Ladder Training 2

The provided sources describe a **Ladder Safety Program** from the Thorold Secondary Cooperative Education Department, designed to prevent fall-related injuries when employees work on portable ladders at heights. Here is a description of the program and key ladder safety concepts: * **Purpose of the Program** * The **primary purpose** of the ladder safety program is to provide employees with appropriate protection from injury when working on portable ladders at heights, thereby **preventing fall-related injury**. * Affected employees are provided with portable ladders and are expected to maintain the equipment properly and immediately report any damage or excessive wear to their supervisor. * The type of ladder used depends on the specific job circumstances and site conditions, which directly impact available setup area. * **Core Aspects of Ladder Safety** * Ladder safety begins with the **selection of the proper ladder for the job**. * It also includes **inspection, setup, proper climbing and standing, proper use, care, and storage**. * In addition to general safety rules, there are special rules for stepladders and for single and extension ladders. * **Ladder Classification and Duty Ratings** * Portable ladders are classified as either **self-supporting** (e.g., folding ladders/stepladders) or **non-self-supporting** (e.g., extension ladders). * It is crucial to use a ladder with the proper **duty rating** to carry the combined weight of the user and the material being installed. * A ladder's duty rating indicates its **maximum weight capacity**. There are four categories of duty ratings: * **Type IA**: 300 pounds, recommended for **extra-heavy-duty industrial use**. * **Type I**: 250 pounds, manufactured for **heavy-duty use**. * **Type II**: 225 pounds, approved for **medium-duty use**. * **Type III**: 200 pounds, rated for **light-duty use**. * **General Safety Practices for All Ladders** * **Ladder Inspection**: Always inspect the ladder before use to reduce the risk of failure. This includes checking for cracks, splits, tight steps/rungs, secure hardware, and proper operation of movable parts on all ladder types. Metal and fiberglass ladders should be inspected for bends and breaks. **Never use a damaged ladder**; it must be taken out of service and reported immediately to a supervisor. * **Ladder Setup**: * Determine the necessary height and activities before selecting a ladder. * Place ladder feet firmly and evenly on the ground, ensuring the ladder is straight and secure. * If one foot is in a low spot, build up the surface with firm material, and **never allow ladders to lean sideways**. * **Do not use unstable bases** like boxes, barrels, or loose bricks to make a ladder reach farther. * On bare ground, brace the ladder foot with stakes if cleats aren't adequate or if slipping is a danger. On solid surfaces, ensure direct contact and that the base is not affected by water, oils, or other friction-reducing materials. * **Avoid setting up or removing a ladder in high wind**, especially lightweight metal or fiberglass types. * **Never set up a ladder in front of a door** or traffic way unless secured. * For **non-self-supporting ladders** (e.g., extension ladders), the **proper angle is about 75 degrees above horizontal**, meaning the base should be set out one-fourth of the ladder's height to its top support point. Setting ladders steeper than 75 degrees increases the risk of tipping backward, requiring tying off at the top. Setting them at an angle less than 75 degrees increases the risk of sliding out from the bottom, requiring safety ladder shoes or base tying. The distance from the foot of the ladder to the wall should **never exceed one-half the height to the support point** (about 63 degrees), to avoid excessive strain on the side rails. * When setting up a straight or extension ladder, lay it on the ground with the base against the wall, lift the top over your head, walk under it to the wall, and then pull out the base to the one-fourth height distance. Reverse this process for taking it down, checking for obstacles and lowering slowly. * **Ladder Climbing and Standing**: * Keep steps and rungs free of slippery materials, and clean your shoes before climbing. * **Always face the ladder** when climbing up or down. * Maintain **three-point contact** with a secure grip on the rails or rungs. * **Never carry heavy or bulky loads** up a ladder; climb first, then pull material up with a rope. * Climb and stand with feet in the center of steps/rungs. * **Do not overreach or lean too far to one side**; overreaching is a common cause of falls. Keep your belt buckle inside the ladder rails. Move the ladder to a new position if you cannot comfortably reach. * **Never climb onto a ladder from the side** or from one ladder to another. * **Never slide down a ladder**. * **Never stand on the two top rungs** of a straight or extension ladder. * **Proper Use of Ladders**: * **Do not stand on the top rungs** of any ladder. * **Never use metal ladders near exposed electrical wiring**. * Do not try to move a ladder while on it by rocking, jogging, or pushing. * **Do not leave tools or materials on top of ladders**; keep them in tool belts or pouches secured on the ladder. * Be cautious when pushing or pulling anything while on a ladder; ensure proper positioning to avoid moving the ladder or yourself. * **Only one person at a time** on a ladder, unless it's designed for two. * **Never use a ladder as a horizontal platform**, plank, scaffold, or material hoist. * **Do not use homemade ladders**. * **Never use a ladder on a scaffold platform**; raise the scaffold instead. * **Proper Ladder Care and Storage**: * Maintain ladders in good condition and keep accessories like safety shoes in good condition. * **Never paint a wood ladder**. * Store wood ladders away from excessive heat or dampness. * Store fiberglass ladders away from sunlight or other ultraviolet light sources. * Ensure ladders are properly supported and secured during transit. * Store ladders on racks or upright for proper support. * Metal rung locks and pulleys on extension ladders should be inspected and lubricated periodically. * Ropes on extension ladders must be in good condition and replaced if frayed or worn. * **Additional Rules for Specific Ladder Types** * **Stepladders**: * Always open completely and ensure the spreader is locked open before use. * **Never substitute makeshift devices** for spreaders. * **Do not stand higher than the second step from the top**. Specifically, do not stand or sit on the top cap, pail shelf, or back of a stepladder. * Do not straddle the front and back of a stepladder. * **Single Ladders and Extension Ladders**: * Extension ladder sections must overlap sufficiently to retain strength, with required overlaps varying by ladder length (e.g., 3 feet for ladders up to 36 feet). The usable length is shortened by the overlap. * **Never splice or tie two short ladders together** to make a long one. * Top support is as important as good footing; the top should rest evenly against a flat, firm surface. Test the strength of roof gutters if leaning a ladder against them. * When used for access to an upper landing, a ladder must **extend three rungs, or at least three feet, above the landing surface**. * An access ladder should be **secured against sideways movement at the top** or held by another worker. * Extend an extension ladder only from the ground, determine needed height, extend and lock the fly section, then set it up and check stability before climbing. * If possible, the base of a long ladder should be secured to the ground, and the top tied to the upper landing surface. * **Disciplinary Actions** * Failure to properly use and/or maintain company-provided ladders **is grounds for disciplinary actions, up to and including termination**. Employees acknowledge receiving training and understanding these requirements.