Table 4: Ladder Duty Ratings
Type
Description and Capacity
Type IAA
Extra heavy duty – 375 pounds
Type IA
Extra heavy duty – 300 pounds
Type I
Heavy duty – 250 pounds
Type II
Medium duty – 225 pounds homeowner ladder
Type III
Light duty – 200 pounds homeowner ladder
around electricity is to have the power turned off or diverted by the power company. Important: do not try to pull away an individual that is being electrocuted with your bare hands. Use a dry piece of wood, dry rope or dry piece of rubber. Never use anything wet. Always call 911.
Ladder Inspections
Common items that have defects include: 1.
On a step ladder, all four feet don’t touch the ground evenly. If this happens, it is unsafe to use the ladder. Mark “Out of Service” and cut up
2. Safety shoes or feet on the bottom of the ladder are worn; replace worn items or remove the ladder from service 3. Side rails mushroom out; mark “Out of Service” 4. Ladder rungs cracked or split. Bend and break the ladder, take out of service and throw it away 5. Rung locks with safety latches, all safety latches must work and be free of defects and must safely lock onto rungs.
Daily Ladder Safety Checklist
Use your inspection safety check list daily (see below). Ladders can be damaged at any time. Check and clean ladder to prevent slip hazards. To prevent falls from ladders: 1.
Climbing Ladders: Using the Rungs or the Side Rails?
Although OSHA doesn’t specify between the two in it’s regulation, the National Safety Council states users should face the ladder and always grip the rungs and not the rails. The American Ladder Institute states that the climber can use the three points of contact rule via the ladder steps, rungs and/or siderails. When I first got into the roofing industry over 40 years ago, we always climbed ladders by cupping the side rails with our hands. I always wondered what would happen if I would misjudge a rail or slip while I was climbing: would I be able to stop? About 30 years ago, I started using the rungs after I realized that, if I slip, my grip would not be strong enough to hold me from falling. FRM I would really like feedback on any experiences that you have had climbing ladders using hand and rung or hand and side rails. I can be reached at jim@braunersafety.com.
Statistics on Ladder Fall Deaths and Injuries Falls remain a leading cause of unintentional injury mortality nationwide and 43 percent of fatal falls in the last decade have involved a ladder. Among workers, approximately 20 percent of fall injuries involve ladders. Among construction workers, an estimated 81 percent of fall injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments involve a ladder. Rates for nonfatal and work-related, were higher (2.6 per 10,000 FTE) than those for such injuries reported by employers (1.2 per 10,000 FTE). Ladder falls represent a substantial public health burden of preventable injuries for workers because falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries and deaths in construction.
Require employees to complete a daily ladder inspection
2. Use only ladders that are in good condition and free of defects 3. Use a ladder that is free of oils, grease, coatings, adhesives, paints, asphalt, coal tar pitch or mud. Any of these will make the ladder rungs or side rails slippery and create a slip hazard 4. Ensure all team members are properly trained on how to climb and carry ladders 5. Make proper ladder use a performance requirement for the job 6. Document all ladder inspections and safety trainings www.floridaroof.com | FLORIDA ROOFING
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