Workers CompensationLadder Safety Training

Portable Ladder Safety Introduction

Ladders are important and essential tools that are used widely in a variety of industries. 

They help us move up and down and work at different heights.

Portable ladders, in particular, are useful tools because they can be readily moved or carried.

They are simply built and come in many sizes, shapes, and styles.

Ladder Safety – Condition/Inspection

Condition and inspection◦Keep portable ladders in good, usable

condition. Joints between steps or rungs and side rails are

tight Rungs, cleats, or steps are not bent, broken or

split All bolts and rivets are in place and secure Hardware, fittings and accessories are securely

attached and working properly Ropes are not frayed or badly worn

Ladder Safety Condition/Inspection

Moveable parts operate freely without grinding or excessive play

Safety feet and other auxiliary equipment are not excessively worn

Metal components are not corroded There are no other faulty or defective

components

Ladder Safety

Ladders need to be inspected as follows:

WHEN THE LADDER IS: DO THE FOLLOWING:

First placed into service and periodically while in service

Inspect the ladder for visible defects, including, but not limited to: -Working parts and -Rung or step connections to the side rails

Damaged by impact or tips over

•Visually inspect the ladder for dents, bends, cracks or splits•Check:-Rung or step connection to the side rails-Hardware connections-Rivets for shear damage-All other components

Storage

DOStore ladders in dry, well ventilated areas with

moderate temperatures. Store ladders either vertically or horizontally with

supports at each end and in the middle. Identify unsafe ladders with tags. Remove defective or unsafe ladders from service

immediately.

DON'TDon't store anything on a ladder. Don't paint wooden ladders with paint, only with clear

preservatives, as paint can hide wear on the ladder.

Portable Ladders – Use/Abuse

Although they are easy to use, they are often misused or abused, causing serious injuries and deaths. These deaths and injuries could have been significantly reduced or eliminated with proper care and use.

Varieties of Ladders

To prevent injuries while using portable ladders, you need to know what kinds of ladders there are and how to use them properly.  

There are various types, shapes, and sizes of ladders to help you accomplish your tasks.  

Two Way Step Ladder

Platform Ladder

Extension Ladder – 2 person job

Double Sided Ladder

Varieties of Ladders:

Self-Supporting LaddersPortable self-supporting ladders can stand up on

their own.  

Standard stepladders have a front section

with steps for climbing and a back section with two rear legs, which give them their stability.  

They must be set up on firm, level surfaces  such as floors, platforms, and slabs.

Self-Supporting Ladders

The standard stepladder is non-adjustable and has flat steps and a hinged back.  

It must have a metal spreader or locking device strong enough to securely hold the front and back sections in the open position.  

The back section is cross-braced and you must not use it for climbing.

Non Self-Supporting

• Non-self-supporting ladders must be leaned against a stable structure strong enough to support the weight of the ladder, user, tools, and materials being used by the worker on the ladder.

• They are intended for use by only one worker at a time.

• Commonly used non-self-supporting ladders include single ladders and extension ladders.

Non Self– Supporting

• Single ladders are nonadjustable and must never be tied or fastened together to form a longer ladder.

• Sectional ladders, which consist of two or more sections, are designed to be combined together to function as a single ladder

Portable Ladders - Falls

You don't have to fall far to get hurt.  Workers injured in falls from ladders are usually less than 10 feet above the ladder's base of support. 

Reasons for Falls

Why do people fall from ladders if they are so easy to use?

-Setting up on an unstable or slippery base surface is a primary reason ladders fall over.

-Falls involve portable ladders that move, tilt, or shift while a worker is climbing, descending, or performing a task. 

-Standing on the top two rungs, which explicitly has a warning label DANGER, do not do!

More Reasons for Falls

  improperly getting onto or off of the ladder

  loss of balance

  setting up the ladder improperly

  overreaching by the user

  mis-stepping or a slipping of the foot while climbing or descending

Ladder Safety - Prevention

Make sure the ladder is not placed on ice, snow, or other slippery surface unless the ladder is prevented from accidental displacement by:

◦Securing it◦Providing the ladder with slip-resistant feet

Ladder Safety - Prevention

Protect ladders that are set–up in a location where they could be displaced by workplace activities or traffic by either:

◦Securing the ladder to prevent accidental displacement

◦Using a barricade to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder

Ladder Safety - Prevention

Protect ladders that are set-up in front of doors that open towards the ladder by doing at least one of the following:

◦Block the door open

◦Lock the door

◦Guard the door to keep it from opening into the ladder

Make sure ladders are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height

Place a straight ladder so the side rails are equally supported by the top support, unless the ladder is equipped with a single support attachment

Make sure the top support of the ladder is reasonably rigid and able to support the load

Ladder Safety - Prevention

Climbing and descending:◦Have both hands free to hold on to the ladder,

or at least one hand.◦Face the ladder when climbing or descending◦Keep ladders free from oil, grease, or other

slippery materials◦Keep the area around the top and bottom of

ladders clear.◦Remove all items from ladder before moving it◦Make sure single-rail ladders are not used

Ladder Safety Prevention

Help Yourself & Others

Before you use a ladder, check its rating to see if you have the right ladder for the job.  Be sure not to subject the ladder to a work load greater than its rated capacity.  And, always read manufacturers' labels and follow their recommendations.

Do yourself a favor and avoid a fall and injury to yourself. If you see someone doing it wrong, say something!

Warning labels

• Manufactured ladders have warning markings and labels, such as "CAUTION" and "DANGER," which are usually in red or yellow.

• They often also have  "SAFETY" labels which give information on how to use the ladders safely.

What NOT to do:

QUIZ?

You have to fall more than 15 feet from a ladder before you get hurt. ?

Ladder Safety Quiz

TRUE OR FALSE FALSE!!!

FACT: Workers injured in falls from ladders are usually less than 10 feet above the ladder's base of support

Ladder Safety Quiz

Injuries involving falls from ladders might be:

A) Reaching too far out away from the

ladder. B) Misstep or slip of the foot while climbing. C) Setting up the ladder on an unstable or slippery surface. D) All of the above.

D) ALL OF

THE ABOVE

A ladder is rated according to:

Ladder Safety Quiz

A) its size B) how it is to be used C) the total weight that it can

safely support D) the kind of material it is made of

C)The total weight it

can safely support.

Ladder Safety Quiz

You don't need to read any of the labels on a ladder for information other than to find out the ladder's type.

TRUE OR FALSE

FALSE!!!

FACT: All labels must be read in order to take certain precautions is required.

Thank you for reviewing our Safety Training.

Please see your District Manager and they should provide you with an

acknowledgment form of Ladder Safety Training.