To prevent falls and injuries when using ladders, it's important to follow safety regulations and guidelines. Here’s a comprehensive overview:

General Requirements:

• Ladders should be provided at all points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches (48 cm) or more, unless a ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided LLMCitation(cited_text_snippet= [4]

Rungs, cleats, and steps must be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in use. [1]

Each employee must face the ladder when climbing up or down and use at least one hand to grasp the ladder. [1] [1]

Employees should not carry any object or load that could cause them to lose balance and fall. [1]

Ladders should only be used for their designed purpose [2]

Ladders must be inspected before initial use in each work shift and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury [2]

Any ladder with structural or other defects must be immediately tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" and removed from service until repaired or replaced [2]

Metal ladders should be made with corrosion-resistant material or protected against corrosion and ladder surfaces should be free of puncture and laceration hazards [2] [2]

Ladders should be used only on stable and level surfaces unless they are secured or stabilized to prevent accidental displacement [3]

Ladders placed in locations where they can be displaced by other activities or traffic must be secured to prevent accidental displacement or guarded by a temporary barricade [3] [3] [3]

No ladder should be moved, shifted, or extended while an employee is on it [3]

Ladders should not be loaded beyond the maximum intended load [3]

The top of a non-self-supporting ladder should be placed so that both side rails are supported, unless the ladder is equipped with a single support attachment [3]

Portable ladders used on slippery surfaces must be secured and stabilized [3]

The cap and top step of a stepladder should not be used as steps [3]

Rungs and steps of portable metal ladders must be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize the possibility of slipping [2]

Each stepladder or combination ladder used in a stepladder mode must be equipped with a metal spreader or locking device that securely holds the front and back sections in an open position while the ladder is in use [2]

No portable single rail ladders are allowed [3]