Be Safe While Using Ladders

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

Stay safe when using ladders at all times

Take the time before you climb. Check to see if your ladder is safe to use before stepping foot on a rung. Ladders get thrown in and out of trucks and closets which may cause the ladders to get beat-up. A damaged ladder is unsafe to use and should be immediately taken out of service. The checklist to the right outlines a few areas that should be inspected before each use.

If you notice any cracked or damaged uprights, braces, or rungs, the ladder should not be used. Loose nails, screws, bolts or other metal parts are also a huge red flag. The ladder rungs should be secure and clean of any oil or dirt. Foot treads should not be worn out and all of the ladder’s labels should be present and legible. As always, only use a ladder on a stable surface. If the ladder is rocking even slightly, or if you need to place something underneath the feet of the ladder to keep it stable, the ladder is unsafe for use.

Why is inspection so important? According to the World Health Organization, the United States has the most number of deaths caused by falls from ladders. Falls from ladders are also the leading cause of deaths in the construction industry. There are over 164,000 emergency room visits and 300 deaths from falling from ladders. The majority of falls from ladders that lead to death are from heights of 10 feet or less from the ground. The number of deaths has tripled over the past decade. Most of these deaths may have been prevented by inspecting ladders before use and putting defected ladders out of service. Another factor that may decrease the amount of fatalities and injuries due to falls from ladders is proper training.

The following list outlines just a few items to train employees in regards to the safe and proper use of ladders.

• Always maintain 3-points of contact at all times when climbing
• Do not carry any materials up or down a ladder
• Face the ladder when ascending or descending
• Never overreach
• Only allow one person to climb the ladder at a time

Extension Ladders:

• Position the ladder at the proper pitch (1/4 rule)
• Extend the side rails at least 36 inches or 3 rungs above the landing
• Secure the top of the ladder to help prevent shifting 

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