1. LADDERS & SCAFFOLDS Basic Information & Safe Use (Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25-29 & 1926.451&1926.1053) Bureau of Workers’ Comp PA Training for Health & Safety (PATHS) 1PPT-023-03

2. Selecting a Ladder Ladders are manufactured for a specific use; e.g., jobs that can be safely performed with step ladders could become dangerous if extension ladders are used instead. You must evaluate the work environment and know what ladders are available before you can choose the right ladder for the job. Keep in mind all potential hazards: → electricity → uneven surfaces → people and materials → overhead obstructions PPT-023-032

3. Selecting a Ladder You must keep in mind the physical requirements of the job: How much room will there be to position the ladder? How much weight – combining the user, tools, and materials – will be on the ladder? How long should the ladder be to safely perform the job? PPT-023-033

4. Duty Rating A ladder duty rating tells you its maximum weight capacity. There are four categories of the duty ratings: Type IA – These ladders have a duty rating of 300 pounds. Type IA ladders are recommended for extra- heavy-duty industrial use. Type I – These ladders have a duty rating of 250 pounds. Type I ladders are manufactured for heavy- duty use. Type II – These ladders have a duty rating of 225 pounds. Type II ladders are approved for medium-duty use. Type III – These ladders have a duty rating of 200 pounds. Type III ladders are rated for light-duty use. PPT-023-034

5. Portable Ladders Free from sharp edges, splinters, wane and decay Step ladders Type I = 3 to 20 feet Type II = 3 to 12 feet Type III = 3 to 6 feet Have a metal spreader or locking device 5PPT-023-03

6. Portable Ladders Single/Straight ladder 30 feet or less Extension ladder 60 feet or less Painter’s ladder 12 feet or less 6PPT-023-03

7. Care and Maintenance of Ladders Ladders must be maintained in good condition at all times: –joints must be tight –metal bearings of lock, wheels, pulleys, etc., must be lubricated –frayed or badly worn rope must be replaced –safety feet and other auxiliary equipment must be in good condition Ladders must be inspected frequently 7PPT-023-03

8. Inspecting Ladders Recommended before each use: Check for broken, split, cracked, corroded or missing rungs and side rails Check carefully for cracks (hard to see; cracks weaken ladders) Check for rungs or side rails with excessive bends (bent areas are greatly weakened and may fail during use) Check for loose, corroded or weakened fasteners and hardware 8PPT-023-03

9. Inspecting Ladders Check ladders for missing or damaged feet (ladder feet may have both non-skid pads for hard surfaces and metal feet for soft surfaces) Check for paint or other coating hiding defects (wooden ladders shall not be painted or coated with any opaque covering except for identification or warning labels placed on one face only of a side rail) Painted aluminum, fiberglass ladders = very hard to observe defects/damage 9PPT-023-03

10. Inspecting Ladders Check for oil, grease, moisture or other slippery materials before use and clean as necessary Check capacity label and make sure ladder has sufficient capacity to hold you and everything you are wearing/carrying 10PPT-023-03

11. Safe Use of Ladders Make sure the ladder is strong enough and long enough for the job Carefully inspect your ladder before you use it Place the ladder on a firm, level surface with its feet parallel to the wall it is resting against When ascending or descending, the climber must face the ladder 11PPT-023-03

12. Safe Use of Ladders – Any Safety Issues Here? Bracket Bent & Shelf Missing Rail Bent 12PPT-023-03

13. Setting Up a Ladder Safely No ladder should be used to gain access unless it extends 3 feet above the point of support Your ladder must be tied off or placed to prevent slipping When setting a ladder against a wall use the 4-to-1 ladder rule 13PPT-023-03

14. Safe Ladder Set Up 14PPT-023-03

15. Safe Ladder Set Up – Determine Climbing Angle 15PPT-023-03

16. Ladder Safety Precautions Ladders that have defects or are in need of repair must be removed from service Shorter ladders must not be spliced together to make one big ladder Rungs must be kept free from grease 16PPT-023-03

17. Fixed Ladders The minimum design live load must be a single concentrated load of 200 pounds All metal ladders and appurtenances must be painted Rungs, cleats and steps must be kept free of splinters, sharp edges or burrs 17PPT-023-03

18. Offset Fixed Ladders When ladders extend to heights exceeding 20 feet, landing platforms must be provided for each 30 feet of height All platforms shall be equipped with the standard railings and toeboards 18PPT-023-03

19. Pitch of Fixed Ladders The preferred pitch of fixed ladders is considered to come in the range of 75 and 90 degrees with the horizontal Substandard pitch is within the range of 60 and 75 degrees 19PPT-023-03

20. Ladders and Electricity Metal ladders conduct electricity Use care when placing 20PPT-023-03

21. Scaffolding Designed by qualified person and built loaded to design Footing or anchorage of scaffolds must be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load without displacement Must be capable of supporting at least 4 times the maximum intended load 21PPT-023-03

22. Types of Scaffolds There are many types of scaffolds for many types of different uses –Bricklayer’s Square Scaffolding –Window-Jack Scaffolds Scaffolds are also made out of different materials, but are typically made out of metal or wood All have different OSHA regulations 22PPT-023-03

23. Frame Scaffold Components Frames Locking devices Cross, horizontal and diagonal braces Base plates and screw jacks Putlogs Casters Platform planks Guard rails and gates Ladders and stair units Side and end brackets Hoisting arms 23PPT-023-03

24. Frames Frames come in many styles and sizes Each offers the user a variety of configuration possibilities to meet their needs 24PPT-023-03

25. Locking Devices Locking device is necessary when the frame requires more than one level Secures frames as they are stacked on one another 25PPT-023-03

26. Braces Strength and stability are important considerations when planning, erecting and using scaffold Cross, horizontal and diagonal braces are used to meet this requirement 26PPT-023-03

27. Base Plates and Screw Jacks These provide a solid foundation for the scaffolding Improper use could cause the scaffold to collapse Base plates should always be used, even on concrete 27PPT-023-03

28. Putlogs Scaffolds may be erected in areas where there are obstructions or openings (putlogs used) Sometimes called a truss Provide an excellent surface for platforms Care must be taken not to exceed load Refer to operator’s manual for load capacities 28PPT-023-03

29. Casters Primary use is in the erection of rolling tower scaffolds Typically made of rubber or steel in varying diameters and equipped with a locking device 29PPT-023-03

30. Platform Planks Provide surface from which user can work and store materials Can be obtained from lumber yard or scaffold dealer Plywood, steel, aluminum, etc. 30PPT-023-03

31. Lumber Grading American Lumber Standards Committee established associations that are approved to grade species of lumber Dense Industrial 65 Scaffold Plank 31PPT-023-03

32. Plank Testing In addition to grading wood planks used in scaffolding, planks are tested Weight requirement for a plank = 250 pounds for one person OSHA states scaffolding planks shall not deflect more than 1/60 of their span when loaded When in doubt, discard plank 32PPT-023-03

33. Scaffold Ties All scaffolds with height-to-base ratio of more than 4-to-1 must be secured to the structure or guyed to prevent tipping over Scaffold tie purpose = bracing scaffold All ties should provide compressive, as well as tensile, resistance to any lateral forces acting on the scaffold 33PPT-023-03

34. Wind Force 34PPT-023-03

35. Ladders and Stair Units Ladder and stair units allow for ease of access to scaffold work areas They are manufactured in many styles to suit the user’s need 35PPT-023-03

36. Brackets Side and end brackets are used to extend the length or width of scaffold Expand work surface Should never be used for storage of work materials or equipment 36PPT-023-03

37. Hoisting Arms Hoisting arms = take materials and equipment to work platform of a scaffold Are easily installed and provide efficient means of transporting equipment 37PPT-023-03

38. Scaffolding General Requirements Must be maintained in a safe condition Must not be altered or moved horizontally while in use Should not be loaded in excess of the working load for which they are intended Materials hoisted onto a scaffold must have a tag line 38PPT-023-03

39. Scaffolding General Requirements Timbers, wood, nails and bolts must be adequate size All planking and platforms must be overlapped (by at least 12 inches) An access ladder or equivalent safe access must be provided Tools, materials and debris must not be allowed to accumulate on scaffolding 39PPT-023-03

40. Questions 40PPT-023-03