Safety and Health Program- Ladder Safety Upgrade Chapter

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Ladder Safety

Purpose:

Ladders present unique opportunities for unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. Employees who use ladders must be trained in proper selection, inspection, use and storage. Improper use of ladders has cause a large percentage of accidents in the workplace are of accidents. Use caution on ladders. OSHA reference: (29 CFR 1910.25, 1910.26, and 1910.27).

Hazards:

Falls are the primary hazard associated with the use of ladders. Falls result from a number of unsafe acts and conditions such as:

1) Ladders being set on unstable surfaces.

2) Personnel reaching too far out to the sides.

3) Personnel standing too high to maintain balance.

4) Personnel using defective ladders (e.g., broken rails, rungs, missing hardware).

These hazards are minimized if workers adhere to proper ladder safety practices and if supervisors ensure equipment is used, inspected, and maintained in good condition. Tasks which require frequent use of ladders and involve significant climbing effort must be accomplished by workers capable of the physical exertion required under these conditions.

Procurement:

Portable ladders procured for the Company shall meet the design and construction specification of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25 for wood ladders and 29 CFR 1910.26 for metal ladders. Portable ladders constructed of reinforced plastic shall meet the specifications of ANSI A14.5-1974.

Care of Ladders:

a) Handle ladders with care. Do not drop, jar or misuse them.

b) Ladders shall be stored in a manner that will provide easy access for inspection and will permit safe withdrawal for use. They shall not be stored in a manner that presents a tripping hazard not where they can fall on someone. They should be stored in a manner that will prevent sagging.

c) Lubricate metal bearings of locks, wheels, pulleys, etc., as required to keep them working.

d) Replace frayed or badly worn rope.

e) Keep safety feet and other parts in good condition to ensure they work.

f) Maintain ladders in good usable condition. Inspect ladders prior to use.

g) Ladders with defects which cannot be immediately repaired, shall be removed from service for repair or destruction, and shall be tagged with a danger tag. Do not attempt to straighten or use a bent ladder made of reinforced plastic.

h) Rungs or steps on metal ladders that are not corrugated, knurled, or dimpled will have skid-resistant materials applied.

Requirements:

The following requirements apply to all ladders as indicated, including job-made ladders: