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safe ladder use

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Toolbox Talk: Safe Ladder Use

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

Objective

This toolbox talk aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely use ladders in the workplace, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.

Introduction

Ladders are a common tool in many workplaces, but they can also be a source of serious injuries if not used correctly. Falls from ladders are a leading cause of workplace injuries, highlighting the importance of proper ladder safety practices. This toolbox talk will cover key aspects of safe ladder use, including inspection, setup, climbing techniques, and hazard awareness.

Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to ladder incidents or near misses.

Key Points

  • Ladder Selection: Choosing the right type and size of ladder for the task is crucial [1].
  • Ladder Inspection: Always inspect a ladder before use to identify any defects 1, 4.
  • Proper Setup: Setting up the ladder at the correct angle and on a stable surface is essential for stability [2].
  • Safe Climbing: Maintaining three points of contact and avoiding carrying heavy loads while climbing are key to preventing falls 7, 9.
  • Hazard Awareness: Being aware of surrounding hazards, such as electrical sources and traffic, is important for safe ladder use 6, 9.

Hazard Identification

Common hazards related to ladder use include:

  • Falls from height: Resulting from improper ladder setup, overreaching, or loss of balance [3].
  • Ladder collapse: Due to structural defects, overloading, or using the wrong type of ladder 6, 5.
  • Electrical hazards: Contact with energized electrical equipment when using metal ladders [4].

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

Control Measures

Discuss the hierarchy of controls: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, Personal Protective Equipment

  • Elimination: If possible, eliminate the need for ladder use by using alternative equipment such as scaffolding or aerial lifts.
  • Substitution: Use a ladder made of non-conductive material when working near electrical sources [5].
  • Engineering Controls: Ensure ladders are equipped with slip-resistant feet and that fixed ladders have safety devices 5, 8.
  • Administrative Controls: Implement safe work procedures, provide training on proper ladder use, and conduct regular inspections 2, 1.
  • Personal Protective Equipment: Use appropriate PPE, such as fall protection equipment, when working at heights [3].

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Inspect the ladder: Before each use, inspect the ladder for any visible defects, such as broken rungs, loose steps, or damaged side rails 1, 4.
  2. Set up the ladder properly: Place the ladder on a stable and level surface. For non-self-supporting ladders, use the 4:1 rule (the base of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height) [2].
  3. Secure the ladder: Secure the ladder to prevent it from slipping or moving. This can be done by tying it off at the top or using ladder stabilizers 4, 5.
  4. Maintain three points of contact: When climbing, always maintain three points of contact with the ladder (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) [4].
  5. Avoid overreaching: Keep your body centered between the side rails and avoid reaching too far to either side [4].

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

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • Footwear: Wear slip-resistant footwear to ensure a firm grip on the ladder rungs.
  • Gloves: Use gloves to improve grip and protect hands from injury.
  • Fall Protection: When working at heights of 3 meters or more, use a personal fall arrest system [3].

[Emphasize the importance of proper PPE use and maintenance]

Real-World Example or Case Study

[Provide a detailed description of a relevant real-world scenario or case study]

[Discuss what went wrong or right, 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 ladder hazards you have observed in the workplace?
  2. What steps can we take to improve ladder safety on our job site?
  3. How can we ensure that ladders are properly inspected and maintained?

Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.

Emergency Procedures

[Outline the steps to take in case of an emergency related to the topic]

  1. In the event of a fall, immediately call for medical assistance.
  2. Do not move the injured person unless there is an immediate danger.
  3. Secure the area to prevent further incidents.
  4. Report the incident to your supervisor and complete an incident report.

Questions and Answers

[Encourage participants to ask questions]

[Provide answers to common questions related to the topic]

  • Q: How often should ladders be inspected?

A: Ladders should be inspected before each use and after any event that could affect their safe use 1, 4.

  • Q: What should I do if I find a damaged ladder?

A: Immediately tag the ladder as "Dangerous: Do Not Use" and remove it from service until it is repaired or replaced 1, 6.

  • Q: What is the proper angle for setting up a non-self-supporting ladder?

A: The proper angle is 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 [2].

Summary

[Recap the main points covered in the toolbox talk]

  • Always inspect ladders before use.
  • Set up ladders properly on stable surfaces.
  • Maintain three points of contact while climbing.
  • Be aware of surrounding hazards.

Action Items

[List specific actions participants should take following this toolbox talk]

  1. Review the ladder safety procedures outlined in this toolbox talk.
  2. Inspect all ladders in your work area and report any defects.
  3. Practice proper ladder setup and climbing techniques.

Remember: Safety is everyone's responsibility. Use ladders safely and prevent falls.

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

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

Page 116

Open source document

Source excerpt

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 -->

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

Page 138

Open source document

Source excerpt

## 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;…

[4] Occupational Health and Safety Code

Page 91

Open source document

Source excerpt

## 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 (Construction, Division 3, OSHA Oregon)

Page 998

Open source document

Source excerpt

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…

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