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Slips, Trips and Falls – Ladder Safety

OSHA Region V Emphasis ProgramFall Hazards in Construction and General Industry

Effective April 1, 2013Focus on the safe use of portable and fixed ladders

Evaluate number of fall-related injuries

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Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention Hazards and Exposure The ‘Law of Opportunity’

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Objectives

1. Identify the importance of preventing slip, trip and fall hazards

2. Evaluate the best and safest way to complete the job

3. Identify safe work practices to avoid slips, trips and falls

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‘It’s not the fall that’s hurts but the sudden stop at the end’

The free fall velocity at impact when falling 12 feet is nearly 20 mph

A person will hit the ground in just under one second after falling this distance

A Fall Occurs…

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Stay Clear of Falling Objects

Avoid working under or near hazards or process

Do not allow others below your work area

If you are not directly involved, stay clear

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The Enemies7

RushingDistraction

‘Multi-tasking’Precipitation or spills At-risk behaviors

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Housekeeping? 8

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Winter and Wet Weather

Salt and sand Use ice gripper slip-ons ‘yak

tracks’ http://yaktrax.com/

Walk like a penguin or shuffle on ice Keep your knees and elbows

‘soft’ Be aware of glare ice

conditions

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General Floor Surfaces: #1Use of floor surface degreasers, i.e. ‘Y-slip’ http://www.canmill.com/antislip.htm

Keep rugs and mats flat and secured at the corners

Objects on the floor (i.e. paperclips)

Loose carpeting

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Focus11

Concentrate on what you’re doing, to avoid ‘distracted walking’

Identify pedestrian walkways

‘Three points of balance’, keeping one hand free when possible when walking, for support

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What to Do in a Fall 12

Avoid initially helping someone up by offering your hand – they may have experienced a head, neck or back injury.

How to get up on your own after a fall, first ‘taking stock’

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Carrying Items 13

Use carts or other means for when carrying items

Be aware of steps and stairs – especially non-commercial or ‘home made’ Throwing off your internal tape measure

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Line of Sight14

Keep adequate lines of sight in terms of seeing over what you might be carrying, and also, around corners or vehicles

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Lighting 15

Provide adequate illumination and lighting

Keep and use flashlights – don’t let your toes lead the way in the dark!

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Ladder Safety

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Pick the Right LadderBefore stepping onto a ladder, think about

these things: Duty rating of the ladder—what capacity

can it hold? Height of the ladder—too short or too

tall? Condition of the ladder and instructions

unique to the ladder selected.

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Use at angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is ¼ the working length of the ladder (length along ladder between the foot and top support).

Ladder AnglePortable Rung and Cleat Ladders

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2020

Avoid Placing Ladders Near Electrical Lines

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Choose and Position the Correct Ladder – or Find Another Way to Access the Work Area

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Damaged or Defective Ladders

Missing rung

Inspect ladders for visible defects, like broken or missing rungs

If a defective ladder is found, immediately mark it defective or tag it "Do Not Use”

Withdraw defective ladders from service until repaired

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Climbing the Ladder

The ‘Belly Button Rule’

Face the ladder when going up or down

Use at least one hand to grab the ladder when going up or down –

Maintain 3 points of contact at all times!Do not carry any object or load that could cause you to lose balance

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Proper Condition and Instructions Inspect the ladder for visible defects

Never use a ladder that is broken or otherwise damaged

Remove damaged ladders from service and tag them as damaged

Review the safety labels on the ladder Always comply with the warnings and

instructions

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Determine Proper Ladder Set-up Consider placement and pitch Secure and stabilize the ladder

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Placement Tips Avoid setting

up a ladder in high traffic or barricaded areas

Do not use metal or aluminum ladders near electrical lines

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Secure and Stabilize LaddersSlippery Surfaces

Never use a ladder on a slippery surface, unless it is secured to prevent movement. Wet or slippery surfaces may require a

cleat. Ladder feet should dig into the ground, and

the ladder should be secured at the bottom to prevent movement/slipping.

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Firm Base

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Secure and Stabilize LaddersUneven SurfaceWhen the surface is not level, use a ladder leveler (accessory) to provide even contact points

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Maintain a Safe Position on Ladders Do not overreach

when working from the ladder

Do not stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder

Do not allow another person on a ladder at any given time, unless you are using a double-cleated ladder that is intended for two-way traffic

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Now It’s Your Turn – Identify the Hazards

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Thank You!