Ladder Safety and Inspection

Ladder Safety

Ladder Inspection

• Conduct regular inspections (before each use, monthly, and after any incident) to identify damaged or worn-out ladders
• Check for:
  • Cracks or dents in side rails
  • Rungs or steps that are broken, loose, or missing
  • Worn or damaged feet or levelers
  • Loose or corroded bolts or rivets
  • Any other signs of wear or damage

Fall Protection

• Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder:
  • Two hands and one foot
  • Two feet and one hand
• Ensure the ladder is on a firm, level surface
• Use ladder safety accessories, such as ladder stabilizers or levelers, when necessary
• Never lean over the side of the ladder to reach; instead, move the ladder to a position where you can work safely

Employee Training

• Provide training on ladder safety and proper use to all employees who will be using ladders
• Training should cover:
  • Ladder inspection and maintenance
  • Proper ladder set-up and use
  • Hazard identification and fall protection
  • Emergency procedures

Hazard Identification

• Identify potential hazards before using a ladder, such as:
  • Slippery or uneven surfaces
  • Overhead obstacles
  • Electrical hazards
  • Weather conditions (e.g., wind, rain)
  • Inadequate lighting
• Take steps to mitigate or eliminate identified hazards

Ladder Maintenance

• Regularly clean and store ladders to prevent damage
• Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as:
  • Lubricating hinges and joints
  • Tightening bolts and rivets
  • Replacing worn or damaged parts
• Keep a record of maintenance and repairs to ensure accountability and track ladder history

Ladder Safety

Ladder Inspection

• Regular inspections are crucial to identify damaged or worn-out ladders
• Inspect ladders:
  • Before each use
  • Monthly
  • After any incident
• Check ladders for:
  • Cracks or dents in side rails
  • Broken, loose, or missing rungs or steps
  • Worn or damaged feet or levelers
  • Loose or corroded bolts or rivets
  • Signs of wear or damage

Fall Protection

• Maintain three points of contact with the ladder:
  • Two hands and one foot
  • Two feet and one hand
• Ensure the ladder is on a:
  • Firm surface
  • Level surface
• Use ladder safety accessories:
  • Ladder stabilizers
  • Levelers
• Never lean over the side of the ladder to reach

Employee Training

• Provide training on:
  • Ladder safety
  • Proper use
• Training should cover:
  • Ladder inspection and maintenance
  • Proper set-up and use
  • Hazard identification and fall protection
  • Emergency procedures
• All employees who use ladders must receive training

Hazard Identification

• Identify potential hazards:
  • Slippery or uneven surfaces
  • Overhead obstacles
  • Electrical hazards
  • Weather conditions (e.g., wind, rain)
  • Inadequate lighting
• Take steps to mitigate or eliminate identified hazards

Ladder Maintenance

• Regularly:
  • Clean ladders
  • Store ladders to prevent damage
• Perform routine maintenance tasks:
  • Lubricate hinges and joints
  • Tighten bolts and rivets
  • Replace worn or damaged parts
• Keep a record of maintenance and repairs