Ladder Safety

Slide 1: Ladder Safety Presented By Bill Taylor DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 2: Ladder Safety - Introduction • Ladders are indispensable tools • There are many different sizes, shapes • 780 workers injured annually in California • Most injuries: fall of less than 10 feet DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 3: Ladder Safety - Introduction • Most falls involve portable ladders • Why do accidents happen? -M oves, tls, or shit duri it fs ng Ladder clm bi i ng -U nst e / slppery base abl i surf aces -M i ep / slp off sst i oot -Loss ofbal ance (overreach ) -S truck by vehi e or ot cl her DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 4: Ladder Safety - Introduction To reduce ladder fall risks: • Frequently inspect and maintain ladders • Match tasks to appropriate ladders • Set up ladders correctly • Climb and descend ladders properly. • Employers - responsibility to train workers DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 5: Ladder Ratings Rating Working Load • 4 ratings Extra heavy 300 pounds duty (I-A) • Based on Heavy duty (I) 250 pounds maximum working load Medium duty (II) 225 pounds Light duty (III) 200 pounds DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 6: Types of Portable Ladders • Non-self-supporting ladders – Two different types • Self-supporting ladders – Five different types DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 7: Non-self-supporting ladders • Single portable or straight ladder – Slip-resistant feet – 30 foot maximum length – One worker – Wood, metal, fiberglass DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 8: Non-self-supporting ladders • Extension or section ladder – One person – Two or more sections – Wood, metal, – Upper section on top fiberglass – Minimum section overlap DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 9: Non-self-supporting ladders • Extension or section ladder – Maximum length of ladder 72 feet – Wood ladder not more then 60 feet – Individual sections not more then 30 feet – Non-slip base – tie off top Ladder Length Overlap Up to and including 36 feet 3 feet Over 36 through 48 feet 4 feet Over 48 through 60 feet 5 feet Install positive stops on individual ladder sections to ensure required overlap. DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 10: Self-supporting ladders • Standard stepladder – Flat steps, hinged back – Use on firm level footing – Metal, wood, fiberglass – One worker – Metal spreader or locking arms – No work from top step – 20 feet maximum length DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 11: Self-supporting ladders • Two-way stepladder – Similar to standard – Steps on both sides – Two people – not more then 20 feet DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 12: How Many Safety violations Can You Count DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 13: Self-supporting ladders • Platform ladder – Special purpose – Max 20 feet to platform – Stable platform is highest working height DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 14: Self-supporting ladders • Orchard ladder – Special purpose for pruning/harvest use – One person – 16 feet maximum – Wood, metal, fiberglass – DO NOT stand on top step DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 15: Self-supporting ladders • Trestle ladder • Two sections, hinged • Used in pairs to support planks or staging • Angle of spread = 5.5 inches per foot of length • Max Height 20 feet • Spreaders required DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 16: How Many Safety violations Can You Count DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 17: Selecting Ladders • Other ladders for special needs – platform – trolley – side-rolling – shaft – Manhole • Choose the right ladder for the job! DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 18: Selecting Ladders Example 1 A medium-duty, four-legged stepladder is designed for use on firm, level footing. If you use it frequently on soft, uneven ground — typical in orchard work — it will eventually twist and fail to support a load. You risk becoming a victim of the most common ladder accident — a ladder that tips over. DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 19: Selecting Ladders Example 1 Example 2 An orchard ladder lacks locking A medium-duty, four-legged arms or spreaders. When used stepladder is designed for use on a firm, smooth footing, the on firm, level footing. If you tripod leg or pole tends to use it frequently on soft, creep forward. The result is uneven ground — typical in another common accident orchard work — it will scenario — the ladder is likely eventually twist and fail to to collapse. support a load. You risk becoming a victim of the most common ladder accident — a ladder that tips over. DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 20: Using Ladders • Accidents happen: – fail to inspect – place inappropriately – ignore safe practices when climbing DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 21: Using Ladders • Beginning a job – select appropriate ladder for task – inspect ladder – • clean • undamaged DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 22: Using Ladders • Avoid... • Placing a ladder – placing ladder in front of – near work unlocked/unguarded door – proper angle – placing ladder on boxes, • extend ¼ the ladder length table, trucks or other • minimum slope 50 movable objects degrees – solid rest across openings – protect base from bumps – orchard ladder pole on ground DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 23: What’s Wrong? DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 24: Using Ladders • Securing a ladder • Avoid – nail/lash in place – exposed areas during storm or wind – extend at least 36 – ladders covered with inches above access area ice or snow – using ladder if stairway can be used instead DGS B ill T a y lo r

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Slide 26: Using Ladders • Ascending and • Avoid descending – sliding down ladder – face the ladder – climbing with slippery hands/shoes – grasp rails with both – using hands to carry hands items – raise/lower heavy – carrying awkward loads with hand line or hoist loads – attach light tools to ladder or person DGS B ill T a y lo r

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Slide 28: Using Ladders • Securing equipment • Avoid – use strong bail hook on – placing tools/materials picker bucket on ladder if they could fall off – when not using limb hook, secure it to ladder or nearby limb DGS B ill T a y lo r

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Slide 30: Using Ladders • Metal ladders • Avoid – skid resistant surface – using ladders with on steps, rungs conductive rails near exposed, energized • corrugated equipment • knurled • dimpled • coated – “WARNING — Do Not Use Around Energized Electrical Equipment.” DGS B ill T a y lo r

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Slide 32: Using Ladders • Precautions – extend extension – both feet firmly on ladder > 36 inches rungs and steps above access – one person only on – keep area around standard ladders ladder free of debris – inspect ladder that has – keep load on ladder collapsed, tipped, or (including worker) exposed to harsh below maximum load chemicals capacity DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 33: Using Ladders • Do NOT – reach out over side rails, – paint ladders; use lean, turn transparent preservative – use self-supporting ladders – use ladders with broken, without spreader or locking patched, oily parts device – use ladder as guy, brace, – load ladder beyond or skid maximum load capacity – stand or sit on top 2 steps of stepladder DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 34: Transporting Ladders • Hand carry – elevate front end • Vehicle transport – parallel to bed – don’t toss or throw into bed – support ladder so it won’t bend or sag – secure ladder to vehicle – drive slowly over rough terrain DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 35: Storing Ladders • Well ventilated area • Store stepladder and orchard ladder vertically • Limit exposure to in closed position moisture/excessive heat • Store promptly after use • Store straight/extension • Limit exposure of wood ladder on flat racks or wall brackets – no and fiberglass to sagging moisture and sunlight DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 36: Maintaining Ladders • Neglected ladders quickly become unsafe ladders • Maintenance – regular inspection, tighten step bolts and fastenings • Do not paint wooden ladder – hides defects DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 37: Repairing Ladders • Wooden ladder: replace lower steps when ¼ of step is worn away • Non-skid surface reduces wear • Don’t use cleats to repair rung ladder • Do not paint wooden ladder • Stock repair parts – ladder bolts, lower steps, related hardware DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 38: Improve Slip Resistance • Cloth-backed mineral abrasive • Anti-slip abrasive surfacer • Coarse-ground walnut shells • Sand • Re-dimpling (for metal ladders) DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 39: Checklists • Available from EH&S • Ladder hazards • Ladder training DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 40: Definitions • • Check Rungs • • Cleat Sectional ladder • • Competent person Single (or straight) ladder • • Decay Special-purpose ladder • • Extension ladder Stepladder • • Extension trestle ladder Steps • • Fastening Tread • • Ladder Tread width • • Platform ladder Trestle ladder DGS B ill T a y lo r

Slide 41: Ladder Safety - Introduction • CAL-OSHA regulations Division Subdivision D - Walking/ working Surfaces 2 (General) X - Stairways and Ladders 3 (Construction) D - Ladders and Scaffolds 4 (Agriculture) DGS B ill T a y lo r