Safe Ladder Use

Just because ladders are one of the most common pieces of equipment on a construction site does not mean they are safe. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, and every year falls from ladders make up nearly a third of those deaths. These deaths are preventable. Falls from ladders can be prevented and lives can be saved by following the safe work practices described here.

Simple Steps to Prevent Falls from Ladders

1. Choose the right ladder for the job.
2. Tie the top and bottom of the ladder to fixed points when necessary.
3. Do not carry tools or other materials in-hand while climbing the ladder.

We will look at each in more detail.

Choose the right ladder for the job.

Many times, a ladder is the only physical support you have on a job. If it fails, you can fall. First, make sure the ladder is appropriate to the task. Would scaffolding or a mechanical lift be better? If a ladder is what you need, pick the appropriate kind. Stepladders, straight ladders, and extension ladders are used in different situations for different tasks.

Before you start using a ladder, ask yourself three questions:

• Is the ladder long enough?
  • You should be able to set it at a stable angle and still extend it at the top to give you something to hold on to when you get on the ladder to descend. Setting the ladder at the correct angle helps you keep your balance on the ladder while keeping the ladder from falling backwards.
  • Make sure the ladder extends three feet (three rungs) above the surface you will be working on.
  • Make sure the ladder is placed at a stable angle. For every four feet in height, the base should be one foot out from the wall. For example, if you will be working on a 10-foot-high roof, you need a ladder that is at least 14 feet long. The base should be 2.5 feet from the wall.
• Is the ladder in good working condition?
• Is the ladder strong enough?
  • Always check the duty rating on an extension ladder. Will it support your weight? Do not forget to include the weight of materials and personnel. Longer ladders don not always have higher duty ratings, so be sure to check. In construction, the most common ratings are as follows:
    • Heavy duty (I) supports up to 250 pounds.
    • Extra heavy duty (IA) supports up to 300 pounds.
    • Special duty (IAA) supports up to 375 pounds.

Tie the top and bottom of the ladder to fixed points when necessary.

"When necessary" applies in the following conditions:

• If it does not extend three feet above the landing
• If it is on a slippery surface
• If it could be displaced by work activities or traffic

Tie both sides of the top of the ladder to a fixed point on the roof or other high surface near where you are working. The bottom should be tied to a fixed point on the ground. Securing the ladder in this way prevents the ladder from sliding side to side or falling backwards, and it prevents the base from sliding.

Tying the ladder off at the beginning of the day and untying it at the end might take you five minutes, but it can make all the difference for your safety. If you need to move the ladder around, allow extra time for this important step, or consider using something else, such as a scaffold.

Do not carry tools or other materials in-hand while climbing a ladder.

Take precautions when going up or down a ladder. Instead of carrying tools, boards, or other materials in your hands, use a tool belt, install a rope and pulley system, or tie a rope around your materials and pull them up once you have reached the work surface. Ask for help if you need to use more than one hand to pull them up.

Carrying tools or anything else in your hands as you climb the ladder can throw you off balance. You can hurt yourself and people below you. When you climb a ladder, always use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when going up or down.

To learn more about Focus Four Safety visit our Construction Focus Four Safety Online Training web page.