New Mexico Contractors Need to do Regular Ladder Inspections – Here’s Why

Even though they can be avoided entirely, accidents involving falls from ladders still occur frequently (thousands of times annually). OSHA citations for ladder violations came in at number three on the list of the most serious offenses in 2021. Ladders are involved in approximately 81% of all fall injuries sustained by construction workers. The high number of injuries and fatalities that occur at work due to falling from ladders highlights the significance of regular ladder inspections.

Employers are responsible for training all workers who properly use ladders to inspect the ladders they provide. Before each use, the ladders are put through these inspections to guarantee that they are in good working order. We will discuss the criteria that must be met during ladder inspections and the actions that must be taken if a ladder does not pass.

OSHA Regulations Regarding the Inspection of Ladders

The OSHA standards listed below pertain to inspections of ladders.

Ladder safety is addressed in OSHA standard 1910.23, which applies to general industry. It applies to every type of ladder, except those used for rescue operations and those that are an inseparable component of a piece of machinery or equipment. To comply with the standard, ladders need to be inspected before their first use, then again before the start of each shift, and even more frequently if required. Inspections of ladders ensure that they are free of any flaws or damage that could lead to the ladder breaking or failing to function properly. The proper construction of several different kinds of ladders is also covered in detail by the standard. This includes the width of the steps as well as the distance between each step.

The use of ladders and construction are covered by OSHA standard 1926.1053, respectively. It outlines the procedures that should be followed while constructing ladders and how they should be utilized on building sites. “Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects periodically and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use,” as stated in standard 1926.1053(b)(15). “A competent person shall inspect ladders for visible defects after any occurrence that could affect their safe use.” Any ladders found to be defective upon inspection are to be removed from service immediately and either fixed or replaced.

According to OSHA standard 1910.30, employers must provide their employees with training on the safe use of ladders. Training your workers to prevent falls from heights should include instruction on safe ladder use. Workers are responsible for educating themselves on the nature of ladder hazards and how to recognize and mitigate those hazards. Retraining employees regularly to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information is another requirement for businesses. Toolbox talks are an excellent method for reviewing previously acquired knowledge regarding ladder safety. If a worker believes they are in danger, they have the option to decline further employment.

When Should Ladders Be Inspected?

According to OSHA standard 1910.23, ladders should be inspected before the beginning of each shift or more frequently as required. The workers should be trained to check the condition of the ladders before using them each time to ensure they are in good working order.

The workers use various ladders, each constructed from a different material.

Step stools are typically shaped like an A and designed to stand independently. To maintain the ladder’s steadiness, they need a spreader or locking mechanism. Wood, fiberglass, or aluminum might be used in their construction, depending on the design.

Leaned up against the structure are the straight ladders that are used to reach higher levels. When the system is tilted at an angle of 75 degrees, the top must extend beyond the structure’s height by a distance of three feet. Straight ladders with a fly section that can be moved to different positions and adjusted to different heights are called extension ladders. Visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Ladder Safety App for assistance selecting and inspecting ladders (available for Android and iOS, in both English and Spanish).

Examining Every Ladder

When inspecting a ladder, the first thing to do is check to see if all of the tags, labels, and stickers that came with it from the manufacturer are still there. There should be no painting or other markings that obscure the brands in any way; they should be easily readable. The following items of information are included on these tags and labels:

• Ladder size
• Classification by type and duty rating
• Extension ladders have a maximum recommended working length.
• Model number or name
• The name of the manufacturer or the distributor
• The location of the manufacturer’s plant
• ANSI compliance and warranty information, if applicable, along with the month and year of manufacturing

Additional rules and cautions can be found here.

Inspect the feet of the ladder, beginning at the bottom, to ensure that they are in excellent shape and standing on level, solid ground. If the feet are not in the right positions, the ladder has to be adjusted to have a secure basis. In addition, the 4-1 rule should be adhered to while positioning ladders. If the ladder is missing feet, it is a risk that it could slip, resulting in a dangerous fall.

Next, examine the side rails and steps of the ladder to ensure that they are free of any damage, dents, dirt, rust, or corrosion that may have formed. The measures must be firmly fastened to the side rails. It is important to clean the stairs thoroughly and remove any material that can make them slippery, such as mud, grease, or grime.

Make sure that all of the rung locks and spreader bars are correctly engaged and that they are all firmly attached.

Examining Particular Varieties of Ladders

Stepladders

Before utilizing, ensure that the top cap, stairs, side rails, and locking bracing are all in good condition. Loose locking braces or spreaders might cause a stepladder’s inability to maintain stability and wobble while used.

Inspect the platform and the shelf for the pail as well. Remove the ladder from service if the following conditions exist: shaky, cracked, bent, missing, or broken.

Extension Ladders

Inspecting all components, including the rungs, rails, extension locks (dawgs), rope, and pulley assembly, are in good functioning order.

What to Do with Ladders After They Have Been Inspected

Any ladders that are found to be faulty or do not pass the inspection must be removed from service immediately. They need to have a notice attached to them that says, “Do not use.” Pieces of plywood or other suitable impediments must be used to block fixed ladders.

If a ladder can be mended to meet the same standards as when it was first designed, it ought to be fixed. If the ladder cannot be fixed, it should be destroyed or recycled. When repairing a ladder, never use wire, screws, bolts, or tape in any way. Any setting is unsafe for using a ladder that has been damaged in any way.