Page 42 - Occupational Health & Safety, March 2017

FALL PREVENTION
T h e N a t i o n a l M o v e m e n t i n L a d d We r S a f e t y
New, safer designs will help prevent those hy do ladder accidents happen? If a
accidents when we are in a hurry or forget the basic rules.
BY DAVID FRANCIS
ladder is in good condition and is used properly, it will almost never be the cause of an accident. Then why are
there so many accidents involving ladders? Statistics show that 500 workers will go to the emergency room each day because of a ladder-related injury. Ladders are tested at four times their rating, so if your ladder is a Type IA, 300-pounds-rated ladder, it would have been tested at 1,200 pounds. So why are there so many accidents? Part of the answer involves the two condi- tions listed in the opening sentence of this article: good condition and used properly.
Good Condition
A ladder in good condition will easily hold your weight and a lot more. If a ladder is dented, bent, cracked, or split, you don’t know how much weight it will hold. That’s why it is so important to inspect your ladder before every use.
Besides checking the rungs and side rails for any damage, make sure you check the feet. The feet of a ladder are like the tire on your vehicle; they are made of soft material so they will grip the ground. Just as with the tire on your vehicle, if the tread wears down on your ladder feet, they need to be replaced.
If you’re not sure of everything you need to look for in the inspection, there’s an app for that. NIOSH has a free ladder safety app that has a section with a step-by-step ladder inspection.
When choosing a ladder, make sure it has the right weight rating for you plus the weight of your work clothes, boots, and tools. You would be sur- prised how much all your gear adds to your weight.
Proper Use
Once you have inspected your ladder to make sure it is in good condition, there are three more recommen- dations for safe ladder use: choosing the right ladder for the job, proper set-up, and proper climbing.
When choosing a ladder, make sure it has the right weight rating for you plus the weight of your work clothes, boots, and tools. You would be surprised how much all your gear adds to your weight. Make sure you are using the right style of ladder. If you are climb- ing on the roof, you should be using an extension lad- der. Never use an A-frame ladder closed and leaned against the wall.
Incorrect: Overreaching causes the worst types of injuries.
38 Occupational Health & Safety | MARCH 2017
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LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS