SAFETY TALKPortable Ladder Safety

Portable ladders are one of the handiest, simplest tools we use. Because of their effectiveness, ladders are used by many different people to perform many different tasks. Although ladders are uncomplicated, planning and care are still required to use them safely. Each day in the U.S., accidents involving ladders cause an estimated 2,000 injuries requiring emergency medical attention and 1 death per day.

Ladder accidents usually are caused by improper selection, care, or use. They are not caused by manufacturing defects. Some of the more common hazards involving ladders, such as instability, electrical shock, and falls, can be predicted and prevented. Prevention requires proper planning, correct ladder selection, good work procedures and adequate ladder maintenance.

Electrical shock can occur with metal or wet wooden ladders. Not only is the shock itself dangerous, but it can cause falls resulting in injury.

• Do not hand-carry loads on a ladder.• Do not try reaching so far that you lose your balance; move the

ladder.• Non-skid feet or spurs may prevent a ladder from slipping on a hard,

smooth surface.• Do not stand on the ladder’s top three rungs.• A damaged side rail may cause one side of a ladder to give way.• Ladders used to reach a walking surface or roof must extend at least

3 feet beyond.• Extension ladders need both locks holding to prevent overloading a

rail.• Step ladders should be securely spread open. Never use a folding

step ladder in an unfolded position.

PREVENTION TIPS:

INSPECTIONS:

GENERAL:• Loose steps or rungs (can be moved by hand)

• Loose Nails, screws, bolts, or other materials

• Cracked, split, or broken uprights, braces, steps. or rungs

• Slivers on uprights, rungs, or steps

• Rungs, cleats, and steps are uniformly spaced at 12” (+/-2”)

• Rungs/steps missing

• Rungs/steps on metal ladders corrugated or knurled

• Free from grease, oil, or slippery materials

• Wooden parts free from splinters, cracks, decay

• Wooden ladders cannot have opaque coatings

• Joints between rungs and side rails tight (cannot be moved by hand)

• Movable parts operate freely

• Damaged or worn non-slip bases

• Rails free from cracks/splitting

• Loose nails/screws

STEP LADDERS:• Wobbly (from loose or worn parts when in

the open position)• Do not exceed 20 feet in length• Loose or bent hinge spreaders• Broken stop on hinge spreaders• Sharp edges on spreaders• Loose hinges

EXTENSION LADDERS:• Loose, broken, or missing extension locks• Defective locks that do not seat properly when ladder is extended• Frayed or worn rope• Single section ladders do not exceed 30 feet in length• Two-section extension ladders do not exceed 48 feet in length (metal

ladders) or 60 feet in length (wood ladders)• Ladders with more than two sections do not exceed 60 feet in length