Ladder Use Work on ladders may be performed without fall protection if the duration of the work is less than 15 minutes. This is also acceptable if the work is above 10 feet or 3 meters from the ground. The work parameters for this application are as follows: - The workers waist remains between the rails. This can be accomplished by not overreaching. - The worker uses three-point contacts, continuously throughout the task. Two feet and one hand on the ladder. - The worker does not position the ladder near a hole or opening that would greatly increase the fall distance.

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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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# Identifying Common Fall Hazards (cont.) ## Ladders Falls from ladders account for approximately 100 fatalities each year (BLS). Ladders can be found on every jobsite and are used by all trades. Some of the most frequently cited serious ladder violations are; not securing a portable ladder or having it extended 3 feet above the upper landing before workers use it to reach an upper level, not providing a training program for workers on the proper construction, inspection, maintenance, care, use, and limitations of ladders, and not marking or tagging a defective ladder so that it would not be used before it has been repaired. The requirements for ladders can be found in Subpart X of the Construction Safety and Health Standards. When analyzing work areas for proper ladder use, consider the following questions: 1. Is the correct ladder for the job being used? 2. Are ladders inspected before use? 3. Are metal ladders prohibited near electrical sources? 4. Are stepladders being placed against the wall, in a closed position, which can cause them to slide out from underneath a worker? 5. Are - extension ladders secured at the top, and the bottom if possible? 6. Is the extension ladder installed at the correct angle (the 1 to 4 rule)? 7. Do side rails extend 3' above the working surface? 8. Are ladders being overloaded? 9. Is the extension ladder overextended? 10. Are materials being hoisted by a line, and not by the individual climbing the ladder? 11. Is the three-point-contact rule being followed? (i.e. both feet and one hand or both hands and one foot) 12. Never allow two ladders to be tied together! 13. Are all damaged ladders immediately tagged and repaired or destroyed? 14. Are ladder feet placed on a firm foundation? 15. Are proper climbing/working procedures being followed? 16. Never allow an individual to "bounce" or "walk" a stepladder to move it! 17. Are stepladders used in the fully open position only? 18. Are individuals working on the …

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# OSHA CLARK QUICK CARD™ # Portable Ladder Safety Tips Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. • Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder. • Avoid electrical hazards! - Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Avoid using a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment. - Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded. - Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) con- tact on the ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing (see diagram). . Only use ladders and appro- priate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their designed purposes. - 3-Point Contact - Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet. - Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step ladder) 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. (continued on reverse)

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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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# DON'T FALL FOR IT! # Fact Sheet #2 Choosing and Inspecting Ladders "You really got to weigh what you're going to get. You're taking a chance on this bad ladder for a day's pay. Maybe you'll get the day's pay if you get away with it. But if you don't get away with it, what's gonna happen to your family, to you, to the people around you?" Bill Millea, Roofer whose stepfather was injured in a fall when two men climbed an old ladder at once. Building and construction workers use ladders every day. Yet, like any piece of equipment that's not properly maintained, used, and respected, they can let you down. Whenever you reach for a ladder, your first step should always be to think about which ladder is right for the job. ## Choose Your Ladder Based On: Type There are two types of ladders: fixed and portable. Fixed ladders are in place on buildings; portable ladders are movable. If you require a portable ladder, assess whether you need a self-supporting ladder, like an “A” frame, or a straight or extension ladder. Length To determine the maximum working height on a portable ladder, check its duty rating sticker for the highest standing level and add 5 feet. Duty Rating Check the duty rating sticker to be sure the ladder can support you and your tools. Construction jobs should use a Type 1, 1A, or 1AA, which hold up to 250, 300, and 375 pounds, respectively. Material Be sure your ladder is made of a safe material for the environment you're working in. Use a fiberglass ladder if there's a chance of contact with electricity. When using a wooden ladder, be sure it's treated but not painted.

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Ladders # Ladders - Portable ## On this page What are portable ladders? What should you know about portable ladders before using them? What should you do before using a portable ladder? What should you avoid when using a portable ladder? ## What are portable ladders? How should you set up the ladder? What should you know about climbing portable ladders? What should you avoid when climbing portable ladders? A portable ladder is a ladder that can be easily moved or carried. Portable ladders are available in various grades: light duty or grade 3; medium duty or grade 2; heavy duty or grade 1. ## What should you know about portable ladders before using them? Falls from portable ladders are a major source of serious injury. Be aware of the hazards and take proper precautions to prevent falling. Incidents involving ladders are usually caused by: - Using the wrong ladder for the specific job. - Using ladders that are defective or in poor condition. - Improper care or use, including incorrect positioning, not securing the ladder properly, placing on poor footing, etc. - Workers not being trained adequately to maintain, use or work from ladders safely. Ladders - Portable CCOHS

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# What should you do before using a portable ladder? (cont.) ## What should you know about climbing portable ladders? (cont.) Clear the area around the base and top of the ladder of debris, tools and other objects. - Wear a safety harness and tie the lanyard off to a proper anchor (e.g., designed fixed support, temporary fixed support, or existing structural feature or equipment) when working 3 m (10 ft) or more off the ground or when working with both hands. Make sure that you have been trained on how to use fall protection devices safely. - Ensure that only one person is on a single-width ladder. Only one person is allowed on each side of a double-width ladder. - Maintain three-point contact by keeping two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times. - Grasp the rungs when climbing a ladder, not the side rails. If your foot slips on a ladder, holding onto rungs is easier than holding onto the side rails. 3 Point Contact - Wear protective footwear with slip-resistant soles and heels. - Ensure that all electrical equipment used during ladder work is in good condition and properly grounded. - Rest frequently to avoid arm fatigue and disorientation when the work requires you to look up and reach above your head. - Drape your arms over a rung and rest your head against another rung or side rail if you become dizzy or panicky. Climb down slowly. ## What should you avoid when climbing portable ladders? - Do not use ladders when a safe means of access is available and practical. - Do not use a ladder in passageways, doorways, driveways, or other locations where a person or vehicle can hit it. Set up suitable barricades or lock the doors shut. - Do not place a ladder against flexible or moveable surfaces. Ladders - Portable CCOHS