Working at Heights – Ladders

Working at Heights – Ladders

Ladders should be used when other feasible methods of accessing work above 6’ have been exhausted.

Two of the more common causes of falls are using ladders improperly, and using makeshift ladders. Take the time to get the proper ladder for the job and use it properly. Design of all ladders shall be such as to produce a ladder without structural defects or accident hazards such as sharp edges, burrs, etc.

All Ladders

• All employees using ladders shall receive training.
• Each ladder has to be inspected by a competent person every six months (Safety Mechanics). All ladders passing inspection shall have a label affixed to the ladder stating the date and who performed the inspection. Ladder inspection form in Appendix II shall be used as guidance for inspection of all ladders.
  • If a ladder is involved in a tip over it must be inspected before reuse.
• Ladders not inspected in the last year cannot be used.
• The person using the ladder must inspect each ladder visually before each use.
• All defective ladders must be tagged as such and removed from service. (destroyed)
• The spacing of rungs or steps shall be on 12-inch centers.
• Always follow the belt buckle rule: keep your belt buckle within the side-rails of the ladder.
• If the work to be performed from the ladder will take more than fifteen minutes, try to do the job differently. Examples include a scaffold, cage on a forklift, genie, or JLG.
• Three-point contact must be maintained when climbing ladders.
• All sharp points and edges on the surface must be removed or covered.
• Ladders must be maintained in good usable condition at all times.
• When in doubt of what type of ladder to use consult your supervisor.
• The base of the ladder must be placed on secure footing.
• When going up or down a ladder the person climbing must face the ladder.
• All ladders shall have nonconductive side-rails if they are used where employees or the ladder could contact exposed energized parts.
• Wood ladders shall not be painted.

Step Ladders

• Stepladders shall not exceed 20 feet in length. (measured length of the front side rail).
• The bottoms of the four rails are to be supplied with insulating non-slip material for the safety of the user.
• Rungs and steps shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize the possibility of slipping.
• A metal spreader or locking device of sufficient size and strength to securely hold the front and back sections in the open position shall be a component of each stepladder.
• No work shall be done off the top two steps of a stepladder.
• Always follow the belt buckle rule: keep your belt buckle within the side-rails of the ladder.
• If working in front of a doorway always block the door open so no one will open the door and cause a fall.
• If working in a walkway set out cones to alert employees passing by of the potential of falling objects.
• A stepladder shall not be used as a straight ladder.
• When ascending or descending, the climber must face the ladder.
• The back of a stepladder may not be used for climbing.

Straight And Extension Ladders

• The maximum length of individual sections of straight ladders shall not exceed 30 feet (9.14 m), two section ladders shall not exceed 48 feet (14.63 m), and over two-section ladders shall not exceed 60 feet in length.
  • Overlap of ladder sections up to 36 feet (10.97 m) in length shall be at least three feet.
  • Overlap of ladder sections from 36 feet (10.97 m) to 48 feet (14.63 m) shall be four feet.
  • Overlap of ladder sections from 48 to 60 feet (18.29 m) shall be 6 feet (1.83 meters).
• Straight and Extension ladders must extend three feet beyond the landing.
• The minimum width between side rails must be at least 12 inches (30.48 cm).
• Straight and extension ladders must be tied off at the top when in use.
• Person on the ground must hold the ladder while the first person climbs the ladder to tie it off.
• Only one person at a time is allowed on a ladder.
• Always follow the belt buckle rule when working from ladders. Keep your belt buckle within the side-rails.
• Follow the 4 to 1 rule for straight and extension ladders to ensure proper angle. For every four feet up the base should be one foot out at the base.
• Do not use straight ladders as a walkway or platform
• Inspect all ladders before each use.