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Ladder inspection

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To ensure ladder safety in the workplace, regular inspections are crucial. According to the Occupational Safety General Regulations, employers must ensure that portable ladders are inspected by a competent person before each use and annually to confirm that all components are in adequate condition and safe to use. If any defects are found, the ladder should not be used until it is repaired or replaced [1]. Additionally, ladders should be clean and free of substances that may cause slipping, and they must be able to withstand four times the maximum load likely to be imposed [1].

Similarly, the Oregon Safe Employment Act requires that ladders be inspected before initial use in each work shift and more frequently if necessary to identify any visible defects that could cause injury. Any ladder with structural defects must be tagged as "Dangerous: Do Not Use" and removed from service until repaired or replaced [2].

For long-term safety, ensure that ladders are maintained according to the latest safety standards, such as the ANSI standards for different types of ladders [3]. Regular training for employees on ladder safety, including proper use and hazard recognition, is also essential to minimize risks [4].

4 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

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

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Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules Division 3 ## Appendix A to Subdivision X - Ladders This appendix serves as a non-mandatory guideline to assist employers in complying with the ladder loading and strength requirements of 1926.1053(a)(1). A ladder designed and built in accordance with the applicable national consensus standards, as set forth below, will be considered to meet the requirements of 1926.1053(a)(1): - · Manufactured portable wood ladders: American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A14.1-1982 - American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Wood Safety Requirements. - · Manufactured portable metal ladders: ANSI A14.2-1982 - American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Metal - Safety Requirements. - · Manufactured fixed ladders: ANSI A14.3-1984 - American National Standard for Ladders - Fixed - Safety Requirements. - · Job-made ladders: ANSI A14.4-1979 - Safety Requirements for Job-Made Ladders. - · Plastic ladders: ANSI A14.5-1982 - American National Standard for Ladders Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(3). Hist: OR-OSHA Admin. Order 6-1991, f. 3/18/91, ef. 4/15/91.

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

Page 107

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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;

[3] 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.

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

Page 81

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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 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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