Ladder Safety

Portable ladders are a simple and effective means for safe climbing except for one major problem. Workers sometimes find portable ladders so easy to use that they neglect normal precautions and safety rules. The result, too often, is an accident.

Almost all ladder accidents can be avoided by following the three basic rules of ladder safety:

No ladder is safe unless it is the right type and right size for the job
No ladder is safe if it is missing rungs, if its rungs or rails are defective, if it is poorly built, or if it is in a weakened condition
No ladder is safe unless the person using it takes common sense precautions

A ladder should always be examined before it is used to be sure there are no defects that make it unsafe to use. (The reason a ladder should never be painted is that the paint could conceal significant defects.)

A ladder is unsafe to use if side rails are cracked or split or if there are sharp edges or splinters on cleats, rungs, or side rails. Check also for missing, broken, or weakened cleats, rungs, or treads by placing the ladder flat on the ground and walking on it. If a defective ladder cannot be repaired, it should be disposed of permanently.

Once the ladder has been checked and found safe, set it at an angle of about 75° with the floor or ground. The distance from the wall to the foot of the ladder should be about equal to 1/4 of the ladder’s total length.

After setting the ladder in place, check it for firm and level footing. To prevent slipping, nonslip points or safety shoes are recommended. But, if this is not practical, the ladder should be secured firmly by lashing it with rope or some other suitable line.

The ordinary straight ladder is not built to support more than one person at a time. In going up or down, always face the ladder and grasp the side rails with both hands.

Never carry tools or materials in your hands when going up or down the ladder. Instead, put them in a sack that hangs from a strap over your shoulder or use a bucket and rope to raise and lower them.

Don’t lean a ladder against an object that might move, and never lean it against a window sash. If you must work near or on a window, fasten a board securely across the top of the ladder to give a bearing on each side of the window

Always stay below the top three rungs unless you have a firm handhold or a safety belt. Even then, you should hold on with one hand while working.

Be sure you keep moving the ladder as needed to reach new areas to be worked. Never overreach, push, or pull the ladder while working on it. Never straddle the space between the ladder and another object or try to work in a high wind. Any of these actions could upset you and the ladder.

If you’re working in front of a door that opens toward the ladder, the door must be blocked open, locked, or guarded. In any other situation in which a person or vehicle may bump into the ladder, get a helper to stand guard. If you can’t, then be sure to rope off the space around the ladder.

Some points to remember:

Always inspect a ladder before using it
Outdoors, don’t work on a ladder if it’s very windy
When going up or down, face the ladder. Don’t hurry. Take one step at a time, and hold on with at least one hand
Don’t overreach or try to reposition the ladder while you’re on it. Instead, get down and move the ladder to a better working position
Don’t work on any of the top three rungs of a ladder unless you have a firm handhold or a safety belt
Secure the ladder against slipping before you try to use it
Don’t ever use a metal ladder near live wires or parts
When a ladder is not in use, store it under cover, horizontally, with supports to prevent sagging
Don’t let it lie on the ground where heat or dampness may weaken it

Ladders can be a great help on the job. They’re simple to use and get you where you need to be. Although ladders are uncomplicated devices, they can be dangerous. It’s important to know and follow ladder safety guidelines.

Choose the Right Ladder for the Job

Make sure your ladder’s strong enough and long enough for the job
Check the ladder’s duty rating and don’t exceed its limits. Type I, an industrial ladder, holds 250 pounds. Type II holds up to 225 pounds. Type III, the household ladder, holds up to 200 pounds
Remember to consider the weight of your tools when selecting a ladder
If you work around electrical wires or power lines, use a wooden or nonconductive fiberglass ladder, not metal
Never connect two short ladders to form a long one

Inspect Your Ladder Before You Use It

Check for loose or bent rungs, cracked side rails or bent or missing parts
Make sure the spreaders can be locked in place when opened
Metal ladders should have plastic or rubber feet and step coverings
Check for oil and grease on the rungs which could cause you to slip
Replace missing parts and tighten loose hardware
Avoid repairing major structural damage. Instead, get a new ladder
Make sure the steps are wide enough for you to spread your feet for balance

Set Up Your ladder Carefully

Place your ladder on a firm, level- surface with its feet parallel to the wall it’s resting against
Use the 4-to-1 ladder rule: Set the base of your ladder 1foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of ladder height
In busy areas, use a barricade to prevent collisions
Lock nearby doors that could open toward you
Always tie off your ladder. Lash straight ladders at the top and bottom
The top of a straight ladder should extend 3 feet beyond its resting point
Carry your ladder vertically, or use two people-one at each end.

Climb Cautiously

Face the ladder when you climb up or down
Hold on to the side rails with both hands
Carry only necessary tools on your belt
Use a rope to raise heavier equipment
Never overreach
Use the “belt buckle” rule. Always keep your body centered between the rails
Always wear a safety harness if you’re climbing more than 6 feet off the ground
Allow only one person on a ladder at a time
Wear shoes with nonskid soles
Make sure your hands are dry and free of grease
Never step on the top two rungs of a ladder
Never use a ladder for anything other than its intended purpose

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