Ladder Safety and

Preventing Falls

Bob Emmerich
Safe-Con, LLC
5714 Merlin St.
Madison, WI 53711
bobe@safeconllc.com
 Ladder Types
 Type I-A ladders are heavy-duty and
can handle up to 300 lbs.
 Type I ladders can hold up to 250
lbs.
 Type II ladders can hold 225 lbs.
 Type III ladders are for light duty
only and can hold up to 200 lbs.
 An Accident
What Happened

• A fiberglass A-frame ladder split halfway

up the ridge of the leg rail, causing a
worker on the ladder to fall to the rig floor.
• The employee injured his wrist.
 What Caused It
• An investigation showed the ladder
appeared to be in good shape and not
misused.
• It appeared to be a lighter shade than the
other ladders on location, suggesting that it
had been left out in the sun.
• When the ladder was standing alone,
without weight on it, the split was extremely
hard to see.
 Ladder Inspection

 Rungs must be intact and free from grease

or oil.
 Make sure there are no splinters or sharp
edges.
 See that metal ladders are not dented or
bent.
 Ladder Inspection

 Safety feet should be in place.

 All support braces and bolts must be
present and secure.
 On extension ladders, make sure rope
is not torn or frayed.
 Ladder Inspection

 On stepladders,
make sure the
hinge spreader is
working properly.
 Tag Defective Ladders

• These ladders are

properly tagged
“Do Not Use”
Know the rules!
 Ladder Don’ts

 Do not use ladders that have been

exposed to fire or corrosive chemicals.
 Do not use a ladder for unintended
purposes, such as in place of scaffolding.
 Never allow more than one person on a
ladder at a time.
Read The Warning Labels

• They are there

for a reason!
Use of Step Ladders
Use of Step Ladders

Always set
level.

Be sure
latches are
down.
 Proper Ladder Climbing

• Use both hands to climb a ladder.

• Always face the ladder when climbing,
descending or working.
• Avoid the top two steps of a stepladder
and the top four rungs on other ladders.
Don’t Lean a Step Ladder
• The support leg
(arrow) can contact the
ground causing the
step leg to kick out.
• Also employees
should not work from
the top or second step.
 Don’t Lean!

• Avoid excessive
stretching or leaning.
• Workers should never
work with one leg on a NO!
ladder and one off.
• A slip could result in
serious fall.
Do Not Stand On
The Top Step!!!

Obey The Labels!!

Top Step!?!?!
Safe Step Ladder Use
• Always
face the
ladder
• Stay off
top two
steps.
 Unsafe Step Ladder Use

• Do not straddle
the top unless
the ladder is
designed for it.

NO!
 Working Above Protections

• When employees work

above railings, they
must be protected from
falling over the railings.
Working on Upper Levels
Safe Step Ladder Use

• When
working to the
side, maintain
balance.
Self Supporting Ladder
Use of Extension Ladders
 Set Feet Properly

Firm Base Soft Base

Set on the spikes and
Set both feet level and seat the ladder in the
on the pads ground.
Not a Firm Foundation
 Proper Ladder Set
• Make sure the
ladder's feet are
parallel to the
surface it rests
against.
• Don’t set ladders
where they may be
hit or dislodged.
 Set The Proper Angle
 The distance from the
bottom of the ladder to
the wall should be
one-fourth of the
ladder's working
height. 4
 An extended arm will
be close.
1
 Check The Locks

• Always check to be sure the extension locks are

properly seated.
This Is A Poor Set Up

• The top could

fall out with any
slip at the base.
• The angle is too
steep.
 Working From a Ladder

• Always face the

ladder.
• Keep one hand on
the ladder for hold.
• Do not work on top
four steps.
• Work within easy
reach.
Ladder Access

• Many workers fall

from ladders while
accessing to
another work area.
Ladder Access

NO!

• These are a very poor

and hazardous set ups!
Extend Above Platform

3 feet • Access ladders

must extend at
least 3 feet above
the landing
platform.
Proper Access Ladders

• Ladders should be set

at 1 horizontal to 4
vertical.
• Ladders must be
secured.
4
• Ladder access ways
must be guarded.
1
Securing Ladders

• This ladder is tied

with a rope to a
horizontal girt.
• There is nothing to
keep the rope from
sliding on the girt
allowing the ladder
to move laterally.
Ladders Near Electrical
• Use non-conductive ladders.

• Don’t carry or move

extension ladders while
extended.
• Get help moving ladders to
maintain control.
 Slips, Trips & Falls
• The #1 cause of office employee injuries!
– 265,000 nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls
annually result in one or more days away from work
per incident
– Slips, trips, and falls result in 17% of all nonfatal
workplace injuries per year, the highest injury rate of
any regulated activity
 Fall Hazards
• Storage or placement of objects in aisles,
below knee level, or on other “office-type”
floor surfaces.
• Cords, ropes, hoses across floors and
walkways
• Overflowing, heavy wastebaskets.
• Dust accumulations.
• Open drawers and doors
• Wet floors
 Aisles and Passageways
– Keep clear for material

handling equipment
– Mark permanent aisles
– Heavy-traffic passage-
ways must be
equipped with
pedestrian walkways
 Slips & Trips

• It is also possible to
injure your back
slipping on a wet
floor, ice, muddy
ground, etc.
• Poor housekeeping
is a common cause.
 Basic Safety STEPS
• Awareness.
• Keep aisles clear.
• “Walk like a duck” on slippery surfaces.
• Use the handrail on stairs.
• Hold onto chair seats/arms when attempting to sit.
• “Sensible shoes.”
• Wipe up spills.
• Walk, don’t run.
 Use Stairs Safety
– Use handrails
– Walk—don’t run
– Inspect for slippery
surfaces or damaged
steps
– Do not put objects
on steps
– Do not carry bulky
objects on stairs
 Keep Walking and Working
Surfaces Clear and Clean
– Keep workroom floors
clean and dry
– Maintain a clean and
orderly work area
 Eliminate Trip Hazards
– Pick up tools, materials,
and trash
– Pick up or walk around
obstructions
– Report dangerous walking
and working surfaces
– Keep file drawers closed
– Keep power cords out of
walkways
 Eliminate Slip Hazards
– Clean up liquids
– Sweep up debris and dust
– Stop and repair leaks
– Install absorbent around wet processes
– Use warning signs or cones
 Wear Slip-Resistant Shoes
– Street shoes not
intended for slip
resistance
– Soft rubber sole
for slip resistance
– Sole tread with
channels
– Still need to walk
carefully
 Be Alert, Use
Common Sense
– Be aware of the hazards
– Pay attention to where you are going
– Adjust your stride according to the
walking surface
– Make wide turns at corners
– Don’t block your vision when carrying items