LADDER SAFETY

(Reviewed 9/27/207)

1. An Introduction to Ladder Safety

• Each year, nearly 300 people are killed and 65,000 seriously injured to
careless use of ladders.

• These tragedies can be avoided. The fact is, a ladder is one of the
simplest, and most east-to-use tools in existence. It takes little more than
common sense, combined with the application of the basic rules of ladder
safety, to prevent ladder-related deaths and injuries.

• The aim of this training to teach you how to use a ladder properly and
safely. You’ll learn how to choose the right ladder for every job, how to
spot a damaged ladder, how to properly set up a latter, how to climb, and
how to work safely while on a ladder. You’ll also learn how to take care
of and store your ladder to ensue that it provides yeas of service.

2. Selecting A Ladder

• Ladders are manufactured for specific a use, which means, for example, a
job that can be safely performed with a step ladder could become
dangerous if an extension ladder us used instead.

• You must evaluate the work environment and know what ladders are
available before you can choose the right ladder for the job. Keep in mind
all potential hazards. Does electricity pose a possible danger? Will the
ladder be resting on an uneven surface? Is the area crowded with people
and materials? Are there obstructions overhead?

• In addition, you must keep in mind the physical requirements of the job.
How much room will there be to position the ladder? How much weight –
combining the user, tools, and materials—will be on the ladder? How
long will the ladder need to be to safely perform the job?

• If non-conductivity is not important, then weight should be a major

consideration when choosing a ladder. Aluminum ladder are the lightest,
followed by fiberglass, with wood the heaviest.
3. Types of Ladders

• Portable ladders are typically manufactured form wood, aluminum,, or

fiberglass. The portable-ladder classification includes straight ladders,
extension ladders, trestle ladders, and self supporting stepladders.
• You probably have most, if not all, of these ladders at your workplace.
You may also have ladders specially made for a specific purpose.
Familiarize yourself with all of the ladders available to you. This will help
you select the proper ladder for the job.

• DUTY RATING. A ladder duty rating tells you its maximum weight
capacity. There are four categories of the duty ratings:

a) Type IA – These ladders have a duty rating of 300 pounds.

Type IA ladders are recommended for extra-heavy-duty
industrial use.

b) Type I – These ladders have a duty rating of 250 pounds. Type

I ladders are manufactured for heavy-duty use.

c) Type II – These ladders have a duty rating of 225 pounds.

Type II ladders are approved for medium-duty use.

d) Type III – These ladders have a duty rating of 200 pounds.

Type III ladders are rated for light-duty use.

• Never load a ladder with a weight in excess of its duty rating. Doing so
could damage the ladder and cause injury.

• Use a towline to bring up tools and supplies.

• Do not assume that a longer ladder has a higher duty rating. There is no
relationship between length and duty rating. Before using any ladder, check
its duty rating by looking at the sticker on the side of the ladder. If the sticker
is missing, notify your supervisor.
(ANSI requires a duty rating sticker be placed on the side of every ladder)

• DETERMINING THE RIGHT LADDER LENGTH. To help ensure

safety when using a ladder, do not use a ladder that is too long or too short. If
you must stand on or above the first step from the top of a step ladder, or the
third rung from the top of an extension ladder, it’s too short. Your ladder is
too long if ceiling height prohibits proper ladder set-up.

• Ladder labels are required by ANSI standards to list the highest standing
level.
 EXTENSION LADDER LENGTH SELECTION GUIDE

Ladder Size Maximum Working Range to Maximum

Extended Top Support Accessible Roof
Length Height Range
16’ 13’ 7 ½’ to 12 ½’ 4 ½’ to 9 ½’
20’ 17’ 9 ½’ to 16 ½’ 6 ½’ to 13 ½’
24’ 21’ 11 ½’ to 20’ 8 ½’ to 17’
28’ 25’ 13 ½’ to 24’ 10 ½’ to 21’
32’ 29’ 15 ½’ to 28’ 12 ½’ to 25’
36’ 32’ 17’ to 31’ 14’ to 28’
40’ 35’ 19’ to 33 ½’ 16’ to 30 ½’
44’ 39’ 21’ to 37 ½’ 18’ to 34 ½’
48’ 43’ 23’ to 46 ½’ 20’ to 38 ½’

• According to the extension ladder length selection guide above, in order to

access a roof 25’ from the ground, the minimum ladder length required word
be 32’

• Never over-extend an extension ladder. See the following chart for ANSI
(American National Standards Institute) minimum overlap requirements.

LADDER SIZE OVERLAP (FEET)

Type I and IA Type II and III
Up to and Including 32’ 3’ 3’
Over 32’ Up to and Including 36’ 4’ 4’
Over 36’ Up to and Including 48’ 5’ 5’
Over 48’ 6’ ----

Remember, you must never stand on or above the third rung form the top of an
extension ladder, or the second step from the top of a stepladder

• THE WORK ENVIRONMENT. Your choice of ladders is also influenced

by the environment of your work site. For example, you’d want to use a
clean, dry all wood or fiberglass ladder if you were working near sources of
electricity. That’s because metal ladders can easily conduct electricity to you,
causing serious injury or death.

• Don’t forget that sweat, oil, paint, caulk, and grease can conduct
electricity. Make certain your ladder is free of these substances.
4. Inspecting A Ladder

• Always check for damage before using any ladder. Conduct your
inspection before you leave for the job site.

A. Begin at the bottom, making sure the feet are not broken or
malfunctioning and that the slip-resistant pads are secure.
B. Inspect the ladder for cracks, bends, and splits on side rails, rungs, and
steps.
C. Check all rung/step-to-side rail connections, as well as hardware,
fittings, and accessories. Make sure both rung locks are in working
order.
D. Test the rope and pulley. Look for fraying of the rope and smooth
operation.
E. All pivotal connections and the rung-lock should be well-lubricated.
F. All bolts and rivets should be secure. Never use a ladder if any bolts
or rivets are missing of if the joints between the steps (or rungs) and
the side rails are not tight.
G. Make sure the ladder (particularly the steps and rungs) is free of
foreign materials such as oil and grease.
H. If you’re using a stepladder, make sure the spreader braces are secure
and working.

• Use a ladder-inspection chart as a guide for evaluating the safety of the

ladder. Remember to inspect the ladder before you travel to the job site, as
once you’re there you’ll be tempted to use the ladder regardless of its
condition.

• Always mark unsafe ladder by using a damaged-ladder tag.

• Be sure to store damaged ladders away from usable ladders. Have them
repaired as soon as possible. Destroy un-repairable ladders immediately.

5. Transporting A Ladder

• Many accidents happen while transporting the ladder to the job site. A
ladder is long and awkward, and can cause injuries and property damage
during transport. When possible, two people should carry an extension ladder.
If you carry it yourself, keep the front end of the ladder slightly higher than
the back end.

• Never move or reposition an extension ladder without completely retracting

the fly section. Failure to do so can cause serious injury or death.

• Secure both ends of a ladder when transporting it on a vehicle.

6. Setting Up a Ladder

• A major cause of falls from ladders is improper set-up. Many accidents

can be avoided with common sense and good work practices. Using proper
set-up techniques will give your ladder maximum stability and help ensure
your safety.

• PREPARING TO USE A LADDER. Your first step is to rid the area of

hazards.

A. Look above for any overhead wires or obstructions.

B. Clear any clutter from the area around the base of the ladder.
C. Block off the area around the ladder so people and equipment won’t
knock you off the ladder.
D. If you’re working close to a corner, put up a sign to warn people of
your presence.
E. If there’s a door nearby, lock it, block it off, or station someone to
watch it for you.

• ANGLE OF INCLINATION. Extension and straight ladders should be

erected at a pitch of 75 ½ degree for the horizontal for optimum resistance to
sliding, strength of the ladder, and balance of the climber. To create the 75 ½
degree angle, the ladder should be one foot away from the wall for every 4
feet of the ladder’s length to the support point. This is known as the one-
quarter rule.

• When setting up an extension ladder, first position it flat on the ground

with the bottom of the ladder touching the base of the building and the base
section on top.

• Lift the ladder by walking it up with your hands, one rung at a time.

• Pull the base of the ladder slightly away from the building. Lift the fly
section and lock it.

• Bring the base of the ladder away form the building until it’s at the proper
75 ½ degree angle. The base of the ladder should be one foot away form the
building for every four feet of the ladder’s length to the support point. This
puts the ladder in its strongest position. Make sure the ladder shoes are
correctly position. Make certain the rung locks are secure.

• To ensure proper ladder set-up.

A. Place toes against bottom of ladder siderails.
B. Stand erect.
C. Extend arms straight out in front of you.
D. Palms of hands should touch top of rung at shoulder level.
 • STEPLADDERS AND OTHER SELF-SUPPORTING LADDERS.
Position stepladders and other self-supporting ladders so that all four legs are
on solid, level ground. Lock the spreader in the fully opened position. Never
use a self supporting ladder as a straight ladder.

• LADDER FOOTING. Ladders are safest when placed on a firm, even

surface free of foreign materials such as ice, sawdust, sand, oil, etc. Extension
ladder levelers should be used on uneven ground.

• TOP SUPPORT. The top of an extension ladder should be placed with

the two rails supported equally unless it is equipped with a single support
attachment. When necessary to support the top of the ladder at a window
opening, a device should be attached across the back of the ladder, extending
across the window, to provide firm support against the building walls or
window frames.

• SIDE LOADING. Portable ladders are not designed for excessive side
loading. Secure the ladder, keep it close to the work, and do not overreach.

• SECURING LADDER. The force you apply while working on the ladder,
and other forces caused by wind or other factors, can overcome the stability of
the ladder and cause you to fall, resulting in serious injury or death.

• Prevent an extension ladder from moving by tying it off at the top and
bottom. Make certain the structure you tie it to is strong enough to hold the
ladder. Tie the fly and base sections together at the overlap.

• For maximum safety, have someone hold the ladder.

• If you’re climbing onto the roof, remember to extend the top of the ladder
three feet beyond the roof line.

7. Proper Climbing

• Proper use of a ladder will contribute significantly to your safety.

• Factors contributing to falls include haste, sudden movement, lack of

attention during use, ladder condition (ware or damaged), the user’s age or
physical condition, or both, and the user’s footwear.

• The likelihood of a fall is not a function of the user’s weight or size.

However, improper climbing posture creating user clumsiness on the ladder may
cause falls. Be sure to follow these guidelines for safety while climbing:
 A. Wear shoes that are heavily soled to prevent foot fatigue.
B. Clean your shoes to give them maximum traction.
C. Co not bring heavy or bulky objects up the ladder with you. Pull them
up on a towline, attached them to your tool belt, or have them handed
up to you.
D. Always keep three parts of your body in contact with the ladder when
climbing, holding on with either two hands and a foot or two feet and a
hand.
E. Always face the ladder as you climb, work or descend.
F. Keep your belt buckle positioned between the rails.
G. Climb slowly and surely.
H. If you’re climbing onto a roof, do not step over the top of the ladder.
Step sideways onto the roof.

8. Avoiding Hazards
• Read and follow all instruction labels on the ladder. Failure to do so may
cause serious injury or death.

• Do not try to move a ladder while on it.

• Completely retract the fly section of an extension ladder before moving or

repositioning it.

• Do not use boards or boxes to give a ladder extra height.

• Only one person at a time should climb a ladder unless it it designed to

support two people.

• Never use a ladder on scaffolding.

• Do not lean an extension ladder against boxes or any other unstable

surface.

• Do not connect two ladders to each other.

• Never leave a ladder unattended.

• Never climb a ladder when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Never use a ladder for anything other than its intended purpose.

• Always face ladder when climbing and working.

• Never leave a ladder set-up and unattended.

 • Never allow children to climb a ladder.

9. Caring For A Ladder

• Properly caring for a ladder helps maximize its life span.

• Regularly clean and lubricate the ladder’s moving parts.

• Clean the rungs and steps.

• Never paint a wooden ladder as this will make it difficult to spot damage.
You can treat the wood ladder with a clear protective coating.

• Store an extension ladder by hanging it horizontally. Make sure it is

supported every six feet.

• Keep ladders away from extreme heat or cold.

• Do not use a ladder as a storage shelf.

• When transporting a ladder on a vehicle, secure both ends. This will help
prevent damage to the ladder.

• Keep dirt, dust, grease, grime, carbonaceous, and other foreign matter off
on non-conductive ladders, as these substances can provide a path for
electrical currents to travel over the surface of the ladder and endanger the
user.