The Next Rung: Ladder Safety

Falls from all sources, including ladders, are the second largest cause of accidental death in Canada. Ladders are involved in about 2% of all occupational accidents in industrialized countries. That means about one in every 2000 workers each year will have a serious injury, one that could be prevented with training and proper equipment.

Most falls are traceable to three main problems: the wrong ladder was used; the ladder failed because it was in bad shape or the condition of the surface failed to support the ladder; or the ladder was misused.

In Canada, new ladders are approved by the Canadian Standards Association and rated for how much load they can carry, i.e. heavy, medium, or light, and for usage - industrial, trade or household. Most ladders in current use are made of wood, aluminum or fiberglass. If you work around electricity, do not use an aluminum ladder, as it will conduct electricity.

A ladder must be selected carefully, used properly, cleaned, and maintained in good condition. Ladders don't last forever and should be looked over thoroughly before each use for signs of wear: weakened or twisted frames, loose rungs or hardware, worn out anti-slip plastic or rubber 'shoes'. This inspection is required regardless of the type of ladder you are working with whether it is straight, extension, step, platform, articulated or fixed.

Choosing the right ladder is the first step to safety

Straight and extension ladders are to be used against a wall, and normally for outdoor work. These ladders need to be placed very carefully; wrong setup is the single largest source of accidents. If the ladder slips at the base, you will fall. Place the ladder on clear level ground free of ice, snow, water and sand. The angle is extremely important with 75-80 degrees, the rule. To achieve this slant, the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the surface it leans against should be a quarter of the ladder's extended height. Don't climb above the fourth rung from the top of an extension ladder. If the ladder is used to access a flat roof for instance, it should rise about 1 metre or 3 feet above that surface.

Stepladders are common in workplaces and handy around the house, while larger metal platform ladders are used in warehouses and industrial locations where good stability and a large flat work surface are needed. The spreader arms must be locked in the open position with all four legs evenly grounded. Stay off the top two rungs of a stepladder and use your knees for balance by resting them against the ladder. Never stand on top of the ladder or on the paint shelf. If you need a straight ladder, don't try and make a closed stepladder do the job.

Fixed ladders adhere to the sides of buildings, tanks, and towers and must be equipped with a safety cage if there is a drop of more than ten feet or 3 metres.

Get a grip

There are several rules for safely working on a properly set-up ladder. Always have three-point contact with the ladder. This means having two (well-shod) feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot in contact with the ladder at all times. When climbing up and down, face the ladder and hold on to the rungs, not the side rails. If you do slip you will have a better grasp.

Accidents tend to happen when carrying materials up the ladder. Use a hoist rope or work belt to get tools and equipment up to you. And stay centred; another big cause of falls is loss of balance from reaching out. Keep your weight in the middle of the frame. Be mindful that your belt buckle should not go beyond the side rails. If you do get dizzy, rest your head on a rung then climb down slowly. Speed is definitely not of the essence when using any ladder.



© Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety