Safety Tidbit #2.20 – New Requirements for Stepladders or Just Common Sense?
(b) Common sense
On November 18, 2016, OSHA published the new standard for Walking-Working Surfaces and Fall Protection in the Federal Register. As most of you know, I am not a fan of ladders, and I was reminded of this on a job site this week. I also believe it is import to inspect your ladders before each use. When you read the requirements for portable ladders below asked yourself is this requirement really just common sense?
For all ladders OSHA’s new 1910.23 standard requires the following:
• Wooden ladders are not coated with any material that may obscure structural defects
• Metal ladders are made with corrosion-resistant material or protected against corrosion
• Ladder surfaces are free of puncture and laceration hazards
• Ladders are used only for the purposes for which they were designed
• 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 (my personal favorite!)
• Any ladder with structural or other defects is immediately tagged “Dangerous: Do Not Use” and removed from service until repaired or replaced
• Each employee faces the ladder when climbing up or down it
• Each employee uses at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing up and down it
• No employee carries any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall while climbing up or down the ladder
More specifically, for portable ladders the following additional items:
• Rungs and steps of portable metal ladders are corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize the possibility of slipping
• Each stepladder or combination ladder used in a stepladder mode is equipped with a metal spreader or locking device that securely holds the front and back sections in an open position while the ladder is in use
• Ladders are not loaded beyond the maximum intended load;
· Note to paragraph (c)(3): The maximum intended load, as defined in §1910.21(b), includes the total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment, and materials being carried.
• Ladders are used only on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement
• No portable single rail ladders are used
• No ladder is moved, shifted, or extended while an employee is on it
• Ladders placed in locations such as passageways, doorways, or driveways where they can be displaced by other activities or traffic:
· Are secured to prevent accidental displacement; or
· Are guarded by a temporary barricade, such as a row of traffic cones or caution tape, to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder
• The cap (if equipped) and top step of a stepladder are not used as steps
• Portable ladders used on slippery surfaces are secured and stabilized
• The top of a non-self-supporting ladder is placed so that both side rails are supported, unless the ladder is equipped with a single support attachment
• Portable ladders used to gain access to an upper landing surface have side rails that extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing surface (see Figure D-1of this section)
• Ladders and ladder sections are not tied or fastened together to provide added length unless they are specifically designed for such use
• Ladders are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
I think you will agree many of the items listed above are just plain common sense. However, the key element, which OSHA nestled in the middle of their list but I recommend your ladder safety program put it right at the top INSPECT ALL LADDERS BEFORE USE. You can then list all inspection items afterward.
I hope this information was helpful and thanks for reading my Safety Tidbits ~ Bryan
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