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Accessing the roof via the access ladder and securing it

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Roof Access and Ladder Safety Checklist

Purpose: Ensure safe access to and from the roof using ladders, and secure the ladder to prevent accidents.

Pre-Operation Checks
  • Ladder Inspection
    • [ ] Check for any loose, broken, or missing rungs, split side rails, or other defects. Remove defective ladders from service immediately [1].
    • [ ] Ensure the ladder is free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards [2].
    • [ ] Verify that the ladder is not painted, except with a transparent protective coating [1].
  • Ladder Placement
    • [ ] Place the ladder on a stable and level surface [2].
    • [ ] Ensure the ladder is placed at an angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder [2].
    • [ ] Ensure the ladder extends at least 1 meter above the roof or landing [3].
During Operation
  • Securing the Ladder
    • [ ] Secure the ladder against accidental movement during use [3].
    • [ ] If the ladder cannot extend 3 feet above the landing, secure it at the top to a rigid support and provide a grasping device [2].
  • Climbing Safety
    • [ ] Maintain a three-point stance on the ladder at all times [3].
    • [ ] Do not carry objects that could cause loss of balance while climbing [4].
    • [ ] Use non-conductive ladders near energized electrical equipment [5].
Post-Operation
  • Ladder Storage
    • [ ] Store ladders in a dry, secure area to prevent damage.
    • [ ] Ensure ladders are not left unattended in areas where they could be a tripping hazard or be displaced by workplace activities [2].
Fall Protection
  • Personal Fall Arrest Systems
    • [ ] Use a personal fall arrest system if working from a height of 3 meters or more [6].
    • [ ] Ensure the fall arrest system is properly rigged and attached to an anchor point capable of supporting the required load [7].
Corrective Actions
  • [ ] Document any issues found during the inspection and the corrective actions taken.
Signature
  • Inspector Name: ______________________
  • Date: ______________________

This checklist is designed to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to prevent accidents during roof access and ladder use.

7 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] Occupational Health and Safety Code

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- (a) has a centre structural rail along the length of the ladder, - (b) is at least 1 metre wide, and - (c) is constructed of materials that are substantial enough in size to accommodate the maximum intended load. ## Manufactured portable ladder - 135 An employer must ensure that a portable ladder manufactured on or after July 1, 2009 meets the requirements of - (a) CSA Standard CAN3 Z11-M81 (R2005), Portable Ladders , - (b) ANSI Standard A14.1-2007, American National Standard for Ladders - Wood Safety Requirements , - (c) ANSI Standard A14.2-2007, American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Metal Safety Requirements , or - (d) ANSI Standard A14.5-2007, American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements . ## Securing and positioning - 136 A worker must ensure that - (a) a portable ladder is secured against movement and placed on a base that is stable, - (b) the base of an inclined portable ladder is no further from the base of the wall or structure than 1/4 of the distance between the base of the ladder and the place where the ladder contacts the wall, and - (c) the side rails of a portable ladder extend at least 1 metre above a platform, landing or parapet if the ladder is used as a means of access to the platform, landing or parapet. ## Fall protection 137 (1) An employer must ensure that a worker working from a portable ladder from which the worker may fall 3 metres or more uses a personal fall arrest system. - 137 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply while the worker is moving up or down the portable ladder. - 137 (3) Despite subsection (1), if it is not reasonably practical to use a personal fall arrest system, a worker may work from a portable ladder without fall protection if - (a) the work is a light duty task of short duration at each location, - (b) the worker's centre of balance is at the centre of the ladder at all times even with an arm extended beyond the side rails of the ladder, and - (c) the worker …

[3] General Regulation (N.B. Reg. 91-191)

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- (a) be experienced in the work overseen and trained in the role of safety monitor, - (b) be present at all times when an employee is in the control zone, - (c) have complete authority over the work as it re -lates to the prevention of falls, - (d) be located so as to have a clear view of the work being performed by the employee, - (e) be able to communicate with the employees be -ing protected without needing to yell, - (f) be instantly distinguishable from other workers, - (g) engage in no other duties while acting as the safety monitor, and - (h) monitor a maximum of eight workers. - 105 (7) An employer shall ensure that no employee en -ters the control zone unless the employee is required to do so by reason of the employee's work duties. - 105 (8) The owner of a place of employment, employer and contractor shall each ensure a travel restraint system - (a) is rigged to prevent the employee from reaching an unguarded edge, - (b) is, subject to paragraph (c), attached to an an -chor point capable of supporting two times the maxi -mum load likely to be applied to it, or - (c) when it is used on a roof with a slope greater than 3 in 12, is attached to an anchor point that is ca -pable of withstanding a 22 kN force or, if used under the direction of a competent person, four times the maximum load that may be generated in the fallarresting system. 96-60; 2010-159 ## Weatherproofing of roof - 106 An employer shall ensure that an employee who is engaged in the weatherproofing of a roof that - a) est expérimenté dans la tâche qu'il supervise et a reçu une formation quant à son rôle de chargé de la sécurité; - b) est présent en tout temps lorsqu'un salarié se trouve dans le périmètre de sécurité; - c) possède les pleins pouvoirs au regard du travail en ce qu'il se rapporte à la prévention des chutes; - d) se positionne de telle sorte à avoir une bonne vue de la tâche que le salarié effectue; - e) est ca…

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

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Division 3 AO 3-2015 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (1) When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface to which the ladder is used to gain access; or, when such an extension is not possible because of the ladder's length, then the ladder shall be secured at its top to a rigid support that will not deflect, and a grasping device, such as a grabrail, shall be provided to assist employees in mounting and dismounting the ladder. In no case shall the extension be such that ladder deflection under a load would, by itself, cause the ladder to slip off its support. - (2) Ladders shall be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards. - (3) Ladders shall not be loaded beyond the maximum intended load for which they were built, nor beyond their manufacturer's rated capacity. - (4) Ladders shall be used only for the purpose for which they were designed. (5) - (i) Non-self-supporting ladders shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the distance along the ladder between the foot and the top support). - (ii) Wood job-made ladders with spliced side rails shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance is one-eighth the working length of the ladder. - (iii) Fixed ladders shall be used at a pitch no greater than 90 degrees from the horizontal, as measured to the back side of the ladder. - (6) Ladders shall be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement. - (7) Ladders shall not be used on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental displacement. Slip-resistant feet shall not be used as a substitute for care in placing, lashing, or holding a ladder that is used upon slippery s…

[5] 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…

[6] 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);

[7] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)

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## S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (b) a portable ladder is secured against accidental movement during use; - (c) a metal or wire-bound portable ladder is not used where the ladder or a worker handling or using the ladder may come into contact with an exposed energized electrical conductor; and - (d) a portable ladder extends at least 1 metre above any platform, roof or other landing to which the ladder is used as a means of access. - (3) An employer or contractor shall ensure that each worker who handles or uses a portable ladder is instructed in the requirements of this section. - (4) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a stepladder: - (a) is not more than 6 metres high when set for use; - (b) has legs that are securely held in position by means of metal braces or an equivalent rigid support; and - (c) when in use, has a front section slope at an angle of 1 horizontal to 6 vertical. - (5) An employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) an extension ladder is equipped with locks that securely hold the sections of the ladder in the extended position; - (b) if a section of an extension ladder is extended, the section that is extended overlaps another section for at least 1 metre; - (c) an extension ladder consisting of 2 sections does not exceed 14.6 metres in length; and - (d) an extension ladder consisting of more than 2 sections does not exceed 20 metres in length. - (6) An employer or contractor shall ensure that no single portable ladder and no section of an extension ladder exceeds 9 metres in length. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s16-6. ## Use of portable ladders - 16-7 (1) If a worker uses a portable ladder other than a stepladder, an employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) the ladder is placed against the structure so that the slope of the ladder is 1 horizontal to 4 vertical; - (b) the worker does not extend any part of the worker's body except for the worker's arms beyond the side rails of the ladder;…

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