Ladder Safety
Purpose
This section is intended to provide direction and best practices to prevent ladder hazards and is aligned with WAC 296-876 Ladders, Portable and Fixed.
Applicability
This section is applicable to all employees.
Using the right ladder for the job is critical to safety. Only District owned ladders shall be used.
Ladder manufacturers label all products to indicate the maximum supportable load, which includes the person on the ladder and any tools and materials that are carried or placed on the material rest.
Types of ladders:
- Fixed ladders are permanently attached to part of a building, structure, or other equipment.
- Individual Rung ladder typically has no side rails and involves individual rungs attached permanently to a structure, building, or other equipment.
- Side Rail & Rung ladder is a straight ladder permanently attached to a structure, building, or other equipment.
- Job-Made ladders are typically used at constructions sites and are considered non-commercially manufactured. Job-Made ladders are constructed to regulatory specifications.
- Portable ladders can be moved or carried.
- Self-supporting stepladder stands without support and are manufactured in fixed lengths of 3-20 feet. These types of ladders have either a spreader bar or locking device and a foldable material rest.
- Non-self-supporting ladders (i.e., straight ladders, extension ladders) cannot stand without support. These ladders must lean against a surface, such as a wall, or be tied securely to an overhead object for stability.
- Straight ladders are not adjustable and have only one section. Lengths of straight ladders range from 8-30 feet.
- Extension ladders are usually two-section ladders, with one section fitting within the side rails of the other. This ladder can raise and lower.
- Multi-purpose Leansafe ladder adjusts from step to a straight ladder.
- OSHA compliant multi-purpose Leansafe ladders are allowed upon approval.
- A leansafe ladder is designed to securely lean against flat wall surfaces, wall corners, poles, and wall studs and perform as a standard stepladder.
Note: Portable metal ladders and other portable conductive ladders should not be used in the vicinity of exposed energized lines and equipment. (Exception: Such ladders may be used in specialized work, such as high voltage substations, where nonconductive ladders might present a greater hazard. These ladders should be marked.) WAC 296-45-275 Ladders, platforms, and manhole steps , WAC 296-876-40035 Exposed electrical hazard
Responsibilities
Prior to using any ladder, it must be inspected, and should any defects be identified, the ladder must be removed from service and tagged as “Do not Use”. Defects include, but are not limited to, weakened, broken, or missing steps, and/or broken side rails, missing or illegible manufacturer label.
WAC 296-876-30005 Condition and Inspection
Manager Responsibilities:
- Ensure employees complete annual Ladder Safety Training and that they can recognize ladder hazards and the procedures to minimize these hazards. WAC 296-876-15005 Training
- Require ladder inspections prior to use.
- Ensure proper PPE is available and being used properly, including ladder safety devices.
Foreman / Lead Worker Responsibilities:
- Conduct a job briefing with involved employees before start of each job, which identifies all job hazards.
- Identify the right ladder for the job.
- Either conduct or ensure a ladder inspection has been conducted prior to ladder use.
- Ensure proper PPE is being used, including fall protection and ladder safety devices.
Employee Responsibilities:
- Complete annual Ladder Safety Training.
- Use appropriate PPE, including fall protection and ladder safety devices.
- Inspect ladder prior to use (see above).
- Use right ladder for the job.
If you see something, say something. We all have Stop Work Authority.
Resources & Training
The required ladder safety training can be found in Learning Central. Other Trainings and Resources can be found throughout this manual, Learning Central, T & D resource site, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).