Ladder Safety Guidelines and Fall Protection Requirements

This document outlines the safety guidelines and fall protection requirements for using ladders, including inspection procedures and safe climbing practices, to prevent accidents and injuries. It covers various types of ladders and emphasizes the importance of proper selection, inspection, setup, and usage to ensure worker safety.

General Ladder Safety

Ladder Selection and Use

Before using a ladder, it is crucial to determine if it is the correct device for the situation, considering the physical condition of the ground and the area being reached, the height of the work, the type of work being done, and any other hazards present. The assessment should include determining which type of ladder will be best suited for the task. Always inspect the ladder before use and set it up correctly. Safety labels and manufacturer instructions provide specific information on the safe use of that particular ladder. [4] [4]

Portable ladders must be marked for the grade of material used and the intended use. Manufactured portable ladders should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is important to select a ladder designed for the specific task, considering its strength, type, length, and relevant safety standards approval. The load rating must be appropriate for the user, equipment, and task. [2] [13] [8] [8]

Restrictions on Use

Workers should not work from the top two rungs of a portable single or extension ladder or the top two steps of a stepladder, unless otherwise permitted by the manufacturer. Ladders should not be used as scaffold components or horizontal walkways, ramps, or work platform supports, except when part of a pre-manufactured or engineered system. [1] [1]

Ladder Positioning and Stability

Portable ladders must be placed on a firm and level surface. For non-self-supporting ladders, position the ladder so that it leans against the vertical plane of support at an approximate angle of 75° when measured from the horizontal plane of support. If the ladder provides access to an upper landing, it must project approximately 1 meter (3 feet) above the upper landing and be sufficiently secured to ensure stability during access or egress. [2] [2]

The ladder should be of sufficient length to project approximately one metre above the level of the upper landing to which it provides access, except where there is limited clearance and the ladder is adequately secured. The ladder must be secured against movement and placed on a stable base. The base of an inclined portable ladder should be no further from the base of the wall or structure than 1/4 of the distance between the base of the ladder and the place where the ladder contacts the wall. [1] [15] [15]

Inspection Procedures

Ladders must be inspected before use on each shift and after any modification. Any condition that might endanger workers must be remedied before the equipment is used. New ladders should be inspected promptly upon receipt. Ladders should also be inspected before storing to ensure they are in good condition or need repair, replacement, or removal from the site. [2] [7] [7]

Inspection Checklist

When inspecting any ladder, check for the following:

[7] [7] [7] [7] [7] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] For stepladders, also check for wobble, loose or bent hinges and hinge spreaders, broken stops on hinge spreaders, and loose pail shelves. For extension ladders, inspect for loose, broken, or missing extension locks, defective locks that do not set properly when the ladder is extended, sufficient lubrication of working parts, defective cords, chains, and ropes, and missing or defective pads or sleeves. [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11]

Post-Inspection Actions

Tag any defective ladders and take them out of service. Clean fiberglass ladders every three months, spraying lightly with a clear lacquer or paste wax. Protect wooden ladders with a clear sealer or wood preservative. Replace worn or frayed ropes on extension ladders and lubricate pulleys regularly. Destroy ladders that cannot be repaired safely in a way that makes them useless. [11] [11] [12] [12] [12] [12]

Do not make temporary or makeshift repairs, and do not try to straighten or use bent or bowed ladders. [12] [12]

Safe Climbing Practices

Three-Point Contact

Maintain three points of contact when using a ladder, keeping two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, on the ladder at all times. Keep your body centered between the side rails. [1] [4] [8]

Climbing Procedures

Face the ladder when climbing up or down. Place feet firmly on each rung. Wearing footwear with heels can help prevent the foot from slipping forward. Avoid hurrying up or sliding down a ladder, and never jump from a ladder. Check footing before descending. Clean muddy or slippery boot soles before mounting a ladder and avoid climbing with wet soles. Ensure that footwear is in good condition. [4] [3] [3] [3] [3] [5] [5]

Material Handling

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. [3] [8]

Other Safe Practices

In most cases, only allow one person on a ladder at a time. Have a second person hold the bottom of a long ladder, especially when tying or untying an extension ladder. Set up barricades and warning signs when using a ladder in a doorway or passageway to prevent other employees from bumping into the ladder. Work from the center of the ladder; if you cannot reach, climb down and move the ladder. Do not "shift" or "walk" a stepladder when standing on it. [3] [3] [6] [10] [10]

Avoid wearing loose clothing, jewelry, or anything else that may catch while climbing. Do not use tools that require a lot of leverage, as this may cause imbalance or falls. Do not allow another person to work below the ladder, and avoid using a ladder during high winds or other extreme weather. Ensure all workers who may climb a ladder are properly trained. [10] [10] [10] [10] [10]

Fall Protection Requirements

Fall Protection Systems

When working 3 metres (10 feet) or more above ground, a fall protection program may be necessary. This may include using a safety belt or harness with the lanyard tied appropriately to the structure. Ensure that you follow working at heights training that includes how to use fall protection devices safely. [6]

A worker may only work from a portable ladder without fall protection where the work is a light-duty task of short duration at each location, the worker's center of gravity is maintained between the ladder side rails, and the ladder is not positioned near an edge or floor opening that would significantly increase the potential fall distance. [1]

In Alberta, a worker working from a portable ladder from which the worker may fall 3 meters or more must use a personal fall arrest system. This does not apply while the worker is moving up or down the portable ladder. If it is not reasonably practical to use a personal fall arrest system, a worker may work from a portable ladder without fall protection if the work is a light duty task of short duration at each location, the worker's center of balance is at the center of the ladder at all times even with an arm extended beyond the side rails of the ladder, and the worker maintains 3-point contact whenever the worker extends an arm beyond a side rail. [15] [15] [15]

Fixed Ladders

Fixed Ladder Requirements

For fixed ladders, the rungs must be uniformly spaced with centers that are not less than 250 mm and not more than 300 mm apart. A clearance of not less than 150 mm must be maintained between the rungs and the structure. Fixed ladders must be securely held in place at the top and bottom and at intermediate points to prevent sway. The side rails must extend not less than 1 m above a platform, roof, or other landing. Ladder openings in platforms, roofs, or other landings should not exceed 750 mm by 750 mm. [16]

If a fixed ladder is more than 6 m high, it must be equipped with platforms at intervals of not more than 6 m and ladder cages, or a personal fall arresting system. [16]

Fixed Ladder Inspection

Fixed ladders should be inspected before each use and periodically, at least annually. Report any defects promptly and keep a record of every inspection. Check for loose, worn, and damaged rungs or side rails, damaged or corroded cages, corroded guards, bolts, and rivet heads, damaged or corroded handrails and brackets on platforms, broken or loose anchorages, weakened or damaged rungs on brick or concrete slabs, defects in climbing devices, slippery surfaces from oil and ice, and clutter obstructing the base of the ladder or platform. [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9]

Safe Climbing Practices for Fixed Ladders

When climbing a fixed ladder, wait until the other person has exited before ascending or descending. Use appropriate safety devices such as restraint belts, traveling fixtures, vertical lifelines, or safety rails. Maintain three-point contact, keeping two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, on the ladder at all times. Face the ladder and use both hands to grip the rungs firmly. Place feet firmly on each rung. Wear footwear with heels and ensure that footwear is in good condition. Clean muddy or slippery boot soles before mounting the ladder. Rise or lower tools and materials using a hand-line. [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5]

Prohibitions

Ladders should not be used in a horizontal position as a scaffold plank or runway. Do not use items such as a chair, barrel, or box as a makeshift ladder. Avoid using a portable ladder when other types of equipment and safe means of access are available; replace a ladder with a fixed stairway or scaffold where possible. [8] [8] [8]

Wooden Ladder Specifics

Job-Built Ladder Construction

Where a portable wooden ladder is constructed at the job site, the side rails must be of specific dimensions depending on the length of the ladder. The side rails shall not be notched, dapped, tapered, or spliced, and the distance between the inner faces of the side rails must be within a specified range. Cleats must also meet dimensional requirements and be properly spaced and nailed to the side rails. The spaces on the side rails between the cleats should be filled with close-fitting and well-secured filler pieces of the same thickness as the cleats. Double cleat ladders must have three rails evenly spaced and meet width and cleat extension requirements. [13]

Protective Coatings

A protective coating applied to a wooden ladder, other than a small amount for identification purposes, must be transparent to allow defects to be discovered by inspection. Wooden ladders or stepladders should not be painted with a substance other than a transparent coating. [13] [14]

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