A-Frame Ladder Safety: Top 3 Precautions

A-frame ladders are commonly used in various workplaces, but their misuse can lead to serious falls and injuries. This document outlines the top three safety precautions to ensure the safe use of A-frame ladders, minimizing the risk of accidents.

Ladder Inspection and Condition

Regular inspection of A-frame ladders is crucial for identifying and addressing potential hazards before use. Ladders must be in good working condition to ensure user safety.

Pre-Use Inspection

Inspect ladders for any visible defects before each use.

Check for broken, worn, or missing rungs, cleats, or steps.
Examine side rails for breaks or splits.
Ensure guides or iron spreaders are not broken or bent.
Verify that locks are functioning properly.
Confirm that rungs and steps are corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping
Look for corrosion on metal components
Make sure ladder surfaces are free of puncture and laceration hazards

Ladders with faults and defects must be immediately tagged "DANGEROUS - DO NOT USE" and withdrawn from service until properly repaired to meet the original design criteria. Repairs should restore the ladder to its original condition before being returned to use. [1]

Proper Setup and Positioning

Correct ladder placement and setup are essential for stability and preventing falls. This includes ensuring a stable base, proper angle, and secure top.

Stable Base

Ensure the ladder is placed on a stable and level surface.

The ladder should be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement
If the surface is slippery, use ladders with slip-resistant feet or secure the ladder to prevent displacement. Note that slip-resistant feet are not a substitute for proper securing methods on slippery surfaces.

Proper Angle

Set the ladder at the correct angle.

Non-self-supporting ladders should be used at an angle where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder
For wood job-made ladders with spliced side rails, the angle should be such that the horizontal distance is one-eighth the working length of the ladder.

Secure Top

Secure the ladder to prevent displacement.

If the ladder is placed in a location where it can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic, it must be secured or a barricade should be used to keep activities/traffic away from the ladder
When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing surface.

Safe Climbing Practices

Adhering to safe climbing techniques minimizes the risk of falls while ascending or descending the ladder.

Three-Point Contact

Maintain three points of contact at all times.

Maintain three-point contact by keeping two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder always.

Facing the Ladder

Face the ladder when climbing.

Always face the stepladder when climbing up or down
Each employee faces the ladder when climbing up or down it.

Load Management

Avoid carrying heavy or awkward loads.

Do not carry tools or materials in your hand while climbing
Rise or lower tools and materials using a hoist, hand-line, bucket or other device.
An employee shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall.

Avoid Overreaching

Do not overreach.

An employee who is on a ladder shall not overreach or do any pushing or pulling that may cause the ladder to move or topple.
If both of an employee's shoulders are outside of a side rail, the employee is overreaching.
Work from the center of the ladder. If you cannot reach, climb down and move the ladder.

By consistently following these three safety precautions – ladder inspection, proper setup, and safe climbing practices – the risks associated with A-frame ladder use can be significantly reduced, creating a safer working environment.