Write a toolbox talk on Ladders

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# EXTENSION LADDER SAFETY Date Posted: 05/15/2024 Although one of the most common tools used on a construction site, extension ladders can lead to severe injuries or even fatal incidents if improperly used. Ladders are involved in 20 percent of fall injuries among workers and 81 percent of construction worker fall injuries. The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that ladders were the primary source of 161 fatal work injuries in 2020 nationally. Additionally, a ladder was the primary source of 22,710 injuries that year. The BLS also says "construction and extraction" had the second-most nonfatal injuries in 2020, with 5,370. Only "installation, maintenance and repair" (5,790) had more nonfatal injuries associated with ladder use or misuse. ## WHAT IS AN EXTENSION LADDER WAC [redacted identifier] defines an extension ladder as "A non-self-supporting portable ladder which is adjustable in length." Also known as "portable ladders," extension ladders usually have two sections that operate in brackets or guides, allowing for adjustable lengths. Because extension ladders are not self-supporting, they require a stable structure that can withstand the intended load. ## PROPER EXTENSION LADDER SET-UP Setting the ladder at the correct angle is one of the most critical steps to a safe setup. Start by leaning the ladder at a 4:1 ratio. This means that the base needs to be one foot away for every four feet of height between the base and where the ladder contacts the structure you're leaning against. Too steep, and it could tip over backward. Too much angle and it could bend, or the bottom could slide out. ## EXTENSION LADDER DUTY RATINGS Even though they may all look the same, each ladder has a different load limit. WAC [redacted identifier] defines a ladder's maximum intended load as "the total load of all persons, equipment, tools, materials, transmitted loads, and other loads reasonably anticipated to be applied to a ladder or ladder component at…

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WORK SAFE KENTUCKY Free safety resources provided by KEMI HOME SAFETY RESOURCES SAFETY TRAINING SAFETY BLOG ABOUT KEMI CONTACT US O # Ladder Safety ## Print a Sign-In Sheet | Spanish Version Falling from portable ladders (step, straight, combination, and extension) is one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. • Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder. Contact Us | Privacy Policy ©2022 KEMI • Avoid electrical hazards! Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Avoid using a metal ladder near power lines exposed energized electrical equipment. or • Always inspect the ladder prior using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded. • Always maintain a three-point (two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing. • Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks, or hooks) for their designed purposes. • Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps, or feet. • Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., stepladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed position. • Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step/rung unless it was designed for that purpose. • Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement. • Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height. • Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder. • Do not overreach while working from a ladder. • An extension or straight ladder used to access an elevated surface must extend at least 3 feet above the point support. Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single, or extension ladder. • The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working len…

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## §3276. Portable Ladders. (cont.) (A) The employee shall climb or work with the body near the middle of the step or rung and shall not overreach from this position. When necessary to avoid overreaching, the employee shall descend and reposition the ladder. When it is not practical to work with the body near the middle of the step or rung, the ladder shall be secured to the top support, and the employee shall be protected by a personal fall protection system in accordance with Article 36 of the High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders, Article 24 of the Construction Safety Orders, Article 12 of the General Industry Safety Orders, or Article 1 of the Telecommunication Safety Orders. Operations or conditions not specifically covered by Article 36 of the High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders, Article 12 of the General Industry Safety Orders, or Article 1 of the Telecommunication Safety Orders shall comply with the fall protection provisions of Article 24 of the Construction Safety Orders. (B) Employees shall be prohibited from carrying equipment or materials which prevent the safe use of ladders. (C) When ascending or descending a ladder, the user shall face the ladder and maintain contact with the ladder at three-points at all times. - NOTE: Contact with the ladder at three points means two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot which is safely supporting the user's weight. (D) An employee shall not be permitted to stand and work on the top 3 rungs of a single or extension ladder unless there are members of the structure that provide a firm handhold or the employee is protected by a personal fall protection system in accordance Article 24 of the Construction Safety Orders, Article 36 of the High Voltage Electrical Safety Orders, Article 12 of the General Industry Safety Orders, or Article 1 of the Telecommunication Safety Orders. (E) Employees shall not sit, kneel, step or stand on the pail shelf, topcap or the step below the topcap of a step ladder. -…

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HAZARD ALERT LADDERS CPWR 【● THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING ## Am I in danger? If you use a ladder on a construction site, then the answer is YES. Falls are the leading cause of deaths and injuries in the construction industry. • Each year, more than 4,000* construction workers are injured so seriously by ladder falls that they miss work. • Each year, more than 70* construction workers die in falls from ladders. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT CARR, PH.D., P.E. ## Electrocution Hazard ## Falls aren't the only way to get hurt on a ladder! Contact with overhead power lines can be fatal. Make sure your ladder is positioned at least 10 feet away from power lines. Aluminum conducts electricity. A fiberglass ladder is a better choice when working near electricity. L LISTED SA-2902 No. AC 7736 METAL LADDER ADDERS SHOULD NO ELECTRICAL SHOCK A painter was electrocuted when a metal USED WHERE CONTACT MAY MADE WITH ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS ladder came in contact with a powerline. REFER TO INSTRUCTIONS LABEL *Source: Dong SX, Wang X, Katz R, West G, Bunting J. 2017. Fall Injuries and Prevention in the Construction Industry http://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/publications/Quarter1-QDR-2017.pdf ## To learn more visit: - www.StopConstructionFalls.org - OSHA's eTool: Falls - Ladder Safety http://bit.ly/eToolsFallsAndLadders To get more of these Hazard Alert cards and cards on other topics, Call [redacted phone] or visit www.cpwr.com - NIOSH Resources & Ladder Safety App http://bit.ly/ ResourcesAndLadderApp ## To avoid a fall ... © 2018, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. All rights reserved. CPWR is the research and training arm of NABTU. Production of this document was supported by cooperative agreement OH 009762 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH. 1 ## Inspect the ladde…

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MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS # Ladder Safety MASSsafety Works! Workplace Safety is No Accident ## How to Choose A Ladder It is important to be trained on how to choose the right ladder for the job. Some key points to consider when selecting a ladder include: • Will it be used indoors or outdoors? • - Will it be used near or around a source of electricity? - How much weight will be on the ladder including tools and materials? • What obstacles might be in the way? • What height(s) will you need to access? ## Safe Climbing Habits - Maintain three points of contact with the ladder when climbing up or down • Check the ladder before you use it for any defects or missing parts • Wear closed toe shoes with nonskid soles • Face the ladder when climbing up or down - Carry tools in a tool belt ## Dos and Don'ts - The spreader or locking device fully engages to secure the stepladder in open position Misuse or abuse of a ladder can result in falls, serious injury, or even death. For your safety, ## Don't • Stand on the top step of a stepladder or the top rung of an extension ladder • Lean or overreach to the sides of the ladder - Place a ladder on an uneven surface or on top of • another ladder • Move the ladder while someone is standing on it • Use a stepladder in a closed position ## Do • Use a ladder that is rated for the weight of the user, materials, and tools • Power lines are not insulated, Make sure the ladder will not come within 10 feet of energized power lines - Make sure the ladder extends three feet above the point of support • Secure the ladder and observe the 4:1 lean ratio • Allow only one person at a time on a ladder ## Ladder Safety Checklist Ladders are frequently used by many employees. Before you use a ladder, you can promote safety by checking whether the ladder is in good condition: • The anti-slip safety feet are intact • The ladder has not been painted to hide defects • - The weight capacity r…

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CPWR TOOLBOX THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH AND TRAINING TALK Falls: Extension Ladders Each year, construction workers fall from ladders and are injured or die. Most of these falls are from extension ladders and occur when the ladder slips, the supports move, or the worker loses balance. ## Raul's Story Raul was climbing down a 24-foot extensionladder. Suddenly the ladder slipped. He lost his balance and fell 12 feet onto a concrete surface. Raul suffered head injuries and a broken hand. * Have you ever fallen or do you know anyone who has fallen from an extension ladder? If so, what happened? * How could this incident have been prevented? ## Remember This ➤ Whenever possible, use an aerial lift or scaffold to work at heights. ➤ Conduct regular inspections and maintenance on extension ladders. Inspect the rails, rungs, feet, and spreaders or rung locks for defects or damage every time you use it. If you see any damage, tag it "do not use" and request another ladder. ➤ Always check your ladder's duty rating to make sure it will support you and your toolbelt! ➤ Use both hands when climbing up and down a ladder. ## Placement tips ➤ Set your ladder on a solid, stable base and at the correct 4-to-1 angle: for every 4 rungs, place the ladder back 1 foot. As a check, put your feet on the feet of the ladder and extend your arms straight forward; you should just be able to touch a rung of the ladder. ➤ Use the NIOSH Ladder Safety app to check the placement of your ladder (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/mobileapp.html). ➤ Screw a 2' x 4' cleat to the ground behind the ladder's feet to prevent the ladder from slipping backward. ➤ Tie off the top of the ladder, and the bottom if possible, to prevent it from slipping sideways. - Extend the ladder 3 feet above the landing. ## How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to prevent falls from extension ladders? - 1. - 2. OSHA Regulation: 1926.1053 ©2017, CPWR-The Center for C…

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# LADDER SAFETY Date Posted: 09/07/2016 Every year, many workers in Washington State are seriously injured from falling off ladders in their workplace. These injuries include dislocated limbs, broken bones, head injuries and even death from their injuries. ## THESE ACCIDENTS OCCUR BECAUSE: • The ladder moves, falls over, or is set up improperly. • The worker slips on the rungs, overreaches, or carries objects while climbing. • The worker stands on the top step of the ladder. • The ladder being used in not in good condition. ## INSPECTION - Before beginning any work involving a ladder: • Look for missing or loose cleats at the bottom. • Look for loose or missing screws, bolts or nails on job made ladders • Look for cracked, broken, split, dented or badly worn rungs, cleats or side rails. • Splinters on wood ladders, or corrosion on metal ladders. ## LADDER USE • Always use the right ladder for the task. • Keep the area at the top and bottom of the ladder clear of tool cords, tools material and garbage. • Always set the ladder on solid footing. • Use a twenty-five percent (25%) angle on the slope of an extension ladder. • When using extension ladders, the ladder must be 36" (3 feet) above the landing. • Always secure the top of an extension ladder to prevent it from sliding. • Don't lean to the side when on a ladder. • Do not carry tools or materials on a ladder. Use a hand line to raise or lower tools, equipment or materials. • Always face the ladder. • Use 3 point contact when climbing a ladder. • Only one person on a ladder at a time. • Never lean a stepladder; always fully open a stepladder. ## QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION • What is the most common ladder safety issue you see in your workplace? • Why is it important to inspect the ladder prior to each use? • Why is it important to extend a non self supporting ladder beyond the point of contact? ## PRESENTER TIPS • Pre-read the Toolbox Talk. Your comfort level and confidence will be hi…