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is a harness required when on a step ladder

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Published by SALUS

Whether a harness is required when using a step ladder depends on the specific regulations and the height of the ladder.

In some jurisdictions, fall protection is required when working from a portable ladder if a worker may fall 3 meters or more [1]. However, this requirement may not apply while the worker is moving up or down the ladder [1]. Additionally, 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 the work is a light duty task of short duration, the worker's center of balance is maintained, and 3-point contact is maintained [1].

For scaffolds, employees more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level must be protected from falling 6, 18. Acceptable fall protection methods include personal fall arrest systems or guardrail systems [2].

It is important to consult the specific regulations applicable to your location and work environment to determine the exact requirements for harness use on step ladders.

2 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Occupational Health and Safety Code

Page 93

Open source document

Source excerpt

- (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

[2] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)

Page 76

Open source document

Source excerpt

## 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA) - (iii) Each hoist shall be covered with insulated protective covers; - (iv) In addition to a work lead attachment required by the welding process, a grounding conductor shall be connected from the scaffold to the structure. The size of this conductor shall be at least the size of the welding process work lead, and this conductor shall not be in series with the welding process or the work piece; - (v) If the scaffold grounding lead is disconnected at any time, the welding machine shall be shut off; and - (vi) An active welding rod or uninsulated welding lead shall not be allowed to contact the scaffold or its suspension system. - (g) Fall protection. (1) Each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet (3.1 m) above a lower level shall be protected from falling to that lower level. Paragraphs (g)(1) (i) through (vii) of this section establish the types of fall protection to be provided to the employees on each type of scaffold. Paragraph (g)(2) of this section addresses fall protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers. NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (G)(1): The fall protection requirements for employees installing suspension scaffold support systems on floors, roofs, and other elevated surfaces are set forth in subpart M of this part. - (i) Each employee on a boatswains' chair, catenary scaffold, float scaffold, needle beam scaffold, or ladder jack scaffold shall be protected by a personal fall arrest system; - (ii) Each employee on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold shall be protected by both a personal fall arrest system and guardrail system; - (iii) Each employee on a crawling board (chicken ladder) shall be protected by a personal fall arrest system, a guardrail system (with minimum 200 pound toprail capacity), or by a three-fourth inch (1.9 cm) diameter grabline or equivalent handhold securely fastened beside each crawling board; - (iv) Each employee on a self-contained adjustable scaffold shall be protected by a guardrail

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