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Safety Information For Using Ladders
2. Falls (working from heights)
Falls are one of the leading causes of serious injuries and death, both in the workplace and at home. In general, when people need to reach for something that’s a little out of their reach, they’ll take the nearest object that “looks OK” and climb on it to reach what they want. Chairs, boxes, stools, barrels, and similar objects are not designed to bear the weight of someone standing on them. Taking the time to get a proper ladder to do the job may take a few extra minutes, but it will mean that the job will be done safely.
Physical Hazards (cont’d.)
2. Falls (working from heights) – cont’d.
It is also critical to recognize that many situations put us at risk for falling such as:
Working on a ladder improperly. Working from the top rung of an extension ladder or standing on the brace or the top of a step ladder or putting an extension ladder at the wrong angle. Extension ladders should extend out from a vertical surface 1 foot for every 3 feet the ladder goes up the wall.
Working on scaffolds or elevated platforms without guardrails or fall arrest systems, or not locking the wheels on rolling scaffolds.
Working around uncovered openings in floors.
Working off roofs or other heights over 3 meters without fall arrest or another method of protection.
Physical Hazards (cont’d.)
2. Falls (working from heights) – cont’d.
Fall Arrest Systems
This system does not prevent the worker from falling, but if the worker does fall, it is engineered to stop or “arrest” a fall. In order to provide this special type of protection, the system consists of several components, including:
P a full body harness with rings where the lanyard can be attached;
P a lanyard with a shock absorber – the shock absorber will absorb the stress applied when a worker falls and lessen the impact on the worker;
P a rope grab to secure the rope when it slides;
P a life line;
P an anchor.
Physical Hazards (cont’d.)
2. Falls (working from heights) – cont’d.
Ladder safety
Secure a ladder at the top and bottom to prevent it from slipping.
Do not use aluminum ladders around electric power lines, as aluminum is a good conductor of electricity.
Pay attention while climbing a ladder and remember to use three-point contact – two hands, one or two feet and one hand. Do not carry tools up a ladder. Use a tool belt or a rope to hoist instead.
Take defective ladders out of service.
Use the ladder type and length most appropriate for the task. Accidents happen when the ladder used is too short or a stepladder is not properly opened.
Do not stand on the pail shelf or top rung of a ladder.
Place an extension ladder at the proper angle for climbing – remember 1 foot out for every 3 feet up.
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