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Write tool box talk on ladder safety

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Toolbox Talk: Ladder Safety

Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to educate participants on the safe use of ladders in the workplace, including hazard identification, control measures, and proper procedures to prevent accidents and injuries.

Introduction

Ladders are common tools in many workplaces, but improper use can lead to serious injuries. Understanding and following ladder safety protocols is crucial to ensure a safe working environment.

Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to ladder safety.

Key Points

  • Always inspect ladders before use to ensure they are in good condition and free of defects [1].
  • Use ladders only for their intended purpose and ensure they are placed on stable, level surfaces [2].
  • Maintain three points of contact when climbing or descending a ladder [3].
  • Do not carry objects that could cause you to lose balance while on a ladder [4].
  • Ensure ladders are not used near energized electrical equipment unless they are made of non-conductive materials [5].

Hazard Identification

Common hazards associated with ladder use include:

  • Slipping or falling: Can occur if the ladder is not stable or if the user loses balance.
  • Structural failure: Due to defects or overloading the ladder beyond its capacity.
  • Electrical hazards: Using metal ladders near live electrical wires can lead to electrocution.

Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.

Control Measures

Discuss the hierarchy of controls:

  • Engineering Controls: Use ladders with non-slip surfaces and ensure they are equipped with safety features like locking devices [6].
  • Administrative Controls: Train employees on proper ladder use and conduct regular inspections [7].
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use appropriate PPE such as non-slip footwear.

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Inspect the ladder for defects before use.
  2. Set up the ladder on a stable, level surface.
  3. Ensure the ladder is fully extended and locked in place.
  4. Maintain three points of contact while climbing.
  5. Do not overreach or lean to the side while on the ladder.

Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • Non-slip footwear: To prevent slipping while climbing.
  • Gloves: If handling materials that could cause injury.

Emphasize the importance of proper PPE use and maintenance.

Real-World Example or Case Study

Discuss a scenario where improper ladder use led to an injury, highlighting what went wrong and the lessons learned.

Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

  1. What are some common mistakes people make when using ladders?
  2. How can we ensure ladders are always in good condition?
  3. What should you do if you notice a defect in a ladder?

Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.

Emergency Procedures

Outline the steps to take in case of an emergency related to ladder use:

  1. Secure the area and prevent further use of the ladder.
  2. Provide first aid if necessary.
  3. Report the incident to a supervisor.
  4. Investigate the cause of the incident and implement corrective actions.

Questions and Answers

Encourage participants to ask questions and provide answers to common questions related to ladder safety.

  • Q: What should you do if a ladder is found to be defective?

A: Tag it as "Do Not Use" and remove it from service until repaired [4].

  • Q: How often should ladders be inspected?

A: Before each use and annually by a competent person [8].

Summary

Recap the main points covered in the toolbox talk:

  • Always inspect ladders before use.
  • Use ladders only for their intended purpose.
  • Maintain three points of contact.
  • Do not use ladders near electrical hazards unless they are non-conductive.

Action Items

List specific actions participants should take following this toolbox talk:

  1. Conduct a ladder inspection before each use.
  2. Report any defects or hazards immediately.
  3. Follow safe work procedures when using ladders.

Remember: Safety first, last, and always.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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8 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99)

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## ladder, such as 3-point contact; Clause 148(2)(b) replaced: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. - (c) where the person is standing on a ladder, stand in the centre between the side rails; - (d) where the ladder is a step ladder, not stand on the material shelf, the top or the top step of the ladder; and - (e) where the ladder is not a step ladder, not work from the top three rungs of the ladder. - (3) Clauses (2)(b), (c), (d) and (e) do not apply to a firefighter engaged in structural firefighting or rescue. - (4) An employer shall remove a ladder from service when it has loose, broken or missing rungs, split side rails or other defects that may be hazardous to the safety of a person at the workplace. - 149 (1) An employer shall ensure that a wooden portable ladder that is not commercially manufactured - (a) is made of No. 1 or No. 2 spruce, pine, or fir as graded according to the latest version of CSA standard CSA 0141, 'Softwood Lumber', or other lumber that provides an equivalent level of safety; Subsection 148(2) amended: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. Clause 149(1)(a) replaced: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000; amended: O.I.C. 2013-65, N.S. Reg. 53/2013. - (b) is not painted other than by being preserved with a transparent protective coating; - (c) if a single ladder, does not exceed 9 m in length; - (d) has rungs that are - (i) free of knots, - (ii) designed to carry a load of 200 kg placed at the centre, - (iii) uniformly spaced with a maximum rise of 300 mm, - (iv) secured to each side of the side rail of the ladder by at least 3 screws or spiral nails of adequate length or by attachments giving equivalent or \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

[2] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

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Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Division 2 - (12) Each employee uses at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing up and down it; and - (13) No employee carries any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall while climbing up or down the ladder. - (c) Portable ladders. The employer must ensure: - (1) Rungs and steps of portable metal ladders are corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize the possibility of slipping; Note: Oregon OSHA did not adopt 1910.23(c)(2). Instead, see OAR [redacted phone](4)(a). - (3) Ladders are not loaded beyond the maximum intended load; - Note to paragraph (c)(3): The maximum intended load, as defined in § 1910.21(b), includes the total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment, and materials being carried. - (4) Ladders are used only on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement; - (5) No portable single rail ladders are used; - (6) No ladder is moved, shifted, or extended while an employee is on it; - (7) Ladders placed in locations such as passageways, doorways, or driveways where they can be displaced by other activities or traffic: - (i) Are secured to prevent accidental displacement; or - (ii) Are guarded by a temporary barricade, such as a row of traffic cones or caution tape, to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder; - (8) The cap (if equipped) and top step of a stepladder are not used as steps; - (9) Portable ladders used on slippery surfaces are secured and stabilized; - (10) The top of a non-self-supporting ladder is placed so that both side rails are supported, unless the ladder is equipped with a single support attachment; - (11) Portable ladders used to gain access to an upper landing surface have side rails that extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface (see Figure D-1 of this section);

[3] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

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<!-- image --> - (ii) Fixed ladder rungs and steps on telecommunication towers must be spaced not more than 18 inches (46 cm) apart, measured between the centerlines of the rungs or steps; - (3) Steps on stepstools are spaced not less than 8 inches (20 cm) apart and not more than 12 inches (30 cm) apart, as measured between the centerlines of the steps; - (4) Ladder rungs, steps, and cleats have a minimum clear width of 11.5 inches (29 cm) on portable ladders and 16 inches (41 cm) (measured before installation of ladder safety systems) for fixed ladders, except that: - (i) The minimum clear width does not apply to ladders with narrow rungs that are not designed to be stepped on, such as those located on the tapered end of orchard ladders and similar ladders; - (ii) Rungs and steps of manhole entry ladders that are supported by the manhole opening must have a minimum clear width of 9 inches (23 cm); - (iii) Rungs and steps on rolling ladders used in telecommunication centers must have a minimum clear width of 8 inches (20 cm); and - (iv) Stepstools have a minimum clear width of 10.5 inches (26.7 cm); - (5) Wooden ladders are not coated with any material that may obscure structural defects; - (6) Metal ladders are made with corrosion-resistant material or protected against corrosion; - (7) Ladder surfaces are free of puncture and laceration hazards; - (8) Ladders are used only for the purposes for which they were designed; - (9) Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury; - (10) Any ladder with structural or other defects is immediately tagged ''Dangerous: Do Not Use'' or with similar language in accordance with § 1910.145 and removed from service until repaired in accordance with § 1910.22(d), or replaced; - (11) Each employee faces the ladder when climbing up or down it;

[4] Occupational Health and Safety Code

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## Use near energized electrical equipment 127 An employer must ensure that a ladder used during the servicing of energized or potentially energized electrical equipment is made of non-conductive material. ## Ladders on extending booms 128 (1) An employer must ensure that - (a) if a ladder is a permanent part of an extending boom on powered mobile equipment, no worker is on the ladder during the articulation, extension or retraction of the boom, and - (b) if outriggers are incorporated in the equipment to provide stability, no worker climbs the ladder until the outriggers are deployed. 128 (2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to professional firefighters working on fire-fighting equipment. ## Crawl Board or Roof Ladder ## Safe use 129 An employer must ensure that a crawl board or roof ladder used for roof work - (a) is securely fastened by hooking the board or ladder over the ridge of the roof or by another equally effective means, and - (b) is not supported by an eavestrough. ## Fixed Ladders ## Design criteria 130 (1) An employer must ensure that a fixed ladder installed on or after April 30, 2004 meets the requirements of PIP Standard STF05501 (February 2002), Fixed Ladders and Cages , published by the Construction Industry Institute. 130 (2) Despite the standards referenced in PIP Standard STF05501, an employer may - (a) use applicable Canadian material and process standards if the employer ensures that the fixed ladder is designed and installed in accordance with established engineering principles, and - (b) allow the inside diameter of a cage hoop to be as great as 760 millimetres. 130 (3) If a fixed ladder is made of a material other than steel, the employer must ensure that the design is certified by a professional engineer as being as strong as or stronger than that required by PIP Standard STF05501. 130 (4) The employer must ensure that a self-closing double bar safety gate, or equally effective barrier, is provided at ladderway floor openi

[5] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (General Occupational Safety and Health, Division 2, OSHA Oregon)

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Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Division 2 - (3) Ladder selection. The employer must ensure: - (a) Wood ladders comply with American National Standard ANSI/ASC A14.[redacted postal code]. - (b) Portable metal ladders comply with American National Standard ANSI/ASC A14.2-2007. - (c) Portable reinforced plastic (fiberglass) ladders comply with American National Standard ANSI/ASC A14.5-2007. Note to [redacted phone](3): Unaltered and properly maintained ladders that meet the ANSI standard in effect at the time of their manufacture comply with this standard. This includes job-made ladders designed and built according to American National Standard A14.4-1979 and portable ladders that comply with newer versions of the particular ANSI standard. - (4) Use - all portable ladders. The employer must ensure: - (a) Each self-supporting ladder or combination ladder used in a selfsupporting ladder mode is equipped with a metal spreader or locking device that securely holds the front and back sections in a fully open position while the ladder is in use. - (b) Each non-self-supporting ladder is erected to the angle represented in Figure D-1 of 1910.23(c)(11) unless otherwise instructed in writing by the ladder manufacture. Figure D-1 - Portable Ladder Set-up <!-- image -->

[6] Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99)

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constructed in accordance with the certified design of an engineer. - (4) An employer shall ensure that a temporary catwalk - (a) has a minimum clear width of 450 mm; - (b) is equipped with a guardrail in accordance with the requirements for a guardrail in subsection 142(4); and Clause 146(4)(b) amended: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. - (c) is able to withstand 4 times the maximum load likely to be imposed on it. Subsection 146(5) repealed: O.I.C. 2000-130, N.S. Reg. 52/2000. ## Ladders - 147 An employer shall ensure that a fixed ladder is designed, constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the latest version of ANSI standard ANSI A14.3 'American National Standard for Ladders - Fixed - Safety Requirements'. Subsection 147 amended: O.I.C. 2013-65, N.S. Reg. 53/2013. - 148 (1 ) An employer shall ensure that a portable ladder used at a workplace is - (a) able to withstand 4 times the maximum load likely to be imposed; - (b) clean and free of grease, oil or other substances that may cause slipping; - (c) maintained in a safe condition; - (d) inspected at all of the following times by a competent person to ensure all components are in an adequate condition and the ladder is safe to use - (i) before each use, - (ii) annually; Clause 148(1)(d) replaced: O.I.C. 2013-65, N.S. Reg. 53/2013. - (e) not used, where the inspection required in clause (d) identifies an inadequate condition with the ladder. - (2 ) An employer shall ensure that a person using a fixed or portable ladder shall - (a) face the ladder when climbing or descending; - (b) when more than 1 m above a safe surface, maintain adequate contact with the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

[7] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)

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<!-- image --> Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules AO 3-2015 Division 3 - (10) The top of a non-self-supporting ladder shall be placed with the two rails supported equally unless it is equipped with a single support attachment. - (11) Ladders shall not be moved, shifted, or extended while occupied. - (12) Ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment, except as provided in OAR [redacted phone] in Division 2/RR. - (13) The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step. - (14) Cross-bracing on the rear section of stepladders shall not be used for climbing unless the ladders are designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections. - (15) Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. - (16) Portable ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, shall either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or be tagged with 'Do Not Use' or similar language, and shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. - (17) Fixed ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, or corroded components, shall be withdrawn from service until repaired. The requirement to withdraw a defective ladder from service is satisfied if the ladder is either: - (i) Immediately tagged with 'Do Not Use' or similar language, - (ii) Marked in a manner that readily identifies it as defective; - (iii) Or blocked (such as with a plywood attachment that spans several rungs). - (18) Ladder repairs shall restore the ladder to a condition meeting its original design criteria, be

[8] Rules for the Administration of the Oregon Safe Employment Act (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)

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<!-- image --> Division 3 AO 3-2015 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(4). Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. Hist: OR-OSHA Admin. Order 6-1991, f. 3/18/91, ef. 4/15/91. OR-OSHA Admin. Order 3-2015, f. 10/9/15, ef. 1/1/16. ## Additional Oregon Rule For Ladders Note: OAR [redacted phone], 0055, and 0060 were repealed by OR-OSHA Admin. Order 1-1994, filed 4/27/94, effective 4/27/94. ## [redacted phone] Extension Ladders Extension ladders shall be equipped with necessary guide irons, locks, and hooks and shall be assembled so that the sliding (upper) section shall be on top of the base (lower) section. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(3). Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. Hist: APD Admin. Order 8-1989, f. 7/7/89, ef. 7/7/89. OR-OSHA Admin. Order 6-1991, f. 12/16/91, ef. 1/1/92. ## 1926.1054 - 1926.1059 (RESERVED) ## 1926.1060 Training Requirements The following training provisions clarify the requirements of 1926.21(b)(2), regarding the hazards addressed in Subdivision X. - (a) The employer shall provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary. The program shall enable each employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards. - (1) The employer shall ensure that each employee has been trained by a competent person in the following areas, as applicable: - (i) The nature of fall hazards in the work area; - (ii) The correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used; - (iii) The proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all stairways and ladders; - (iv) The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used; and - (v) The standards contained in this Subdivision.

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