National Ladder Safety Month (A Comprehensive Guide)

OSHA takes seriously its responsibility to avoid falls, which are one of the main causes of major injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Ladder safety rules was one of the four fall prevention-related rules that made up the agency’s top ten most cited standards in 2023. Ladders were the main cause of 161 fatal work injuries in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although this is a 5.8% decrease from 171 deaths in 2019, it may not actually be a sign of success because of pandemic shutdowns.

Basic ladder safety knowledge is essential to safeguarding oneself from potentially catastrophic falls and other unanticipated mishaps. Therefore, it is essential for the individuals who are working in the construction companies to follow the OSHA ladder safety rules in order to avoid any workplace injury or accidental death.

In this article, we will discuss the 9 ladder safety rules that should be followed by every employee at the construction site. Let’s have a look at the basic rules of ladder safety.

Make Sure To Use the Right Ladder

Ladders come in a variety of forms, each with unique applications and goals. Additionally, the load ratings of each of these ladders vary. It’s crucial to take the user’s weight into account while selecting the best ladder for the task, as well as the tools and gear they want to bring with them. Here is a brief summary of five main ladder classifications, together with the associated duty grade and weight capacity, to assist you choose the best ladder for your needs:

• Up to 375 lbs. is considered Special Duty (IAA).
• Up to 300 lbs. is considered Extra Heavy Duty (IA).
• Heavy Duty: 250 pounds and above.
• Upper Limit of Medium Duty: 225 lbs.
• Light Duty: 200 lbs. and above.

Make Sure The Ladder Is Not Damaged

A ladder that is used frequently may eventually cause problems. To make sure the ladder is still safe to use, the person assigned to it should visually examine it for any potential problems. The ladder should be taken out of use for repairs and not utilized if it has any damage.

The following are some possible ladder flaws to be aware of:

• Any gouges or marks that might weaken the ladder
• missing or loose rivets or bolts
• structural flaws include broken rungs, sharp bends, or cracks,
• components that are broken or absent, such railings or footpads
  

Ensure Physical Capability Of Ladder

A person’s physical fitness alone is insufficient; they also need to be free of any conditions that might make it dangerous for them to utilize the ladder. For instance, using a ladder is not advised for someone with low eyesight. It’s also not appropriate for someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to use a ladder.

Ladder Load Limits

According to OSHA ladder safety rules, using safe ladders usually requires certain weight restrictions. The weight ratings and classifications that ladder manufacturers assign to each unit are therefore often limited to or multiples of the OSHA ladder weight restrictions. They must be able to endure an 18-inch (41 cm) drop test using a 500-pound (226 kg) weight without breaking.

Basic Practice Rules

If your staff members exercise common sense, climbing ladders at work may be a rather safe activity. OSHA does, however, often include guidelines for safety precautions that are obvious like: Ladders must only be used for the intended purpose, only level, stable surfaces should be used with ladders.

 

That is unless they are stabilized or fastened to avoid unintentional movement, when a worker is on a ladder, no ladder is extended, relocated, or otherwise changed and on slick terrain, portable ladders are stabilized and fastened.

Inspecting The Ladder Before And After Using

 

Verify the stability of the ladder and make sure the ladder’s base is securely fastened and that all of the screws, nuts, and hinges are snug. Also, check for any additional structural problems as well as any loose or broken rungs, stairs, side rails and supports. Look for any paint, grease, or grime that can lead to falls and slides. And remove from service any ladders that have structural problems. Also note that electrical wire shouldn’t be too close to your ladder.

On the other hand, after using the ladder, verify if the stairs, side rails, rungs, and supports have sustained any additional structural damage and look for any bending and loose bolts, hinges, and screws. Also, verify the stability of the ladder again.

Setting The Ladder Correctly

Placement of the ladder is crucial. Make sure a portable ladder has non-slip base cushions and is set up on a level area before using it. In places with heavy traffic, erect a barricade to protect the ladder’s base. Make sure that any doors that open in your direction are locked or blocked. Before utilizing a stepladder, be sure it is completely open. The base of a straight ladder should be one foot away from a wall or other vertical surface for every four feet of height to the point of support, or at a four-to-one ratio.

Maintain Three Points Of Contact

 

Keeping three points of contact at all times—two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand—is one of the basic safety guidelines for utilizing ladders. In order to improve balance and stability and lower the danger of falls, this activity is essential.

However, adhering to this guideline becomes difficult in an industrial context because workers frequently need to ascend with equipment or goods. Ladders require workers to perform a delicate balancing act as they rise to breathtaking heights while just using one hand for support.

Climb Down Carefully

When descending the ladder, keep your back to it and the three points of contact intact. Take your time and don’t make any abrupt movements. When employing leaning ladders, such as extension ladders, the ladder’s angle should be set at a 1:4 ratio. For every four meters in height, the ladder’s base is one meter away from the structure.

Conclusion

Ladders are excellent tools with a wide range of applications. Nonetheless, in order to prevent mishaps or injuries, it’s critical to adhere to the correct ladder safety rules when utilizing them. The ladder safety months serves as a reminder to all businesses that this useful tool can be extremely dangerous if not used with caution.