Falls from ladders are a leading cause of workplace fatalities. By following the basic rules of ladder safety and having a fall prevention plan in place, serious accidents can be eliminated or substantially reduced.

Here are five basic rules for ladder safety.

1.Use the right ladder for the job

It is important to choose a ladder that has the proper load capacity for the job. Consider your own weight as well as the weight of your equipment, tools and materials. The ladder must be long enough to work from without using the top 3 feet.

2. Inspect the ladder before and after use

Before use:

• Check the ladder’s stability.
• Ensure that all screws, bolts and hinges are tight and that the base of the ladder is secure.
• Look for loose or damaged rungs, steps, side rails, supports and any other structural damage.
• Check for any dirt, grease or paint that could cause slips and falls.
• Remove ladders with structural damage from service.
• Your ladder should not be in close proximity to electrical wiring.

After use:

• Check for any new structural damage to the steps, side rails, rungs and supports.
• Check for any bends and any loosened screws, hinges and bolts.
• Recheck the ladder’s stability.

3. Set the ladder up correctly

Ladder placement is important. When using a portable ladder, make sure it is placed on a level surface and that it has non-slip base pads. Protect the base of ladder with a barricade in high traffic areas. Be sure to lock or block any nearby doors that open toward you. If you’re using a stepladder, ensure that it is fully open before use.

A straight ladder should be placed at a four-to-one ratio, which means that the base should be 1 foot away from the wall or vertical surface for every 4 feet of height to the point of support. When climbing onto a roof or platform from a ladder, the ladder must extend at least 3 feet above the edge and be tied off at the top.

4. Climb and descend the ladder with caution

Stay near the middle and face the ladder while holding onto the side rails with at least one hand when climbing or descending. Carry your tools on a belt or hoist and always keep at least three limbs on the ladder. Look for overhead power lines before handling or climbing a ladder.

5. Be safe and use common sense when using a ladder

• Do not lean outside the ladder rails.
• Keep the ladder and the surrounding area free of clutter.
• Never use a ladder for something other than its intended purpose. Never use a ladder horizontally like a platform.
• Do not carry loads that prevent using at least one hand on the ladder.
• Do not stand on the top step or the top cap, and do not overload your ladder.
• Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases.
• Do not move or shift a ladder with a person or equipment on the ladder.

FFor easy reference, we’ve created this handy infographic on ladder safety.

Source: https://safety.nmsu.edu/

Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. By having a fall prevention plan in place and using the correct safety equipment, serious injuries and fatal accidents can be prevented. Here are five ways for workers and employers to identify and prevent common fall hazards on a construction site.

Here are five ways for workers and employers to identify and prevent common fall hazards on a construction site.

1. Inspect your safety gear before starting a job

It is important to inspect all safety gear before starting a job. Inspect your harness, lanyard, and anchorage point before each use.

2. Use the correct fall protection

Employers must provide sufficient fall protection and safety equipment to workers working six feet or more above lower levels. These workers are at risk of serious injury or death if they should fall.

3. Before starting a job, have a fall prevention plan in place.

Employers must have a fall prevention plan in place when working from heights to ensure worker safety. This includes how the job will be completed, the various tasks involved, and the safety equipment needed to complete each task.

When estimating job costs, employers should include all the necessary safety equipment and tools, as well as a plan to have it available at the construction site.

4. Provide workers with the right equipment for the job

It is important that workers use the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear. Workers using personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) while doing roof work must wear a harness that ties off to the anchor. The PFAS must be fitted properly and should be regularly inspected for safe use.

5. Train workers to use the equipment safely

Employers must train all workers on proper set-up and use of equipment on the job, as well as recognizing safety hazards.

By incorporating these basic safety principles, your workers and construction site will be safer and more efficient. View our available courses section to see various courses on fall safety.

Stop falls. Save lives

Source: OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign