Ladder Safety in the Workplace Spelled Out

You will come across numerous situations to use ladders in the workplace. Regardless of the reason why you use a ladder, you should be mindful about safety. That’s because falling from ladders is equivalent to around 30% of accidents that involve falling from heights. To help you stay away from such accidents and serious injuries, we will share several useful tips for ladder safety. Make sure that you keep these in the back of your mind when using a ladder at workplace.

Don’t use ladders

The very first rule in ladder safety is not to use any ladders. If you don’t take any risk without using a ladder, you don’t need to worry about accidents. However, it will not be possible for you to stay away from using ladders at all times. Before you do something, you should assess the situation again and see whether a ladder is really needed. Then you can decide.

Use ladders only for short-duration work

You should never consider ladders as working platforms. Instead, you need to be using ladders to access something quickly. Ladders are not designed with fall prevention or fall protection mechanisms. You don’t even find any edge protection in ladders. Therefore, you must use a ladder only if you can get something done within 30 minutes on top of it.

Use ladders only on stable surfaces

When using a ladder, you should place it on top of a stable surface. The surface should be in a position to hold the weight of the ladder as well as your weight. This is why you need to make sure that the surface is strong and levelled. Make sure that it won’t make the ladder slip as well.

Use ladders only in safe places

It is better to examine the area carefully before you use a ladder. Some people use ladders whenever they come across maintenance work. Instead of blindly using ladders, you must check and see whether the area can really be used for a ladder.

For example, you should not use ladders in driveways or passengers. If you want to use, you must make sure that there is a way to ensure your protection. Similarly, you need to use signage or barriers to warn people as well. It is better to have an assistant with you, who will be able to ensure your safety at all times.

Stick to the 4 to 1 Rule when using ladders

When using ladders, you should be familiar with the 4 to 1 Rule. This is where you need to position the ladder at an angle of 75-degrees. When you stick to this angle, you can make sure that the distance in between the wall and the base of your ladder is ¼th of height as reached by the ladder. This is a stable position to operate a ladder effectively.

Secure the ladder

Before getting on top of a ladder, you must make sure that it is stable and secured effectively. There is a possibility for a ladder to slip inside or outside. Neither of that should happen.

When you are reaching the top of the ladder, you will experience movement in sideways as well. This is where you need to fix the ladder to something at the top as well. Then you can make sure that your ladder doesn’t slip sideways or outwards.

Take a look at the condition of your ladder

Another important thing you should do before using the ladder is to inspect its condition. If the ladder is worn out, or defective, you should never take a risk by using it. Ladders are some of the well-used equipment at home. They are usually durable. However, you will be subjecting the ladders to significant wear and tear when using, handling, or even transporting them. This is why you need to inspect the ladders regularly.

During your ladder inspections, you must carefully look for damage, decay, warping, or splits. For example, a defective or missing rung can make you lose your footing and fall off from the ladder. If you have wooden ladders that are not painted, you should carefully inspect them as well. That’s because flaking paint can lead you to slips. They might even disguise damages hidden under.

Double check ladder when you change its position

When you change the position of your ladder, you must double check and inspect for safety before using it. Make sure that you spend enough time on this, so that you can avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Never get to the top three rungs of your ladder

It is not a wise idea to get to the top three rungs of your ladder and work. You need to make sure that there is enough space for you to work while keeping three rungs vacant from the top of your ladder.

When you are climbing up or down the ladder, you will come across the need to use both your hands. This is where you need to make sure that sufficient handhold is available. When you get to the top of your ladder, you will not have any hand support. This can make you run into accidents. Even when you are using ladders for access, you need to make sure that they protrude above the access point. Then you can keep handhold at all times.

Understand the limits of your ladder

You should never use ladders to access areas of work above 20 feet. That’s because ladders are not designed to reach such heights. Instead, you need to look for an alternative method such as scaffolding to reach such heights.

Final words

As you can see, there are quite a few important things to keep in mind when using ladders. Always adhere to these safety tips and use ladders. Then you can ensure peace of mind as you continue to work with them.