Since March is Ladder Safety Month, let’s discuss portable ladders.
1)
The first way to ensure your safety is to use
the right ladder for the job. How high are you going? Does it require a step
ladder or an extension ladder? How much do you weigh? The weight includes if
you’re wearing a tool belt or tool vest! Are there electrical wires nearby? All
ladders receive a rating based on their maximum intended or working load – the
total weight that they can safety support:
|
Type IAA: Rugged
|
Special Duty
|
375 lbs.
|
|
Type IA: Industrial
|
Extra Duty
|
300 lbs.
|
|
Type I: Industrial
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Heavy Duty
|
250 lbs.
|
|
Type II: Commercial
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Medium Duty
|
225 lbs.
|
|
Type III: Household
|
Light Duty
|
200 lbs.
|
2)
Once you have the correct ladder, inspect it.
There are all sorts of ladder inspection checklists out there. Part of a ladder
inspection is verifying the labels are visible as it’s important to read the
safety information labels on the ladder. The climber is not considered
qualified or adequately trained to use the ladder until familiar with this
information.
3)
Speaking of training, the employer is
responsible in making sure that each employee who uses a ladder is trained
by a competent person on how to use a ladder correctly, how to recognize the
hazards related to ladders, and the procedures they must follow to minimize
these hazards.
4)
After inspecting your ladder, be sure you’re
using it properly. How to properly use an extension ladder and step ladder
will be covered in training, but here are the basics regardless of the type of
ladder:
- First, always face the ladder. Grab the ladder with both hands and ascend while facing it, ensuring that you have three points of contact on the ladder at all times. To maintain three points of contact, you must not be carrying anything. Items should be on a tool belt or tool vest.
- Make sure the ladder is locked into place before ascending and always make sure the to check the ladder’s stability before placing your weight on it. Never move or adjust a ladder while somebody is on it.
- While ascending, your center of gravity should be between the side rails. Do not overreach or lean while working so that you don’t fall off the ladder sideways or pull the ladder over sideways while standing on it.
- As tempting as it may be, the top of ladder should never be used as step. In fact, ladder manufacturers recommend never standing above the third highest step.
- Footwear also plays a part in falls from ladders. Wearing slip resistant shoes with heavy soles to prevent foot fatigue, and cleaning the soles of the shoes to maximize traction is important before climbing.
Ladder accidents are preventable. Safety training, ladder awareness, and education tools will help prevent people from being industry statistics. Why not use March to raise awareness in ladder safety in your organization?
For more ladder information, please visit these links:
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