Falls from ladders represent a significant workplace hazard that demands immediate attention. These incidents rank as the third leading cause of workplace injuries and impose a staggering financial burden on employers, costing more than $24 billion (with a B) annually in injury-related expenses. This figure represents over 10 percent of the $176 billion spent each year on all work-related injury claims across the United States.
The most effective approach to reducing these injuries involves designing workplaces that minimize ladder use and implementing comprehensive employee training on ladder safety protocols. At Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Compensation Fund (THE FUND), we believe that ladder safety is everyone’s responsibility, and proper techniques can significantly prevent falls and injuries. The following points should be incorporated into your employee ladder training program.
Pre-Use Inspection: Your First Line of Defense
Before any ladder use, conducting a thorough inspection is essential for ensuring worker safety.
Visual Inspection forms the foundation of ladder safety. Workers should carefully examine the ladder for any signs of damage, cracks, missing components, or other issues that could compromise stability. This visual check should be comprehensive, covering every part of the ladder from top to bottom.
Foot Pad Assessment requires verifying that all foot pads are present and in excellent condition. Damaged or missing foot pads can lead to slipping and instability, creating dangerous conditions for workers.
Rung and Step Evaluation involves checking each rung and step for damage, grease, oil, mud, or other slippery substances that could cause falls. Clean, intact rungs are crucial for maintaining secure footing throughout the climbing process.
Damage Identification and Removal protocols require immediate action when defects are discovered. Any damaged ladder must be tagged as “Do Not Use” and immediately removed from service to prevent potential accidents.
Correct Ladder Setup: Building a Stable Foundation
Proper ladder setup creates the foundation for safe climbing and working conditions.
Choosing the Right Ladder involves selecting equipment appropriate for both the specific job requirements and the type of work being performed. Different tasks require different ladder types, and using the wrong ladder increases accident risk significantly.
Base Placement requires positioning the ladder on a level, stable surface that can adequately support both the ladder and the worker’s weight. Uneven or unstable surfaces create dangerous working conditions that should be avoided.
Angle Considerations are particularly important for extension ladders, which should maintain a 4:1 ratio. This means positioning the ladder base one unit away from the wall for every four units of ladder height, ensuring optimal stability and safety.
Ladder Extension protocols require that extension ladders used to access another level extend at least three feet beyond the landing point. This extension provides secure transition points and prevents dangerous gaps.
Securing Methods involve fastening the ladder at both the top and bottom, or having a coworker hold it for additional stability. Unsecured ladders can shift unexpectedly, leading to falls and injuries.
Area Clearance ensures the space around the ladder remains free of obstructions and foot traffic that could interfere with safe ladder use.
Climbing Techniques: Safe Ascent and Descent
Proper climbing techniques are fundamental to preventing falls and maintaining control while using ladders.
Facing the Ladder represents a basic but critical safety rule. Workers should always face the ladder when climbing up or down, maintaining visual contact with the rungs and handholds.
Three Points of Contact requires keeping at least two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder at all times. This technique provides stability and prevents falls if one contact point fails.
Center of Gravity maintenance involves keeping the body centered between the ladder’s side rails. Leaning too far to either side increases the risk of the ladder tipping or the worker losing balance.
Avoiding Overreaching prevents dangerous situations by requiring workers to reposition the ladder when they need to reach different areas. Stretching beyond safe reach limits compromises balance and stability.
Top Step Restrictions prohibit standing on the top two steps unless the ladder is specifically designed for such use. These areas typically lack adequate handholds and create unstable working positions.
Working Safely on the Ladder
Once positioned on the ladder, specific techniques ensure continued safety during work activities.
Tool Management involves using tool belts or buckets to transport equipment rather than carrying tools in hands while climbing. Free hands are essential for observing the 3-point contact rule.
Avoiding Dangerous Movements means repositioning the ladder rather than leaning or reaching beyond safe limits. Workers should never compromise their stability to avoid repositioning equipment.
Rung Maintenance requires keeping ladder rungs clean and free of debris or slippery materials throughout the work period. Clean rungs provide secure footing and prevent slip-related accidents.
Post-Use Maintenance and Storage
Proper ladder care extends equipment life and ensures continued safety for future users.
Tool and Material Removal involves clearing the ladder of all tools and materials before moving or storing it. This practice prevents items from falling and injuring workers or bystanders.
Cleaning Protocols require cleaning ladders after each use to remove dirt, grease, and other debris that could create hazardous conditions for subsequent users.
Additional Safety Considerations
Consider the implementation of a Ladders Last Program. The idea behind the Ladders Last Program is based on prevention rather than protection.
- Use ladders less by identifying other means of working form elevated heights. If a worker is not using a ladder, they can’t fall from the ladder.
- If a ladder has to be used, take steps to ensure the user is properly trained and the ladder is in good condition.
A Ladders Last Program brings ladder safety awareness to the minds of the user before the ladder is used by stressing key ladder safety concepts. A sample Ladders Last Program is available on the ECMI website.
Several environmental and situational factors require special attention for comprehensive ladder safety.
Weather Conditions play a crucial role in ladder safety. Workers should avoid using ladders during windy, rainy, snowy, or icy conditions that can create slippery surfaces and unstable working environments.
Electrical Hazard Awareness requires maintaining safe distances from power lines and other electrical hazards. Metal ladders pose particular risks near electrical sources and require extra caution.
Proper Equipment Use prohibits using ladders as shelves or storage areas. Tools and materials should never be placed on the top cap or any step of the ladder, as this creates instability and fall hazards.
Conclusion: A Shared Commitment to Safety
Ladder safety represents a shared responsibility that requires commitment from both employers and workers. By implementing these comprehensive safety techniques and maintaining vigilant attention to proper procedures, workplaces can significantly reduce ladder-related injuries and their associated costs.
THE FUND remains committed to supporting workplace safety initiatives that protect workers and reduce injury-related expenses. Remember: effective ladder safety begins with proper training, continues with consistent application of safety techniques, and requires ongoing attention to equipment maintenance and environmental conditions.
Ladder Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility!
For more information about workplace safety or how THE FUND can help your Alabama business, contact us today!
Resources:
American Ladder Institute (https://www.laddersafetytraining.org/):
- This free ladder safety training is a tool for the proper selection, care and safe use of all ladders, including step ladders, single and extension ladders, articulating ladders and mobile ladders. Provided by the American Ladder Institute, this training outlines safe ladder practices in all applications, such as construction/painting, building and custodial services, warehousing, power, manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical, oil and gas and at home.
- Registration is free. Select a ladder type, watch a video and take a test to earn a certificate of completion.
The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/mobileapp.html):
- Falls in the Workplace: Ladder Safety Mobile App
- The app provides user-friendly guides and interactive tools to prevent major causes of falls.
- Angle Measuring Tool — Uses visual, sound, and vibration signals to make it easier for users to set an extension ladder at the proper angle (approximately 75 degrees) and to check the verticality of extension and step ladders.
- Selection Tool — Provides a procedure to select the minimum required ladder duty rating corresponding to user characteristics and task.
- Inspection Tool — Includes a comprehensive checklist for ladder mechanical inspection.
- Proper Use Tool — Presents a set of rules for safe ladder use in a user-friendly format.
- Accessories Tool — Describes a number of available extension ladder safety accessories.
- Using smart phone technology, the NIOSH Ladder Safety app delivers ladder safety tools, information, reference materials, and training resources into the hands of individual ladder users wherever and whenever they are needed. The app is available in English and Spanish as a free download for Apple iPhone/iPad and Google Android devices.
NIOSH Ladder Safety App Postcard
NIOSH Publication 2017-130
This postcard provides ladder fall statistics, information about the tools included in the NIOSH Ladder Safety app, and quick response (QR) codes to download and use the app.
NIOSH Ladder Safety Infographic/Flyer
NIOSH Publication 2017-129
This infographic/flyer provides ladder fall statistics and information about the tools included in the NIOSH Ladder Safety app.
NOTE: March is The American Ladder Institute National Ladder Safety Month