

Wear Slip-Resistant Shoes

– Street shoes not intended for slip resistance

– Soft rubber sole for slip resistance

– Sole tread with channels

– Still need to walk carefully

Be Alert, Use Common Sense

– Be aware of the hazards– Pay attention to where you are going– Adjust your stride according to the

walking surface– Make wide turns at corners– Don’t block your vision when carrying items