506 - Ladder Safety
- All ladders shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations.
- Gloves must be donned before ascending or descending ladders.
- You are required to use a ladder-climbing device on permanent ladders so equipped.
- When working from a fixed or portable extension ladder, maintain three-point contact. Follow requirements for fall protection if limitations noted in item 4 of this section cannot be followed.
- When working from a fixed, step, or portable extension ladder, fall protection is not required at any height for work activities not requiring significant physical force if they can be performed in a stationary position and without overextension. Use the “belt buckle rule” and keep the center of the body between the ladder side rails. Examples of work not requiring significant strength include reading gauges, turning hand wheels, hanging tags, and replacing light bulbs.
- Strenuous work is not permitted from a fixed ladder or portable extension ladder at any height. Examples include using power grinders/drills, manipulating stiff valves, and repositioning heavy boxes.
- Strenuous work is permitted from a step ladder without fall protection if the employee fall potential is less than four feet.
- Strenuous work is permitted from a step ladder where the employee fall potential is more than four feet if the following requirements are met: Building scaffold is not practical or feasible; suitable tie-off point is available for fall protection; employee wears fall protection harness and ties off; and supervisor approves the work practice. Employees shall write a CR when a tie-off point is not available, or it is not reasonably accessible.
- When climbing or descending ladders, always maintain three points-of-contact.
- Both hands shall be gloved and free of tools, paperwork, and other materials while climbing ladders. Tools shall be raised or lowered by a rope or handed to one another. Tool bags shall be raised or lowered in the same manner.
- Portable extension ladders shall be placed against a stable support and shall be held by another employee unless they are secured. Secure portable straight/extension ladders as close to the top support as possible using at least one wrap of ≥ 3/8 in. rope, ≥ 1 in. flat nylon webbing, or ≥ #9 tie wire or equivalent around a ladder rung close to each side rail. The tie-off can be either a single tie-off that includes both rails or a separate tie-off for each rail.
- All ladders shall be inspected prior to each use and shall be removed from service when structural damage or other hazardous defects are found. Ladders shall not be painted, taped, or otherwise covered in any way that would cover defects.
- Only one employee shall work from a single ladder at the same time unless the ladder is an approved two-person ladder.
- When a ladder is to be placed where the opening of a door may displace it, the door shall be locked or otherwise guarded.
- When ascending, descending, or working from a ladder, always face the ladder.
- Be sure that shoes are free of mud and grease or other substances that could cause a slip or fall.
- Ladder rungs shall be kept free of oil and grease.
- Items such as boxes, crates, and chairs shall not be used as a substitute for a ladder.
- Portable all-metal ladders shall not be used except with special approval of the site safety coordinator.
- Ladders shall be selected and placed so that the side rails extend at least 36 in. above the upper landing such as a platform, roof, or other similar point of dismount, unless grab rails extend 36 in. above the upper landing.
- Ladders shall not be used as a horizontal scaffold member, guy, skid, or for any purpose in which it might be damaged. Hook ladders designed for that purpose may be used in a horizontal position.
- Portable ladders shall not be placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
- Portable extension ladders shall be placed, whenever possible, so that the distance from the foot of the ladder to the base of the wall or other support is approximately ¼ the working length of the ladder.
- Portable extension ladder overlap requirements are 3 feet for up to 36 extended feet of ladder, 4 feet. for 36 to 48 extended feet of ladder, and 5 feet. for ladders extended over 48 feet.
- Sections of portable extension ladders shall not be separated and used as straight ladders without safety feet.
- The top and last step of a stepladder shall not be used as a work platform unless specifically designed to do so (short stepladders).
- Stepladder legs shall be fully spread and locked open when the ladder is in use.
- The bracing for the back legs of a stepladder shall not be climbed or stood upon.
- Stepladders shall not be used as a straight ladder.
- Stepladders shall not be used to access an elevated work platform/surface due to the potential for the step ladder to tip when side loaded.
- While working from a platform accessed from a fixed ladder, ensure a swing gate has been installed or the use of fall protection/prevention equipment is used within eight feet of the ladder opening. In instances where a swing gate cannot be installed, a permanent sign shall be used to denote the need for fall protection or fall prevention equipment.