According to the American Academy of Orthopedic surgeons, every year an average of 500,000 people end up in the emergency room because of ladder accidents. No one knows how many others are injured but don’t seek medical attention for their injuries. In the United States about 300 people die every year from ladder related accidents. The cost of ladder related injuries in the US is about $11 billion annually. We can’t work without using ladders but we can avoid becoming a statistic by learning to use ladders safely and by practicing ladder safety faithfully.

Ladder safety begins with selecting the right ladder for the job.

OSHA Requirements To meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, climbing equipment must meet or exceed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. All Type I, IA, and IAA fiberglass, aluminum, and wood ladders, ladder jacks, and extension planks meet or exceed requirements. OSHA regulations apply to ladders used in the workplace. Thus Type I, IA, or IAA rated ladders are recommended for such applications.

Types of ladders

There are basically two styles of ladders-extension ladders and stepladders.

· Extension ladders are used primarily outside and are typically available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 40 foot heights.

· Stepladders are used primarily indoors and come in heights ranging from 3 feet to 16 feet in height.

· Both extension ladders and stepladders are available in wood, aluminum and fiberglass construction. I use nothing but fiberglass ladders because they are nonconductive and will give you an added degree of protection against accidental electrocution if you should accidentally come into contact with a live wire.

Ladder load ratings

Besides length ladders are rated for the weight that they can safely bear. See table below

LOAD

CAPACITY

TYPE

GRADE

TYPICAL USE

375 lbs

IAA

Commercial

General heavy duty applications (available as step ladders only)

300 lbs

IA

Heavy duty industrial

Industrial, building, roofing, general contractors

250 lbs

I

Industrial

General Contracting, Building Maintenance, Dry walling

225 lbs

II

Commercial

Light commercial, painting, cleaning, light repair

200 lbs

III

Household

Painting, yard work, chores

Remember that load capacity has to cover your body weight plus whatever tools and materials you are carrying. Personally I would never go with a ladder with anything below an IA type rating.

Selecting the right height ladder for the job

SELECTING THE RIGHT STEP LADDER

MAXIMUM WORKING HEIGHT

HEIGHT OF LADDER REQUIRED

7 FT

3 FT

8 FT

4 FT

9 FT

5 FT

10 FT

6 FT

11 FT

7 FT

12 FT

8 FT

14 FT

10 FT

15 FT

11 FT

16 FT

12 FT

18 FT

14 FT

20 FT

16 FT

SELECTING THE RIGHT HEIGHT EXTENSION LADDER

MAXIMUM WORKING HEIGHT

HEIGHT OF LADDER REQUIRED

15 FT

16 FT

19 FT

20 FT

23 FT

24 FT

27 FT

28 FT

31 FT

32 FT

34 FT

36 FT

37 FT

40 FT

Safety rule number one: Always select the right type of ladder for the job (ladder type, height, load rating and material.)

Safety rule number two: Always inspect a ladder for damage before using it.

Safety rule number three: Always wear work shoes with nonslip soles when working on ladders

Safety rule number four: Never stand above the safe level on any ladder. The safe levels are

· The second step from the top on a stepladder, and

· The fourth rung from the top on an extension ladder

Safety rule number five: Always make sure to erect ladders on an even, firm surface. If you must set an extension ladder up on an uneven surface, equip the ladder with ladder levelers. If the ground is level but soft place the ladder on a piece of 2”X12”.

Safety rule number six: Always observe the 4 to 1 rule when using extension ladders. For every four feet between the ground and where the ladder makes contact with the structure the base of the ladder should be a distance of one foot from the wall. In other words if the ladder rest against the edges of a roof that’s 20 feet above the ground the bottom of the ladder should be out a minimum of 5 feet from the building.

Safety rule number seven: Always check overhead before setting an extension ladder up to make sure you have sufficient clearance between the ladder and any overhead electrical wires.

Safety rule number eight: Always “walk” an extension ladder up, don’t lift it with brute force, you could hurt your back.

· With the ladder in the closed position and its fixed section on top of its fly section, block the feet of the ladder against the building’s wall. If necessary, foot the ladder against the feet of another person.

· Slowly walk the ladder up to a vertical position

· Check for overhead clearance and then lift the ladder into position. Gripping the ladder firmly so as to keep it in a vertical position move it away from the wall far enough to achieve the proper angle.

· Keeping the ladder vertical, using the rope and pulley, raise the fly section to the required height. Once the bottom rung of the fly section clears the bottom rung on the fixed section place one foot on the bottom rung to help keep the ladder firmly in place.

· Carefully lean the ladder against the building. If you have observed the 4 to 1 Rule the ladder should be leaning against the building with a 75 Ѕ ° angle. If the ladder is leaning against the edge of a roof the top of the ladder should extend at least 3 feet above the roof’s edge.

· Check to make sure the ladder is setting on a firm, level surface.

· Check to be sure that all the locking devices have full engaged

Safety rule number nine: Rules for working on a ladder

· Always maintain 3-point contact with the ladder. Either one foot and two hands or two feet and one hand should be in contact with the ladder at all times

· When working on a ladder never allow your belt buckle to pass beyond the ladder’s rail

· If the work you are performing requires the use of both hands it’s safer to erect and work off of scaffolding than a ladder.

· Allow only one person on a ladder at a time

· Do not carry building materials up a ladder; haul them up with a system of ropes and pulleys.