1. Climbing the Ladder to Safety
Ladder Use
Climbing the Ladder to Safety

2. Ladder Accidents Over 25,000 work-related accidents each year
Many result in severe injuries or death
Most common injuries include sprains, cuts, bruises, head injuries, & broken bones
Annual cost of compensation and medical treatment reaches into the millions of dollars
Indirect costs (worker replacement, retraining, and loss of productivity) can be up to 4 times as much!

3. 3 Main Sources of Ladder Accidents are:
Ladder (equipment) failure
Unexpected ladder movement
User loss of footing or balance

4. Reasons for Ladder Failure:
Improper selection & use
Deterioration due to improper care & storage
Exposure to damaging agents
chemicals
heat

5. Preventing Ladder Failure
General prevention techniques include:
a. Proper Selection
b. Adequate Inspection
c. Appropriate Use

6. Preventing Ladder Failure
Proper Selection
Read and follow all manufacturer's instructions
Don't choose a step ladder when an extension ladder is needed
Don’t use a ladder with obvious structural defects
Use only wooden or fiberglass ladders near electrical service or power lines
Attach a single point support where both rails fail to contact (against columns, poles or corners)
Check ladder capacity

7. Preventing Ladder Failure
Adequate Inspection
Look for damaged or loose rungs or side rails
Note any broken or bent hardware
Check the condition of extension ladder ropes and pulleys
Ensure that ladder footings are firmly attached and tread is intact
Tag a defective ladder “out of service” & report it immediately
If broken, worn, or damaged beyond repair, destroy the ladder

8. Preventing Ladder Failure
Appropriate Use
Keep to its intended purpose
Don’t stand on the back cross bracing
Don’t use an extension ladder as a horizontal platform (scaffold)
Don’t allow more than one worker on the ladder at a time
Don’t load the ladder beyond its maximum intended load
Protect ladder base from traffic; if used in front of a door, make sure door is locked or guarded

9. Unexpected Ladder Movement
WHY?
When ladders move unexpectedly, it is almost always because of improper placement – either on inappropriate surfaces or at an improper angle.

10. Preventing Ladder Movement
Situate ladders only on firm, level ground - not in mud, in water, or on an incline
Ensure that the extension ladder’s base is at a minimum distance from vertical that is at least 1/4 of the ladder’s working height
Ensure an extension ladder reaches at least 3 feet above the landing

11. Preventing Ladder Movement
Ensure that all ladders are equipped with slip-resistant footings or “shoes”
Fully open stepladders and lock the spreader - all feet should contact a level supporting structure
Do not place the ‘round’ ends of an extension ladder downward
Do not take apart extension ladders or use single sections individually

12. Preventing Ladder Movement
Ladders move when they are not
properly tied off.
When using an extension ladder, always:
Tie it off
Brace it at the bottom
Secure extension rope to lower
section as back-up for lock assembly

13. Loss of Footing or Balance
Ladder accidents can occur when the user loses footing (slips) or loses balance
Chief causes include
Improper ladder preparation
Wet shoes
Carrying materials while climbing
Overreaching while on the ladder
Inattention to the job
When ladder users ignore proper operating procedures or simply fail to employ good common sense, the results can be disastrous!

14. Preventing Loss of Footing/Balance
To reduce your risk of a fall, follow these guidelines:
Clean any wet or slippery rungs before use
Wear slip-resistant shoes
Always face the ladder
Keep eyes on the ladder and pay attention to hand and foot placement

15. Preventing Loss of Footing/Balance
To reduce your risk of a fall, follow these guidelines:
Lift equipment & materials with a rope; don't carry in your hand
Carry smaller tools in pouches around the waist
Always maintain 3 points of contact (2 feet/1 hand, or 2 hands/1 foot)
Do not overreach.  Keep belt buckle positioned between the side rails

16. Preventing Loss of Footing/Balance
To reduce your risk of a fall, follow these guidelines:
Never stand on the top two steps of any ladder
Do not move, shift, or extend the ladder while standing on it

17. IF YOU MUST PERFORM ELEVATED WORK NEAR ANY OVERHEAD LINES:
FINALLY, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT YOU AVOID ALL CONTACT WITH POWER LINES!!
IF YOU MUST PERFORM ELEVATED WORK NEAR ANY OVERHEAD LINES:
USE A NON-CONDUCTIVE LADDER (FIBERGLASS)
CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR
WALK THROUGH THE PROCEDURE BEFORE STARTING THE JOB

18. Thank you for your cooperation!