Ladder Safety

In 2020, there were 161 fatal work injuries in Washington state where ladders were the primary cause. Employees feel safe on ladders because they are a part of non- work lives. However, that familiarity will not stop employees from falling and getting seriously hurt.

To prevent falls and injuries, employers are required to train employees to recognize ladder hazards and to follow the procedures to minimize these hazards. Ladder safety should be addressed in the employers Accident Prevention Program.

You must have a competent person train employees who use ladders in at least the following topics:

• Proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling ladders
• Maximum intended load capacities of ladders that are used
• Washington requirements on ladders in the workplace

You must retrain employees as necessary to make sure they know and understand the content of the original training. The first step in creating a ladder safety program is determining what type of ladders your employees use, as well as evaluating whether that is the best ladder for the job.

When evaluating ladders, you need to look at what material the ladder is made of, you might want an aluminum ladder one day because it is lightweight, and a fiberglass ladder another day because you are using electrical tools. Additionally, employees will need training on how to inspect and use ladders.

NOTE:

• Wood ladders provide good insulation from heat/cold and feel natural when climbing, but they require additional maintenance and are heavy.
• Aluminum ladders are lightweight and corrosion resistant but are dangerous when working around electricity.
• Fiberglass ladders are durable, weather resistant, non-conductive and do not need the same maintenance that wood ladders need. However, they are heavy, can chip and crack when not handled properly, and become damaged by exposure to UV light like sunlight or a welding spark.

Inspections

• A competent person needs to inspect the ladder before it goes into use or if it has been potentially damaged.
• Every ladder user needs to inspect the ladder before they use it for the day.

Summary of requirements

Before setting up the ladder, perform an inspection and place the ladder in a location that it will not be impacted by pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

• Make sure the ladder feet are on stable material and that they cannot slip out.
• 4:1 Rule: Place straight & extension ladder at a safe angle, for every 4 feet up it should be 1 foot out from the structure, or it should be at 75° angle.
• Load rating – Before using a ladder, verify that it can hold you and all your equipment. Ladders need to have clear labels on them that tell you how much weight they can hold. Some ladders should only be used for household use.

300/375

250

225

200

Unbalanced while on ladder – Most falls occur when the ladder tips over.

• Use three points of contact.
• Always face the ladder when going up or down on the ladder.
• Stay centered on the ladder, reaching sideways past the ladder side rails is an accident waiting to happen.
• Don’t carry items in your arms that could unbalance you instead use a tool belt, backpack or pull it up after you are done going up or down the ladder.

3-foot rule – When using a ladder to reach a higher level (such as a roof) the top of the ladder must reach at least 3 feet past the edge of the level and be secured from slipping.

Fall Protection – When the top of a fixed ladder is 24 feet or more from the lower level on a ladder the worker must use fall protection.

Electrical Hazards – Always use a fiberglass ladder if there is any chance of contact with electricity. Never use a ladder or any other tools within 10 feet of energized electrical equipment such as power lines.

Top Step – Never stand on the top step or the cap of a portable ladder when the manufacturer prohibits it.

Competent Person – The employer appoints employees based on knowledge and experience to be a Competent Person for ladders. The competent person is the only employee with authority to train ladder users and inspect ladders before they are put into service. They determine if a damaged ladder is safe to used or any repairs are adequate.

A competent person is defined as an individual:

• knowledgeable of ladders, including the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions for the proper use, inspection, and maintenance;
• who is capable of identifying existing and potential ladder hazards;
• who has the authority to take prompt corrective action to eliminate those hazards;
• and who is knowledgeable of the rules regarding the installation, use, inspection, and maintenance of ladders.

Do the following:

First placed into service & as necessary while in service Inspect the ladder for visible defects, including, but not limited to:

1. Working parts; and
2. Rung or step connections to the side rails.

1. Visually inspect the ladder for dents, bends, cracks or splits
2. Check:

• • Rung or step connections to the side
  • Hardware
  • Rivets for shear
  • All other components.

1. Visually inspect the ladder for
2. Test for deflection and strength characteristics using the “in-service use tests” contained in the appropriate ANSI standard.

Job-made wooden ladders are not to be subjected to load or impact tests. Those tests may weaken lumber components or fasteners, causing hidden damage that could result in sudden failure during use.

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