Ladders: Their Safe and Correct Use As referenced in General Industry Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.25-27

Today’s presentation provided by … DKSafety “Safety Never Hurts!” As referenced in General Industry Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.25-27

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Disclaimer NOTE: Any publication that is in the public domain may be This information and training content are meant to provide a general overview and interactive discussion relating to various regulatory standards. It does not alter, determine, or reduce your organization’s compliance responsibilities with regard to state or federal OSHA standards, FMCSA/CSA, AK-DOT, and/or any applicable local regulatory compliance standards. Further, it does not create a binding legal responsibility on the part of the trainer(s) or his/her organization for your personal obligations and/or your organization’s requirements for compliance under any afore-mentioned jurisdiction. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, you should consult any current administrative interpretations and decisions by the various agencies to which you are subject and/or the Courts for any additional guidance on your individual needs. NOTE: Any publication that is in the public domain may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission. Source credit is requested but not required.

In this session, we’ll cover … Today’s Agenda In this session, we’ll cover … Types of ladders General ladder safety Step ladder safety Straight ladder safety

Types of Ladders Straight ladders are non-self-supporting ladders that include single section and extension ladders Step ladders are hinged ladders that must be used in the open, or “A” frame, position Fixed ladders are permanently mounted to a structure

NEVER USE A DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE LADDER! TAG IT “DANGER - DO NOT USE” General Ladder Safety Inspect the ladder before each use. Check for: General condition of the side rails and rungs Grease, oil, and other slippery substances Missing parts Safety feet on straight and extension ladders Evidence of corrosion, heat, or chemical damage Ladders are usually heavy and awkward; get help carrying them or use carts to assist you whenever possible NEVER USE A DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE LADDER! TAG IT “DANGER - DO NOT USE” TAKE IT OUT OF SERVICE!

General Ladder Safety NEVER USE A METAL OR WET WOOD LADDER WHEN SERVICING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT OR WHEN WORKING WITHIN TEN (10) FEET OF POWER LINES Read and follow all label information on the ladder Ladders must be set-up on stable, even surfaces If foot or vehicle traffic could upset the ladder, take precautions to block the area The area under and to the sides of the ladder should be blocked off to protect others from dropped objects

General Ladder Safety Only one person is allowed on a ladder at one time, unless the ladder is specially designed for multiple climbers Always face the ladder while climbing it Maintain three (3) points-of-contact (feet and hands) with the ladder while climbing As a general rule, grasp the rungs while climbing rather than the side rails, as your grip will be stronger

General Ladder Safety Objects that are large and bulky should be hoisted up with a rope: (Do not carry objects that could change your center of balance or might cause you to fall) Never try to over-reach! (Generally defined as a distance past an arm length from the center point of the ladder you’re on)

General Ladder Safety Ladders should be returned to storage after use Ladders should be stored flat, on edge, or secured with a chain if stored vertically When in storage, ladders must be adequately supported to avoid distorting the supporting parts

Step Ladder Safety Step ladders must be fully opened and locked when in use Never lean a step ladder against a wall or other stationary object: the step ladder could slide out from under you Never stand on the top step of the step ladder. Better yet, do not stand on the top two steps of a step ladder.

Straight Ladder Safety The ladder must be placed against a secure point that supports both side rails When accessing a roof or platform, the ladder must extend a minimum of three rungs above the elevation To achieve the proper work angle, set the ladder base 1/4th the distance of the working height back from the vertical support

Straight Ladder Safety Be sure that the ladder locks engage and hold the extension section(s) in place Never use straight ladders as stages, braces or work platforms Tie off the ladder at the top and bottom (using the side rails as anchors) if you will be using power tools or using significant physical force. A co-worker can also hold the ladder steady at the base.

Straight Ladder Work Angle The proper angle is achieved by keeping the ladder base about one-fourth (1/4th) of the working height distance away from the vertical support

Fixed Ladder Safety Inspect the ladder’s anchorage to the structure as you climb Exit the ladder and report if any potential problems are observed Follow the applicable general ladder safety rules during use

Conclusions All ladders must be inspected before use Never use damaged or defective ladders Safety rules must be followed while using ladders to prevent serious accidents The safety of the ladder user and others in the area of use must always be considered After use, store all ladders properly

More Information and/or Answers: To test your knowledge about ladders, go to: www.laddersafetytraining.org _________________________________________________ Give DAN a call: (907) 903-0596 or send e-mail to: dkrusze@gci.net DKSafety “Safety Never Hurts!”

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