Ladders: Safe Use of Ladders

Employees should follow certain rules when placing, ascending, and descending ladders which include:

• Hold on with both hands when going up or down. If material must be handled, raise or lower it with a rope either before going down or after climbing to the desired level.

• Always face the ladder when ascending or descending.

• Never slide down a ladder.

• Be sure shoes are not greasy, muddy, or slippery before climbing.

• Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top on straight or extension ladder, or the second tread from the top on stepladders.

• Carry tools on a tool belt not in the hand.

• Never lean too far to the sides. Keep your belt buckle within the side rails.

• Use a 4 to 1 ratio when leaning a single or extension ladder. (place a 12 foot ladder so that the bottom is 3 feet away from the object the ladder is leaning against.)

• Inspect ladder for defects before using.

• Never use a defective ladder. Tag or mark it so that it will be repaired or destroyed.

• Never splice or lash a short ladder together.

• Never use makeshift ladders, such as cleats fastened across a single rail.

• Be sure that a stepladder is fully open and the metal spreader locked before starting to climb.

• Keep ladders clean and free from dirt and grease.

• Never use ladders during a strong wind except in an emergency and then only when they are securely fastened.

• Never leave placed ladders unattended.

• Never use ladders as guys, braces, or skids, or for any other purpose other than their intended purposes.

• Never attempt to adjust a ladder while a user is standing on the ladder.

• Never jump from a ladder. Always dismount from the bottom rung.

Ladders

Ladders are used when employees need to move up or down between two different levels. Slips, trips, and falls are significant contributors to accidents. Slips, trips, and falls can occur when wrong ladder selection is made and when improper climbing techniques and/or defective ladders are used.

Appropriate ladders must be used for the corresponding job and defective ladders will not be used. When hazards exist that cannot be eliminated, then engineering practices, administrative practices, safe work practices, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and proper training regarding ladders must be implemented.

Basic Ladder Safety Rules:

• All wood parts must be free from sharp edges and splinters; sound and free from accepted visual inspection from shake, wane, compression failures, decay, or other irregularities.

• Ladders must be maintained in good condition at all times, the joint between the steps and side rails must be tight, all hardware and fittings securely attached, and the movable parts shall operate freely without binding or undue play.

• Metal bearings of locks, wheels, pulleys, etc., shall be frequently lubricated.

• Ladders must be inspected frequently and those which have developed defects must be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use." 

• Ladders with broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment shall not be used; improvised repairs are not allowed.