Submitted by admin on Mon, 2010-11-15 17:03
Every year hundreds of employees are injured in accidents related to ladder safety incidents.
The risk risk of these injuries increases over the holiday season when many workers are hanging lights and other seasonal decorations. Last year in the US, Department of Labor & Industries inspectors cited a number of employers for ladder safety violations related to holiday decorating. The violations included workers hanging decorations without any fall protection, workers standing on top of ladders, and other cases of ladders being used in an unsafe manner.
WISHA has published a list of tips for safe ladder use during the holiday season:
- Carefully inspect the ladder for defects, checking for cracks, corrosion, and that bolts and rivets are secure. Tag and remove unsafe ladders from service.
- Make sure the ladder’s feet work properly and have slip-resistant pads.
- Use a fiberglass ladder if there is any chance of contact with electricity.
- When setting the ladder, look for a safe location with firm, level footing and rigid support for the top of the ladder. Be sure to set it at an angle per the manufacturer’s guidance.
- When climbing off a ladder at an upper level, make sure the ladder extends three feet above the landing.
- When climbing the ladder, use three points of contact – keep one hand and both feet or both hands and one foot in contact with the ladder at all times.
- Never carry any load that could cause you to lose balance.
- Never stand on top of a ladder.
- Don’t pull, lean, stretch, or make sudden moves on a ladder that could cause it to tip over. A scaffold or other safe working surface may be a better choice for your task.
- Avoid setting the ladder near exit doors, near the path of pedestrian, or vehicular traffic.
Related training courses: Online Ladder safety Training.
