Working on ladders is hazardous. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, falls from ladders account for nearly 24,000 injuries and over 100 deaths each year in private industry. However, you can help prevent injuries and fatalities at your workplace by training your employees in how to properly select, inspect, use, and maintain ladders.
Selection
When choosing a portable ladder, have employees consider:
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Type (step ladder, straight, or extension ladders);
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Length (convenient height without reaching);
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Strength (determine the weight and stress the ladder has to bear); and
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Material (wood is nonconductive, heavy, and rots; metal is light, weather-resistant, but conducts electricity; and fiberglass is light, long-lasting, nonconductive, and has good traction)
Inspection
Require your employees to inspect all ladders before using them. Have them look for loose, broken, or missing parts, slippery rungs, skid-resistant features, movable parts, and ample oil on metal bearings. Don't allow employees to use damaged ladders. Instead, have them tag them and have the ladders repaired or destroyed.
Safe Use
A few precautions for safe ladder use include the following:
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Set the ladder on a firm, solid surface;
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Place a straight or extension ladder at an angle so that the ladder's base is one foot out for every four feet of ladder working length (support point to base);
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Face the ladder and use both hands to grip the side rails when climbing or descending;
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Do not stand on the top two steps of a step ladder or the top four rungs of a straight ladder;
Care and Maintenance
Here are a few pointers on ladder care and maintenance you can share with employees:
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Avoid makeshift portable ladder repairs;
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Do not try to straighten or use a bent ladder;
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Always have a qualified person perform repairs; and
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Store ladders in facilities with good ventilation, no tripping hazards, no nearby sources of heat or moisture, and a design that lends itself to safe withdrawal of any ladders you need.
Remember, preventing falls from ladders depends on proper ladder selection, inspection, use, and care and maintenance.
