Should I tie off a ladder

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CCOHS CCHST Ladders Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail # Ladders - Securing Portable ## On this page How do you secure portable ladders? ## How do you secure portable ladders? - Begin securing and stabilizing the ladder from the bottom up (from the footing). - Set up your ladder on a firm, level, and stable surface. - Secure both the base and top of a ladder to prevent movement. Securing a ladder at the foot does not prevent a side slip at the top. - Brace or tie off the ladder near the base. If there is no structure to tie off, use a stake in the ground. Do not use a barrel, box, or another loose object as a support for a ladder. - Use ladders equipped with non-slip feet. Otherwise, nail a cleat to the floor or use a device designed for this purpose. - Remove all the debris and clutter around the base of the ladder. - Rest the top of the ladder against a solid surface that can withstand the load. Do not let the top of the ladder rest on a gutter, window sash, windowpane, or anything that can break or move. - Use wall grips on the risers to prevent side slipping when a ladder is leaning against a smooth surface. - Attach a ladder stay (i.e., ladder stabilizer) across the back of a ladder where a surface cannot stand the load. Extend the stay across a window for firm support against the building walls or window frame. - Guard or fence off the area around a ladder that is placed in an area where persons have access. If a barricade is not possible, have someone hold and guard the bottom of the ladder to prevent another person from bumping into the ladder. Ladders Securing Portable CCOHS

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# Ladders - Extension (cont.) ## What should you do to safely secure extension ladders? (cont.) - Raise and lower ladders from the ground. Ensure that locking ladder hooks are secure before climbing. - For access to an elevated work surface, erect ladders so that a minimum of 1 m (3 ft) extends above a landing platform. Tie the top at support points. - Use care when getting on and or off the ladder at the top or bottom in order to avoid tipping the ladder over sideways or causing the ladder base to slide. - Brace or tie off the ladder near the base. If there is no structure to tie off to, use a stake in the ground. - Leave all tie-off devices in place until they must be removed before taking the ladder down. - Maintain the minimum overlap of sections as shown on a ladder label. Refer to safety regulations. Set up barricades and warning signs when using a ladder in a doorway or passageway. Note: When working 3 metres (10 feet) or more above ground, a fall protection program may be necessary. Wear a safety belt or harness with the lanyard tied appropriately to the structure. Make sure that you follow working at heights training that includes how to use fall protection devices safely. Fly (upper section) Extension Tie-off Lock 4X Base (lower section) 1X Non-slip Feet ## What should you avoid when using extension ladders? - Do not use ladders near power lines. Keep ladders and other tools at least 10 feet away from power lines. - Do not use ladders unless they have been inspected by a trained or competent person. Ladders - Extension CCOHS

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# CONSTRUCTION STANDARD (cont.) ## R 408.[redacted postal code] General requirements. (cont.) (12) The rungs and steps of fixed metal ladders that are manufactured after January 14, 1991, shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping. (13) The rungs of steps of portable metal ladders shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid- resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping. (14) Except when portable ladders are used to gain access to fixed ladders, such as ladders on utility towers, billboards, and other structures where the bottom of the fixed ladder is elevated to limit access, when 2 or more separate ladders are used to reach an elevated work area, the ladder shall be offset with a platform or landing between the ladders. (15) Ladder components shall be surfaced in a manner that prevents employee injury due to punctures or lacerations and prevents the snagging of clothing. ## R 408.[redacted postal code] Inspection; faults and defects. Rule 1121. (1) A ladder, as prescribed in this part, shall be used to provide safe access to all elevations, unless other means, such as steps, stairs, ramps, runways, or elevators, are provided. (2) A ladder shall be inspected before use and after it has fallen or been involved in an accident to determine its condition. (3) A ladder that has any of the following faults and defects shall be immediately tagged "DANGEROUS - DO NOT USE" and shall be withdrawn from service: (a) Broken, worn, or missing rungs, cleats, or steps. (b) Broken or split side rails. (c) Broken or bent guides or iron spreaders. (d) Broken or bent locks. - The tag shall be as prescribed in Construction Safety Standard Part 22 "Signals, Signs, Tags, and Barricades," as referenced in R 408.41102a. (4) Fixed ladders that have structural defects, such as broken or split rails or corroded components, shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. The…