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Supported accessStairways and Ladders

1926 Subpart X

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• Stairways and ladders cause many injuries and fatalities among construction workers

• About half the injuries caused by slips, trips and falls from ladders and stairways require time off the job

Hazards

Improper use of the top rung of a step ladder

Many injuries come from employees taking short cuts

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• There must be a stairway, ladder or ramp at points of access where there is an elevation break of 19 inches or more.• At least one point of access must be kept clear.

19 inches or More

Break in elevation

Stairway or Ladder

Stairways

• Stairways with four or more risers or higher than 30 inches, along each unprotected side or edge.

• Do not use stairs before hand rails are installed

• Report any missing or broken handrail to your foreman

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Rails must be able to withstand a force of 200 pounds

Handrail and Top Rail Strength

•Only use pan stairs if filled with filler material at least to the top edge of each pan •Report this condition to your foreman

Pan

Temporary Stairways

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Dangerous Conditions• When using stairs watch for

possible tripping or slippery hazards. If you can correct the problem yourself safely, then do so. If not report it to your foreman.

• Stairway parts must be free of projections which may cause injuries or snag clothing.

• Use handrails when using stairs so if you do slip or lose your balance you have something to hold onto.

Portable ladder safety• Falls from portable ladders (step,

straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries.

• The ladder is one of the most frequently used pieces of equipment on the job. They are also a tool that we use improperly which leads to many severe injuries.

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Major factors contributing to ladder accidents

• Climbing or descending improperly• Using broken or damaged ladders • Carrying objects while climbing or

descending • Over-reaching and not

repositioning the ladder to a safer position

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• Check that the footing is secure, do not erect a ladder on a slippery surface.• Never use any makeshift

foundation such as drums, boxes or blocks to get extra height.

Prevent from displacement• Failing to secure or

tie-off the ladder at the top or failure to secure the ladder at the bottom

Portable ladder safety

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•Use a hand line to lift materials and tools

•Never lift electric power tools by their cords

•Don't carry tools in hand, use a tool belt.

•Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder.

• labels must remain on the ladder, do not remove ,paint or cover

Ladder load capacity

• Each ladder type has a load capacity rating based on the type of ladder and is labeled as above.

• The rated maximum weight includes the weight of the worker and the equipment they are carrying.

• Exceeding the load capacity may cause the ladder to collapse.

Portable ladder safety• Generally, commercial ladders are

constructed properly and of sound material. However, after they have been in use for some time, they are often damaged by rough handling, being struck by heavy objects and other causes. Failure to report a defect on the part of anyone using a damaged ladder may cause serious injury.

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Inspect Daily

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Defective Ladders

•Defective Ladders Immediately Marked “Do Not Use”•Remove for job asap

• DESTROY!

Top and bottom of ladders kept clear

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Power Lines

• 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.

• A minimum safe distance is no less than 10 feet

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Ladders in Access Areas• Secure Ladder or

Barricade area to Prevent Displacement in Traffic Areas

• Do not be place ladders in front of doors which open towards the ladder unless the door is locked or otherwise barricaded from opening and warning signs are posted.

Ladders• Face the ladder when climbing

maintaining 3 point contact with the ladder

• Wear proper footwear with non-slip soles.

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Ladders• Observe the “belt

buckle” rule- do not lean over the sides of the ladder past your belt buckle , i.e. (do not over reach).

• Change the position of the ladder as often as necessary to keep within reach of the work.

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Extension Ladders

4 TO 1 RatioPlace an extension ladder at a 75° angle. The set-back (“S”) needs to be 1 ft. for each 4ft. of length (“L”) to the upper support point, i.e. (ladder is extended 28' feet, it's base should be 7' feet from the building).

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Extension Ladders

• Side rails should extend at least 3 feet above upper landing surfaces

• Do not stand above highest "safe standing level" prescribed by ladder's manufacturer, i.e. above top three rungs.

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Ladder Landings• Unprotected sides and

edges of Ladder landings shall be provided with guardrail system per Subpart M

Step Ladders• Set ladders on a firm, level base.

A mudsill may be necessary for work on dirt or other soft surfaces where ladder feet could sink into the surface.

• Only use step ladders when fully opened with spreader bars locked.

Step Ladders

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• More than one employee shall not work from the same ladder unless it is specifically designed for two people or more.

• Do not stand on the top two steps of stepladder

Ladder designed for two people who follow directions. You can not stand on the first rung from the top

Ladder Fall Protection

• Straight, extension, and step ladders are considered a “safe work platform” when properly selected, inspected, set-up and used.

FALL PROTECTION

a) The employee cannot reposition the ladder and must work backwards (facing away from the ladder).

b) The employee is using both hands to push, pull or handle tools/equipment/material that places the worker in a potentially unstable position, i.e. pulling on a wrench.

c) The worker must extend his/her "belt buckle" area beyond the side rail.

Normally, fall arrest equipment is not required when using a portable ladder. Fall arrest equipment (anchored to a suitable independent anchorage point) should be used when working on or above the third rung from the bottom of a ladder and:

FALL PROTECTIONContinued

d) The portable ladder is used near a platform handrail, leading edge, or other similar area with significant differences in elevations.

e) Note that the fall arrest equipment must be anchored independently of the ladder to a suitable anchorage point.

f) If any of the above cannot be met, then the ladder cannot be used and some other method must be selected such as the erection of scaffolding.

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Job-Made Ladders• Only use wood that is

clear of defects (open or loose knots, splits)

• Insert filler blocks between cleats

• Secure the ladder at the top

• Inspect all job-made ladders for damage

• Ensure even spacing for cleats

Chicken Ladders• Ladders made by

fastening cleats across a single rail shall not be used;

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