Ladders WHS-LEG Ohsc p08

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Occupational Health and Safety Code 2009 Part 8Explanation Guide

Part 8 Entrances, Walkways, Stairways andLadders

Highlights

Section 119 requires the employer to identify a secondary escape route for

situations inwhich aworker couldbecome isolated from a primary escape

route.

Section 127 requires employers to ensure that ladders used near energized

equipmentarenonconducting.

Section 130 references Process Industry Practices (PIP) Standard STF05501

(February2002),FixedLaddersandCages,forthedesignandconstructionoffixed

ladders.AnemployermustensurethatafixedladderinstalledonorafterApril

30,2004,meetstherequirementsofthisstandard.

Section 131 references American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

StandardC47802,StandardSpecificationforReinforcedConcreteManholeSections,

for fixed ladders used in precast reinforced concretemanhole sections. An

employermustensure thata fixed ladderused inprecastreinforcedconcrete

manholes installed on or afterApril 30, 2004,meets the requirements of this

standard.

Section 135 recognizes both Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and

AmericanNationalStandardInstitute(ANSI)Standardsforportableladders.

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Entrances, Walkways, Stairways

Section 119 Safe entry and exit

Subsection 119(1)

Workersmustbeprovidedwithasafewayofenteringandleavingaworkarea.Safe

entry and exit must take into account both normal operations and emergency

situations. For example, a proper climbing devicemay provide safe access to a

derrickmansworkingplatformbutsafeexitfromtheplatforminanemergencymay

bebywayofanescapebuggy.Basedonthehazardspresentattheworkplaceorina

particularworkarea,multipleentryandexitpointsmayberequiredtopermitsafe

entryorexitunderemergencyconditions.

Subsections 119(2) and 119(3)

Allmeansofentryorexitmustbemaintained inagoodstateofrepaire.g.access

laddershaveallrungsinplace,thehingesandpanicbarsondoorsoperateproperly,

thebrakingmechanismofanemergencyescapebuggyoperatessmoothly.

Meansofentryandexitmustbekeptclearofmaterials,equipment,waste,andother

obstructions.Doing soallowsworkers to safelymove intoandoutofworkareas,

preventingslips,trips,andfalls.

Subsection 119(4)

Multiple entry and exit points are required in situations where a worker could

become isolated from a primary escape route and unable to return to it.A long

trenchforexample,requiresmultipleaccessladdersincaseaworkerinthetrenchis

unabletogetbacktotheprimaryaccessladdertoleavethetrench.Aroominwhich

an industrialprocessgoeson involvingdangerouschemicalsmayrequiremultiple

exitdoorwayssothatworkerscanquicklyleavetheareainanemergency.

This secondary means of escape must be conveniently located, safe for use,

maintainedtobereadyforuseatall times(as in thecaseoftheemergencyescape

buggymentioned above), andmustbe kept free of obstructions. This subsection

remindsemployers that secondarydoorways, stairways, ramps,emergencyescape

devices,etc.mustbeprovidedwherenecessaryandcannotbeforgotten.

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Subsection 119(5)

Workersmustbemadeawareoftheescaperoutestheyareexpectedtouse.

Section 120 Doors

Subsection 120(1)

Doorsmustbeappropriatelyselectedandthenmaintainedsothatworkerscanopen

themwithoutsubstantialeffort.Doorwaysmustbekeptfreeofobstructions.

Subsection 120(2)

Enclosedareasmayposeahazardtoworkersenteringthem.Examplesofenclosed

areas

include

freezers,

refrigerators,

and

rooms

that

present

conditions

hazardous

to

workers.Thetypeofdoorandhardwareusedisleftuptotheemployer.

Thedoormustbekeptingoodworkingorderandmustbeprovidedwithameans

of opening it from the inside. This is an obvious requirement for freezers and

refrigerators.Enclosedareas thatposeahazard toworkersalso requiredoors that

canbeopenedfromtheinside.

Section 121 Walkways, runways and ramps

Subsection 121(1)

Permanentandtemporarywalkways,runwaysandrampsmustbe

(a) strongenoughtosupportallexpectedloads,

(b)at least600mmwide topermit thesafemovementofequipmentandworkers,

and

(c) whereapplicable,beequippedwithguardrailsandtoeboards.Guardrailsmust

meettherequirementsofsection315andtoeboardsmustmeettherequirements

ofsection321.

Subsection 121(2)

Walkways, runways and ramps must provide workers with enough traction to

prevent slipping. For walkways, runways and ramps located in a controlled

environment,nonslip,abrasivesurfacesmaybeadequate.Forlocationsexposedto

weather,oratworkplaceswheredebrisormaterialsdamageorcoat thesenonslip

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surfaces so that they are of little or no value, expandedmetal orwebbedmetal

shouldbeused.This type of construction sheds ice, snow, anddebris,providing

reliabletractionunderavarietyofconditions.

Section 122 Stairways

Subsection 122(1)

Throughout the lengthofastairway, thewidthof the treadsand theheightof the

risemustnotchange.Thisreducesthe likelihoodofworkerstrippingorstumbling

duetounexpectedchangesastheymoveupordownthestairway.Treadsmustalso

belevel.

Subsection 122(2)

Stairwayswith fiveormore risersmustbeequippedwithahandrailmeeting the

requirements forhandrailsdescribed insection123.Handrailsprovideahandhold

thathelpsworkerstopreventfalling.

Astairwayhavinganopenorunprotectedsidemustnotonlyhaveahandrail,but

must also have an intermediate rail or equivalent safeguard e.g., filled in with

expandedmetal,solidplywoodbarricade,etc.Ineffect,aguardrailisbeingplaced

acrosstheopenorunprotectedsideofthestairway.

Subsection 122(3)

Temporary stairsmustbe at least 600mmwide topermit the safemovement of

equipmentandworkers.

Readers interested indesignspecificationsforfixed industrialstairsshouldconsult

thefollowingsource(therearemanyothersthatcouldalsoproveuseful):

www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3234.htmlCaliforniaCodeofRegulations,Title8,Section3234,IndustrialFixedLadders

Section 3234 contains specifications for the safe design and construction of fixed

generalindustrialstairs.Thisincludesinteriorandexteriorstairsaroundmachinery,

tanks,andotherequipment,andstairsleadingtoorfromfloors,platforms,orpits.

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Section 123 Handrails on stairways

This section lists the design requirements that apply to handrails on stairways

having5ormorerisers.

Ladders General

Section 124 Restriction on use

Toenterorleaveanelevatedorsublevelarea,aladdershouldbeusedonlyifthere

isnoothersafeandrecognizablewayofdoingso.Walkingdownanearthenrampor

walkingupasetofstairsarepreferredtousingaladder.

Section 125 Prohibition on single rail

Employersareresponsibleformakingsurethatladdersareusedproperly.Thisalso

means that employers must make sure that the correct type of ladder is used.

Laddersmadeby fastening cleatsor stepsacrossa single railorpostmustnotbe

built,letaloneused.Suchadeviceisunstableandunsafeforuse.

Section 126 Prohibition on painting

Paintandothercoatingscanpreventapersonfromseeingtheconditionofthewood

of a wooden ladder. Only transparent, nonconductive finishes such as varnish,

shellac,oraclearpreservativeshouldbeused.Aminimumamountofpaintmaybe

usedforplacingidentifyinginformationonaladder.Ifthisisdone,themarking(s)

shouldonlyappearononefaceofthesiderails.

Ingeneral,laddersshouldbekeptfreeofanywasteproductssuchasdrywallmud,cement,paint,adhesivesorsealants.Abuildupof thesematerialscouldcoverup

damagesuchascracksandmissingconnectinghardware.

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Section 127 Use near energized electricalequipment

Metalladdersandwoodenladderswithsiderailmetalreinforcementwiresmustnot

be used during the servicing of energized or potentially energized electrical

equipment.Tomaintain theirnonconductingproperties, ladders intended foruse

aroundenergizedelectricalequipmentneedtobekeptclean.Allsurfacebuildupof

dirt,dust,grease,grimeandotherconductivematerialsneedstoberemoved.These

materialsmaycreateapath forelectricalcurrent to travelalong thesurfaceof the

ladderandendangerthepersonusingtheladder.

Section 128 Ladders on extending booms

A ladderattached toanextendingboommoveswith theboomwhile theboom isbeingpositioned.Asaresult,theladderisanunsafeplaceforaworkertobebecause

of thechanceof losingbalanceand falling.With theexceptionofprofessional fire

fightersworking on fire fighting equipment,noworker ispermitted tobe on the

ladderattachedtoanextendingboomduringboommotion.

Similarly,aboommountedladderisanunsafeplacetobeuntilthepoweredmobile

equipmenttowhichtheboomisattachedisstable.Iftheequipmenthasoutriggers,

theoutriggersmustbesetbeforeaworkerclimbstheladder.

Crawl Board or Roof Ladder

Section 129 Safe use

Figure8.1showsaroofladderinuseonaverysteeproof.Thebracketattheupper

endofacrawlboardorroofladdershouldbedeepenoughtoreachovertheridgeof

theroofandoverlaptheroofframing.

Eavestroughsmustnotbeusedtosupportacrawlboardorroof ladder.Aneaves

troughmay notbe strong enough to support the combinedweight of the crawl

boardorladderandtheworkerusingit.

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Figure 8.1 Roof ladder in use on very steep roof

Fixed Ladders

Section 130 Design criteria

Subsection 130(1)

A fixed ladder is a ladder that is an integralpart of abuilding or structure. It is

usuallyverticalbutcanbeasmuchas15Ofromthevertical.A fixed laddercannot

leanback. Figure 8.2 shows a fixed ladderwith awalkthrough at the top, and a

similarladderequippedwithaladdercage.

A ladder cage is apermanent structure attached to a ladder toprovide abarrier

between

the

worker

and

the

surrounding

space.

It

serves

to

support

a

worker

if

the

workerneedstorestagainstabarrier.Aladdercageisnotameansoffallprotection.

Figure 8.2 Fixed ladder with walkthrough at top (left); same ladder with cage(right)

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Process IndustryPractices (PIP) Standard STF05501 (February 2002), Fixed Ladders

and Cages, publishedby the Construction Industry Institute, specifies the design

details for fabrication and installation of typical fixed ladders for structures,

miscellaneousplatforms, andvessels for regularoperational entry and exit.These

detailsare intended tobe issued to fabricators supplying these laddersand to the

erectorsforuseininstallations.

AsamplecopyoftheStandardcanbeviewedatthefollowingWebsiteaddress:

http://www.pip.org/downloads/SampleSTF05501.pdf

Table 8.1 summarizes some of the most important differences between the

requirementsof thePIPStandard and the fixed ladder requirements thatwere in

effectpriortowhenthefirsteditionoftheOHSCodewent intoeffectonApril30,

2004.The requirement to complywith thePIPStandard isnot retroactive to fixed

laddersinstalledpriortotheeffectivedateofthefirsteditionoftheOHSCode.

Subsection 130(2)

ThePIPstandardreferencedinthissectionisintendedtobeusedasadesignstandard

i.e.onewhichcanbedirectlyreferencedbyanemployerorowner.Afabricatorcan

thenfabricatethefixedladderasdescribedinthestandardsmechanicaldrawings.To

complywiththeOHSCode,allthedimensionalandstrengthrequirementsofthePIP

standardmustbemet.

Somefabricatorsandemployershaveliberallyinterpretedsubsection130(2)oftheOHS

Code,suggestingthatthePIPstandardfunctionsasnomorethanadesignguideline.

Thesepartieshavechosentointerpretthesubsectionasmeaningthataslongas

establishedengineeringprinciplesarefollowed,thedimensionsspecifiedinthePIP

standardneednotbemet.Thisisanincorrectinterpretationofthewords.

Thephraseestablishedengineeringprinciplesreferstothematerialandprocess

standardsreferencedinthePIPstandard.Thereasonforusingthisphraseisthatthe

PIPStandardreferstomaterialandprocessstandardsthatreflectpracticesfollowedin

theU.S.ThesestandardsmaynotbeappropriateforuseinAlberta.Asaresult,an

employermayuseapplicableCanadianmaterialandprocessstandards.

Therehavebeenacoupleofcasesinwhichaminordimensionaldifferencehasbeen

discoveredduringcommissioningfollowinginstallationofafixedladder.Inthese

casesemployershaverequestedanacceptance.Thisisalettergrantedtothe

employerbyWorkplaceHealthandSafetystatingthattheladderinquestion

functionallycomplieswiththeOHSCode.Ineachcasetheemployerhadtoprove

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thattheladderwiththedimensionalerrorprovidedworkerswithalevelof

protectionthatwasequaltoorgreaterthanthatprovidedbyaladdermeetingallof

thePIPstandardsdimensionalrequirements.

Ineachcasetodatethedimensionaldifferencewasminoranddidnotcompromise

workersafety.Anacceptancewasgrantedineachcase.Oneoftheseacceptances

resultedintheadditionofparagraph130(2)(b)tothiseditionoftheOHSCode.

Recognizingthatlargerworkersandworkerswearingsafetyorrescueequipment

mayhavedifficultypassingthroughtheladdercagehoops,theallowablehoop

dimensionhasbeenincreased.Theinsidediameterofacagehoopcannowbeas

muchas760mm.TheexistingdimensionsshowninSectionBBofthePIPstandard

limitthewidthto686mmandthedepthto696mm.Ifanemployerusesthe760mm

dimension,thenotherdimensionalmeasurementsassociatedwiththefixedladder

mayneedtobealteredtoaccommodatethelargercagehoops.

Subsection 130(3)

ThePIPStandardspecifiesthatthefixedladdermustbemadeofsteel.Situationsmay

ariseinwhichsteelisnotthepreferredmaterialofchoicee.g.exposuretochemicals.

Fixedladdersmadeofaluminumorfiberglassareavailable.Ifafixedladderismadeof

amaterialotherthansteel,theemployermustensurethatthedesigniscertifiedbya

professionalengineerasbeingasstrongasorstrongerthanthatrequiredbyPIP

StandardSTF05501.

Subsections 130(4) and 130(5)

Ladderway floor openings and platforms are normally guarded by a standard

guardrailandtoeboardonallexposedsides,exceptattheentrancetotheopening

(see subsection 321(5)).A selfclosing doublebar safety gate or equally effective

meansmustbeprovidedat theopening topreventpersons fromwalkingdirectly

intotheopeningandfalling.

Asafetygateisnotrequiredatlandings.

Subsection 130(6)

Anaccessladderattachedtoascaffoldissubjecttotherequirementsofsection327,nottherequirementsofsection130.

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Table 8.1 Comparison of selected fixed ladder design requirements

Requirement Requirements Prior to April30, 2004

PIP Standard

Rung spacing 250 millimetres min, 305

millimetres max

300 millimetres

Clearance between ladderrungs and structure to whichladder is affixed (hand andtoe clearance)

150 millimetres min 178 millimetres; whendistance to any unavoidableobject, including insulation, isless than 178 millimetres, theminimum clearance is 39millimetres

Platform spacing intervalsand dimensions

6.5 metres(21.5 feet);760 millimetres x760 millimetres(platforms not required if theladder incorporates a fallarrest system)

9.1 metres(30 feet);762 millimetres x762 millimetres(platforms not required if theladder incorporates a fallarrest system)

Ladder cage Required if the ladder is morethan 6.5 metres (21.5 feet)long(cage not required if theladder incorporates a fallarrest system)

Required on ladder having aminimum unbroken length of6.1 metres (20 feet); (cagenot required if the ladderincorporates a fall arrestsystem)

Ladder length Not specified Max unbroken length of 9.1

metres (30 feet) unlessladder incorporates a fallarrest system

Lowest point of ladder cage No more than 3 metres (10feet) above landing or ground

Within 2.1 metres(7 feet) to 2.4 metres (8feet) of the walking surface

Ladderway opening Not specified Requires safety gate orequivalent means

Width of rungs between rails Not specified 450 millimetres

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Section 131 Fixed ladders in manholes

ASTM Standard C47807, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Manhole

Sections, includesrequirementsforthedesignofstepsand ladders installed inpre

cast reinforced concrete manholes used in sewer and water works. These

requirements includethedimensionsofstepsandrungsandappropriateclearance

distances.

Section 132 Rest platform exemption

Becauseofthedistanceandnumberoftimesaworkermayclimbafixedladderona

drilling rig or service rig, and the impracticality ofprovidingplatforms on a rig,

workersarepermittedtouseanassistdevice,oftencounterbalanced,toascendanddescend the ladder. This assist device does not replace the need for a fall arrest

systemorladdercage,asappropriate.

Portable Ladders

Section 133 Prohibition

Unlesspermittedby themanufacturers specifications,aworkermustneverwork

from the top two rungs, steps, or cleats of aportable ladder.Unlessdesigned to

permit such use, portable ladders canbecomeunstable orworkers can lose their

balanceforlackofsiderailstoholdwhileworkingfromthetoptworungs,steps,or

cleats.

CSAStandardCAN3Z11M81 (R2005),PortableLadders,recognizesstepstoolsofa

particular type asbeing aportable ladder.With thatparticular typeof step stool,

workersarepermittedtostandonanyrung,includingthetopplate.

Thefollowingsafetyprecautionsshouldbefollowedwhenusingastepladder:

Neverworkfromthetoptwotreadsofastepladderunlesspermittedtodosoby

themanufacturersspecifications(seeFigure8.3).

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Figure 8.3 Safely working from a stepladder

Alwaysfacethestepladdertreadswhenusingastepladder.

Neveruseastepladderforentrytoorexitfromanotherworkarea.

Neverleantoonesideoroverreachwhileusingastepladder.

Unlesspermittedby the stepladdermanufacturer,neveruse a stepladder as a

supportforaworkingplatformastheladderistoounstable.

Alwaysvisuallyinspecttheladderbeforeeachuse.

Alwaysplaceastepladderonafirm,flatsurface.

Donotplaceastepladderonboxesorscaffoldstogainextraheight.

Always

take

care

when

positioning

a

stepladder

in

corridors

or

driveways

where

itcouldbehitbyapersonorvehicle.Setupsuitablebarrierswherenecessary. Setbaseonsecure,evensurface.Shimthebaseifnecessary(seeFigure8.4)

Figure 8.4 Example of shimming the ladder base on uneven ground

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For more information

www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/pubs/3083.pdfPortableLaddersTypes,Use&Care(OregonOSHA)

Section 134 Constructed portable ladder

Manyfallshappenwhenaproperladderisunavailableatajobsiteandamakeshift

ladder is constructed.Accidentshappenwhenworkers throw something together

quicklyinordertoreacharoof,climbinoroutofafoundation,orgetfromonelevel

toanotherbeforestairsareinstalled.

A ladderconstructedon site,knownasaconstructedportable ladder,can solvetheproblem.The laddercanbebuiltas single ordoublewidth.Figure8.5 shows

someoftheconstructiondetailsofaconstructedladder.

Figure 8.5 Design details of a single-width constructed ladder

Section 135 Manufactured portable ladder

Section 135(a)

CSA Standard CAN3Z11M81 (R2005), Portable Ladders, specifies design and

performance requirements and tests for common types of portable ladders. CSAdefinesaportable ladderasone thatcanbe readilymovedorcarriedandusually

consistsofsiderailsjoinedatintervalsbysteps,rungs,cleatsorrearbraces.

TheStandardclassifiesportable ladders intooneofthreegradesbasedonhowthe

ladderisused.ThegradesareshowninTable8.2.

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Table 8.2 CSA grades of portable ladders

Grade Projected use Load rating

1 Construction and industrial Heavy

2 Tradesman and farm Medium

3 Household Light

A ladderapproved to theStandardbearsmarkings indicating thegrade,projected

use, loadratingoftheladder,andnumeroussafetyprecautions inbothwordsand

symbols.

If

certified

by

CSA,

the

ladder

bears

the

CSA

monogram.

Section

135

does

notrequiremanufacturedportableladderstobecertified.

ThefollowingtypesofportableladdersarecoveredbytheStandard:

Combination ladder a portable ladder capable of being used either as a

stepladderorasingleorextensionladder.Itmayalsobecapableofbeingusedas

a trestle ladder or a stairwell ladder. Its componentsmaybe used as single

ladders.

Extension ladder a nonselfsupporting portable ladder consisting of two or

moresectionstravelling in interlockingrails,guides,orbracketssoarrangedas

to permit length adjustment (see Figure 8.6). The maximum length of an

extension ladder is the sumof the lengthsof the side railofeach section.The

maximumlengthoftheextensionladderdependsonitsgradeasfollows:

Grade1 18metres(60feet)with2sections;22metres

(72feet)with3sections

Grade2 15metres(48feet)with2sections;18metres (60feet)with3

sections

Grade3 9.5metres(32feet)with2sections

Because ladder sectionsmustoverlapby at least 1.5metres (5 feet), the

overall maximum extended length of the longest extension ladder is 19

metres(63feet).Inclinedattherecommended75Oangle(4up1out),with

1metreoftheladderextendingabovetheupperlandingareaandassuming

theworkertobe2metrestall,theworkersmaximumheightaboveground

wouldbeapproximately15.5metres(51feet).

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Figure 8.6 Example of extension ladder

Extension trestle laddera selfsupportingportable ladder,adjustable in length,

consistingofa trestle ladderbaseandaverticallyadjustableextensionsection,

witha suitablemeans for locking the ladders together (seeFigure8.7).Trestle

ladders are used in pairs to support planks or staging. The rungs are not

intendedtobeusedassteps.Theextensionsectionandbasesectionofatrestle

laddercannotbemorethan6metres(20feet)long.

Figure 8.7 Extension trestle ladder

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Sectionalladderanonselfsupportingportableladder,nonadjustableinlength,

consisting of two ormore sections, so constructed that the sectionsmaybe

combinedtofunctionasasingleladder.

Single

ladder anonselfsupportingportable ladder,nonadjustable in length,

consistingofonesectiononly(seeFigure8.8).Singleladdersmaybeeitherstep

or rungtype.Themaximum lengthofa single ladderdependson itsgradeas

follows:

Grade1 9metres(30feet)

Grade2 7.5metres(24feet)


Figure 8.8 Example of a single ladder

Specialpurpose ladder a ladder that represents either a modification or a

combinationofdesignor construction featuresofageneralpurpose ladder, in

ordertoadapttospecialorspecificuses.

Stepladdera selfsupportingportable ladder,nonadjustable in length,havingflatstepsandhingedback(seeFigure8.9).Thebacksectionconsistsofeithera

single ladder or some other supporting device. The maximum length of a

stepladderdependsonitsgradeasfollows:


Grade2 3.6metres(12feet)

Grade3 2metres(6.5feet)

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Figure 8.9 Standard stepladder (left) and two-way stepladder (right)

Stepstoolaselfsupporting,fixedorfoldable,portableladdernonadjustablein

length, 800millimetres (32 inches) or less in overall sizewith flat steps and

withoutapailshelf.Theladdertopcapisdesignedtobeclimbedonaswellas

allsteps.Thesiderailsmaycontinueabovethetopcap.

beusedassteps.Atrestle laddercannotbemorethan6metres(20

feet)long.

ections 135(b) through 135(d)

es

the

maximum

lengths

fselectedladdersaspermittedbythestandards.

14.5. Section 135 does not require

anufacturedportableladderstobecertified.

Trestle ladder a selfsupporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length,

consistingoftwosections,hingedatthetoptoformequalangleswiththebase.

Trestleladdersareusedinpairstosupportplanksorstaging.Therungsarenot

intendedto

S

ANSI StandardA14.12007,American National Standardfor Ladders Wood Safety

Requirements, establishes minimum requirements for the construction, testing,

labelling,care,anduseofcommontypesofportablewoodladders.ANSIStandard

A14.22007, American National Standard for Ladders Portable Metal Safety

Requirements,does the same forportablemetal laddersandANSIStandardA14.5

2007,American National Standardfor Ladders Portable Reinforced Plastic Safety

Requirements, does the same for portable laddersmade of reinforced plastic. The

Standardsclassifyportable ladders intooneoffive typesbasedonhowa ladder is

used.

The

types

are

shown

in

Table

8.3.

Table

8.4

summarizo

Portable laddersmeeting therequirementsof thestandardsare labelledwith their

typeorduty ratinganda statement that they complywithANSIStandardA14.1,

ANSI Standard A14.2 or ANSI Standard A

m


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Table 8.3 Portable ladder types according to ANSI Standards

Ltype

Projected use[working load]

adder

Duty Rating

Type IAAn with heavy tools,

ent or loads.[170 kilograms (375 pounds)]

Special duty work involving heavyworkers in combinatioequipm

Special duty

Type IAuch as industry, utilities, contractors, etc. [136 kilograms (300 pounds)]

Frequent extra heavy-duty applicationss

Extra heavy-duty

Type I Industry, utilities, contractors, etc.[114 kilograms (250 pounds)]

Heavy duty

Type II otwith ladder jacks or scaffold

lanks.

[102 kilograms (225 pounds)]Offices, light maintenance, etc. Must nbe used

p

Medium duty

Type III dwith ladder jacks or scaffold planks. [91 kilograms (200 pounds)]Light household use. Must not be use

Light duty

able 8.4 Maximum ladder lengths permitted by ANSI ladder standards

Ladder Type Maximum length

Wood Metal Reinforced plastic

T

IA, I 6 metres 20 feet) 6 metres 20 feet) 6 metres 20 feet)((

(

II 3.6 metre 2 feet) 3.6 metre 2 feet) 3.6 metre 2 feet)s (1

s (1

s (1

Stepladder

III 1.8 metre (6 feet) 1.8 metre (6 feet) 1.8 metre (6 feet)ss

s

IA, I 9 metres 30 feet) 9 metres 30 feet) 9 metres 30 feet)(

(

(

II 6 metres 20 feet) 7.3 metre 4 feet) 7.3 metre 4 feet)(

s (2

s (2

Single

III 4.2 metres (14 feet) 4.9 metres (16 feet) 4.9 metres (16 feet)

IA, I 18 metres (60 feet) 21.8 metres (72 feet) 21.8 (72feet)metres

II 12 metre 0 feet) 18 metre 0 feet) 18 metre 0 feet)s (4

s (6

s (6

Extension

III 8.5 metres (28 feet) 9.7 metres (32 feet) 9.7 metres (32 feet)


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Ladders

Ladder safety precautions

The ladder isanextremelyuseful,simpledevice that isnotalwaysusedcorrectly.Climbing a ladder is usually easy, but descending can sometimes be quite

hazardous.Thetypesofinjuriessustainedfromfallingorslippingfromaladdercan

be quite horrendous. A fall from even a short distance can result in a person

sufferingsevereinjuriesleadingtodisabilityordeath.

Ingeneral,mostladderfallsinvolveportableladdersthatmove,tilt,orshiftwhilea

workerisclimbingordescending.Unstableorslipperybasesurfacesaretheprimary

reasons ladders fail.Other reasons include amisstep or a slip of the foot, lossof

balance,anoverreach,andtheladderbeingstruckbyavehicleorotherobject.

Toomany laddersarenotsuitableforthejoborareused incorrectly.Duringwork

siteinspections,themostcommonlyobservedproblemswithladdersare:

baseofladderplacedtoocloseortoofarawayfromthestructure

laddernotsecuredatthetop

laddernotextending1mabovetheupperlandingsurface

missingorbrokenrungs

missingorbrokenstaysonstepladders

workingfromastepladderonthetoptread

ladderpositionedincorrectlyonaslope

inadequateladderrepairs

Workersandemployerscanreduceladderfallsbydoingthefollowing:

(a) frequentlyinspectandmaintainladders;

(b)use the right ladder for thejob.Ladders come inavarietyof typesandmany

specialpurpose ladders are available. Examples include trolley, siderolling,

shaft, andmanhole ladders.Aworker and employer are likely to save time,

energy,andreducetheriskofinjurybyusingtherightladderforthejob;

(c) setupladderscorrectly;and

(d)climbanddescendladdersproperly

Employersare responsible for trainingworkers so that theyunderstand these safeworkpractices.Employersarealsoresponsible formakingsure that thesafework

practicesarefollowed.

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Maintenance

All ladders shouldbe checked regularly tomake sure they are fit foruse and to

identifyanydefects.Anyrepairsshouldbedoneimmediatelyortheladderremoved

fromserviceuntiltherepairsaremade.Iftheladdercannotberepaired,itshouldbediscardedandreplaced.

Is a ladder the best choice?

Beforeusinganyladder,thefollowingquestionsshouldbeasked:

(1) Isusinga ladder the safestandbest

waytodothejob?Yes No

(2) Is the ladder in good condition and

suitable for the type and height of

work?

Yes No

(3)Can the ladder be positioned close

enough to theworkarea so that the

workerusingitwontoverreach?

Yes No

(4)Cantheladderbesecuredatboththe

topandbottom?Yes No

(5) Is the surface supporting the ladder

atitsbasefirmandlevel?Yes No

If theanswer toanyof thesequestions isNo,consideranothermethodofgaining

accesstotheworkarea.

Section 136 Securing and positioning

Section 136(a)

Aportable laddercanbesecuredagainstmovement inmanyways.Because itcan

moveatbothitsupperandlowerends,ideallyitshouldbesecuredatbothends(see

Figures8.10and8.11).Slipresistantorrubbersafetyfeetatthebottomofametalorreinforcedplastic ladderareconsidered tooffer securement if they restona firm,

nonslipperysurface.NeitherCSAorANSIrequiresthefeetofwoodenladderstobe

equippedwithslipresistantmaterial.Ifthefeetofawoodenladderrestsecurelyon

afirm,nonslipperysurface,thentheintentoftherequirementismet.

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Ifthesurfacethatthe ladderrestsonisslipperyorit ispossibleforthebaseofthe

laddertomove,thentheladdermustbesecured.Examplesofacceptablesecurement

methodsinclude

(a) spikesdriventhroughthefeetintothesurfaceuponwhichtheladderbaserests;

(b) cleatsnailedintothesurfacetopreventmovement;

(c) tyingthefeetoftheladdertostakesinthegroundtostopitfromslipping(place

alargeflatwoodenboardunderneathtohelppreventitsinking);

(d)butting thebaseof the ladderagainsta fixed structure suchasa curborwall,

heavyblocks,orsandbags;

(e) havingapersonstandatthebase,onefootonthelowestrung,holdingasiderail

ineachhand.

Figure 8.10 Examples of securing the base of a ladder (rubber safety feet, cleats nailed to thefloor, tying off to stakes in the ground)

At the top of the ladder,both rails shouldbe supported unless the ladder has a

singlesupportattachment.Laddertiestothesupportatthetopareoftenused.An

alternativemightbetotieropesorstrapsfromthesiderails(nottherungs)toafixed

object.

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Figure 8.11 Examples of securing a portable ladder at the top

Section 136(b)

Laddersmustbe setup so that thebase isout 1metre for each4metresup (see

Figure 8.12). 4 up 1 out gives the right slope approximately 75O from the

horizontal.Thispositionofferstheladder,andtheworkerstandingonit,thegreatest

stability.

Figure 8.12 Proper placement of ladder

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Section 136(c)

The side railsofaportable laddermustextendat least1metre (3 feet)aboveany

platform, landingorparapetwhere the ladder isusedasameansofaccess to the

platform, landingorparapet(seeFigure8.13).Doingsoprovidestheworkerusingtheladderwithhandholdsforgettingonandofftheladder.

Figure 8.13 Top of ladder extending above access level

Section 137 Fall protection

Under normal circumstances, workers are required to use some type of fall

protection system e.g.guardrails, nets,personal fall arrest system, etc.,whenever

theycanfalladistanceof3mormore.Thissectionpermitsaworkertomoveupor

downaportableladderwithouthavingtouseapersonalfallarrestsystem.

Thissectionalsopermitsaworkertoworkfroma ladderwithoutusingapersonal

fallarrest system in circumstanceswhere it isnot reasonablypracticable todo so.

Themost common example of such a situation is when an anchor of sufficient

strength is unavailable or too impracticable to use. This easement of the fall

protectionrequirementsissubjecttoseveralconditions:

(1) theworkmustbealightdutytask,suchas inspectionorpainting.Thework

doneateachspotwheretheladderissetupmustbelessthanapproximately15

minutesinlength;

(2)whiledoingthetask,theworkermustkeephisorhercentreofgravity(indicated

bythebellybutton)betweenthesiderailsoftheladder;and

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(3) theworkermustmaintainthreepointsofcontactwhenevertheworkerextends

anarmbeyondasiderail.

Ifanyoneofthesethreeconditionscannotbemet,someformoffallarrestprotection

isrequired.

Themaximum length of a threesection extension ladder is 22metres (72 feet).

Because ladder sectionsmust overlapby at least 1.5metres (5 feet), the overall

maximum extended length of the longest extension ladder is 19metres (63 feet).

Inclined at the recommended 75O angle (4up 1 out),with 1m of the ladder

extendingabovetheupperlandingareaandassumingtheworkertobe2metrestall,

theworkersmaximumheightabovegroundwouldbeapproximately15.5metres

(51feet).

Being15.5metresabove theground isa considerableheight.Anextension ladder

extended to its fulllengthbows and tends tobe less stable thanwhen it is onlypartiallyextended.Ittendstovibrateandshakeinstrongwindsandwhileaperson

ascendsordescendsit.Wheneveranextensionladdermustbeextendedtonearits

full limits,questionsshouldbeaskedas towhethera ladder is thebestchoice for

doing thework.Alternate approaches, such as the use of amanlift,boatswains

chair,orscaffoldingmaybesaferandmoreefficientwaysofdoingthework.

Ladders WHS-LEG Ohsc p08

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