Safety Tidbit 7.15 - Best Practices when Using a Ladder

Safety Tidbit 7.15 – Best Practices when Using a Ladder

Reference: Best practices for safe use of ladders. Occupational Health and Safety Blog. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.hseblog.com/best-practices-for-safe-use-of-ladders/

My student wrote this Safety Tidbit, Mr. Tanner Melnyk – a Junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA, graduating in Spring 2023.

Ladders are widely used all around the world for occupational or recreational reasons. Ladders are handy for many situations; using them safely should be a top priority, as falling from any height results in serious injuries. Understanding the best practices and how to use a ladder safely is essential for humans. When using ladders in a workplace, the employer must ensure that each ladder used meets the requirements of OSHA 1910.25 Subpart D.

Requirements and Best Practices:

●      Position the ladder with the ladder rungs, steps, and cleats parallel, level, and uniformly spaced;

●      Do not coat wooden ladders with any material which may obscure structural defects;

●      Ensure metal ladders are made with corrosion-resistant material or protected against corrosion;

●      Verify ladder surfaces are free of puncture and laceration hazards;

●      Use ladders only for their designed purposes;

●      Inspect ladders before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects which could cause employee injury;

●      Secure ladders before climbing;

●      Inspect ladders before and after use to ensure proper use.

The proper use of ladders ensures less chance of an injury occurring. The primary injuries (approximately 60%) involving ladders are falls. The top five reasons that ladder accidents happen are incorrect extension ladder setup angle, inappropriate ladder selection, preliminary ladder inspection, improper ladder use, and lack of access to ladder safety tools and information. The ladders deemed unsafe must be equipped with a “Do not use” sign.

In conclusion, ladder safety is essential and can cause serious injuries when not properly followed. Ladder safety includes picking the right ladder, properly inspecting the ladder, making sure the area is safe, and securing the ladder before climbing. These and many more steps will allow ladder accidents to decrease and make the workplace safe.

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.

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