Falls from ladders account for 20% of all fatalities and lost-workday injuries in general industry according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics. Ensuring that all ladders meet OSHA and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards is critical in mitigating this statistic.
OSHA published an update to its walking-working surface rule (Subpart D) for general industry in 2016. Subpart D applies to all general industry workplaces, covers all walking-working surfaces unless specifically excluded, and incorporates advances in technology, industry best practices, and national consensus standards to better address slip, trip, and fall hazards.
OSHA incorporated its previously separate regulations for portable wood ladders, portable metal ladders, and fixed ladders under one comprehensive ladder standard: 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.23, Ladders , applies to all ladders used in general industry with a few exceptions that are outlined in that CFR.
Under the General Requirements section (29 CFR 1910.23(b)), OSHA addresses proper ladder-climbing technique. It requires that employees always maintain three points of contact when ascending or descending a ladder by:
Employers must ensure every employee follows this climbing technique.
The General Requirements also cover the design specifications for rungs and steps used on ladders and stepstools. Except for ladders used in elevator shafts and communication towers, the design for rungs and steps must meet the following criteria:
Portable ladders, which can be readily moved or carried, usually consist of side rails joined at intervals by steps, rungs, or cleats.
Employers must ensure that portable ladders meet the following requirements.
A mobile ladder stand is a mobile, fixed-height, self-supporting ladder that usually consists of wheels or casters on a rigid base and steps leading to a top step. It may also have handrails and is designed for use by one employee at a time. A mobile ladder stand platform adds one or more standing platforms that are provided with means of access or egress.
Employers must ensure these stands and platforms conform to the following;
Ladder styles include:
Ladders are rated as follows;
ANSI is very specific in the design and construction of wood ladders due to the potential defects and types of wood species available. Metal ladder design and construction requirements are minimized because of the wide variety of materials and design possibilities. However, ladders must be of sufficient strength and stiffness to meet performance requirements and must not have any structural defects or hazards such as sharp edges, burrs, etc. Plastic or fiberglass ladders must use fully cured, commercial-grade, thermosetting, polyester resin with glass-fiber reinforcement.
Electrical hazards, temperature extremes, corrosion, outdoor weathering, etc., will help the user determine the proper ladder material.
The proper use of portable ladders includes:
The user must read the manufacturer’s instructions before first use. The user should not use a ladder if sleepy or ill, taking medication, or if there is potential for high wind or lightening. Do not block doorways or other high-traffic areas. Ensure doors are locked and marked with warning signs or cones, and station an attendant at the doorway to keep pedestrian traffic away if possible. Do not use metal ladders near power lines or other sources of electricity to avoid electrical shock hazards. Inspect before use for damage or wear. If a ladder is found to be unsafe for use, remove it from service, and mark it with a “Do Not Use” tag.
Ensure the ladder is proper for the job and that it is properly rated. Ensure it is long enough for the work to be completed safely. Ladder feet should be firmly and evenly planted on the ground. Use boards on soft or uneven ground under the ladder’s feet. Tie off the top of an extension ladder and/or have another person foot the ladder by placing their feet up against the bottom of the rails where the feet contact the ground and placing their hands on a rung at a comfortable height. Rest both rungs of the ladder against the wall or other support. Stepladders must be spread fully and locked into position. Fixed-length and extension ladders must be placed at an angle so they are 1 foot from the wall for every 4 feet of working ladder height.
Make sure hands, shoes, and ladder rungs are dry. Always maintain three points of contact on the ladder (two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet) when ascending or descending. Always face a ladder. Climb slowly. Keep your weight centered between side rails. Do not lean back, and never stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder or top four rungs of an extension ladder.
Ladders must be marked with size, type and/or duty rating, maximum working length (if extension ladder), highest standing level, total length of sections (if extension ladder), model number or name, manufacturer’s or distributor’s name, manufacturer’s plant location (if multiple plants may be coded), month and year of manufacture, and ANSI compliance and warranty (if applicable). Usage guidelines and other warning statements must also be placed on the ladder in specific locations depending on ladder type.
Ladders have been proven to be a dangerous but necessary tool on the work site. Proper use and maintenance are required to ensure employees remain safe. As with any tool, the user is the last line of defense when it comes to their own safety. Inspect a ladder before use and be knowledgeable in what is required to ensure the ladder is in good condition and is the proper type.
Paul Chamberlain has been the Safety Manager for American Electrical Testing Co. LLC since 2009. He has been in the safety field for the past 17 years, working for various companies and in various industries. He received a BS in safety and environmental protection from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.