Ladders might seem selfexplanatory – you set them

up, then get to work. But there isso much more to know. And some ofthat information could save your life.

What to know

You may not have come to yourjob with experience with all thetools and equipment.

But most everyone has climbed aladder at some point and feels prettysafe doing so.

Don’t be fooled: Thousands ofpeople are injured or killed in fallsfrom laddersevery year.

In fact, theyaccount for20% of fallfatalities.

Starting

Workingsafely on a ladder startswell beforeyou climb.

Before youstart the job, make sure to:• Choose the right one. Not every

ladder is right for every job. Selectone that is the right height and ofthe right type to do the job safely.Only use ladders for their intendedpurposes.

• Inspect it. Check the ladder forany defects. Make sure they’re freeof oil, grease, decals or anything

that could cause a slipping hazard.On an A-frame ladder, make surethe feet, locks and spreaders areall in good working order.If you have any doubts about aladder’s integrity, talk to a supervisor. It should be taken outof service and locked up until itcan be repaired to original condition or discarded.

• Check ratings. Make sure yourweight and the tools you’ll be carrying don’t exceed the ladder’smaximum load rating.

•Stay level. Setladders up sothe feet arelevel and onnon-slipperysurfaces, and•Keep clear.Mark off thearea aroundthe base of theladder to makesure no onebumps into itor is struck ifan object falls.

Good angles

Use a 1:4 ratio when setting up aportable ladder: For every four feetthe ladder extends vertically, its baseshould be one foot from the wall orvertical surface.

Also, the top of the ladder shouldextend 36 inches above the workingsurface it leads to.

Ladder safety: Know the right steps� One of the simplest tools can be deadly if you’re not careful

Here are several rules tokeep you safe on a ladder.

Some dos:

• Always face forward whenclimbing the ladder.

• Keep three points of contactwith the ladder’s rungs atall times (in other words,make sure at least one handis always on the ladder).

• Use shoes with good tread.

• Only one worker to a ladderat a time unless it is specifically designed tosafely carry multiple people.

• If you feel sick or dizzy on a ladder, wrap your armsaround the rungs and restyour head against the ladder until you feel better.Then come down slowly.

And some don’ts:

• Don’t carry tools on a ladder unless you can keepthem in a tool belt and itwon’t interfere with yourmobility.

• Don’t move, shift or extenda ladder while it’s in use.

• Don’t lean to work from a ladder. If you can’t reach,climb down and reset theladder.

• Don’t use metal laddersaround electrical equipment.

• Don’t lean a closed A-frameladder against a wall.

• Don’t use the top rung as a step.

SAFE USE

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SIGNATURE

DATE

NAME1.True. Check for signs of

wear and tear or defects. Ifyou find anything wrong,report it to a supervisor.

2.False. Wrap your armsaround the rungs and restyour head against the ladder until you feel better.Then descend slowly.

3.True.Be sure to account forthe weight of any toolsyou’ll be carrying. Thesetools should be kept in atool belt that won’t limityour mobility.

4.False. You need to have atleast three points of contactwith the ladder –at leastone hand at all times.

5.True. Make sure to clean offanything that could causeyou to slip or lose your gripon a rung.

6.True.Wait until co-workersare completely off beforegetting on.

7.True.It’s important to prepare to do jobs safely toavoid injury or worse.

8.False.To avoid peopleknocking over a ladder,keep the area around thebase clear and marked off.Even better: Have a co-worker direct peopleaway from the area.

9.False. Keep ladders at a 1:4ratio –the ladder is onefoot away from the wall forevery four feet vertical.

10. True. To allow for safetygetting on and off the ladder, have it 36 inches (3 feet) above the surface.

ANSWERS1 Ladders should be inspectedbefore each use to make sure

they’re safe.

� true � false

2 If you find yourself feelingdizzy on a ladder, climb down

right away.

� true � false

3 When determining whether aladder can safely support you,

consider both your weight and theweight of any materials you’ll becarrying.

� true � false

4 You must maintain at least twopoints of contact with a ladder

at all times.

� true � false

5 Before using a ladder, check tobe sure there is nothing slippery

on the rungs, such as oils, grease ordecals.

� true � false

6 Unless it’s specifically designedto allow for multiple workers,

only one person should be on a ladder at a time.

� true � false

7 One out of five fatal workplacefalls is from a ladder.

� true � false

8 Work as quickly as possible on a ladder because the longer

you’re up there, the more chancethere is of someone accidentallyknocking it over.

� true � false

9 Ladders should be set up at a1:6 ratio, meaning their bases

should be set one foot away fromthe wall for every six feet they rise.

� true � false

10 Make sure to have the ladderextend three feet above the

working surface it’s leaning on.

� true � false

In some cases, it’s just not feasible tohave fall protection devices on ladders(fixed ladders are an exception).

That means it’s extra important tokeep your focus and pay attention to your surroundings at all times.

For portable ladders, OSHA doesn’t actually require fall arrest systems.

However, your workplace may requirefall protection devices and other PPE.

Always follow your employer’s instructions and policies on fall protection devices and PPE rules.

FALL PROTECTION ON LADDERS

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