Safety Guidelines for Working with Ladders

Safety Guidelines for Working with Ladders

Make sure you understand these safety guidelines for working with ladders to avoid those mistakes and mishaps that can cause injury or worse.

Ladders are an ordinary tool on a job site or in the workplace, so it’s no wonder they account for a high number of fall injuries and death. Misuse of ladders ranks as one of OSHA’s top 10 violations every year, and hundreds of workers are injured every day from ladder-related incidents. Following safety guidelines for working with ladders is key to keeping ladder-related injuries and deaths from occurring in the first place.

Safety Guidelines for Working With Ladders

It’s easy to misuse a ladder, and it might not be immediately clear how such misuse could be dangerous. Following these basic safety guidelines for working with ladders will deter any injuries:

  • Use the correct type of ladder for the job, and only use ladders as intended. Don’t use ladders as scaffolding, for instance.
  • Follow the information on the ladder’s labels and always make sure you’re working within the ladder’s Duty Rating.
  • Routinely inspect ladders for any damage or wear. Remove ladders that are damaged or dangerous from service following safety protocols.
  • Ensure the climbing and gripping surfaces of the ladder are clean and free of debris and substances that pose a slipping hazard, like oil, grease, and other liquids.
  • Check that your shoes are free of any substances like dirt, oil, or liquid that would cause slipping.
  • Always set a ladder on firm and level surfaces at the correct angle and secure it. Don’t place anything under the ladder to level it or increase its height. 
  • Place a barrier, such as cones, around the base of the ladder to keep people, equipment, and other objects from unintentionally bumping into it. 
  • Maintain three points of contact.
  • Do not carry objects that could cause loss of balance, and don’t use a ladder if you are dizzy or tired.
  • Don’t pass materials, cords, or hoses through the ladder.

Providing ladder safety training and enforcing ladder safety guidelines and protocols are also best practices of a company’s safety culture.

Safe Keeper/Safe Climber offers quality fall protection products like safety harnesses, lanyards, and anchors, as well as Safe Climber Ladder Systems.

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