Portable LADDERS

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Portable LADDERS

• Corporate Health Safety 2011

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Summary

• Introduction REX
• Figures
• Main causes of accidents
• Ladders types and components
• Portable ladders safety rules
• Work the right way / the wrong way
• Find the errors !
• Questions

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Introduction
Person slipped whilst descending ladder at the
point of extension transition Employee did not
hold on to ladder "rungs"
February 2010 Loss Time Injury tibia fractured
and ankle badly sprained The worker falls from
the ladder 6 feet high
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Introduction
The victim climbed on a single side ladder (3
meter in length), set up on an elevated platform
Two of his colleagues held/supported the single
side ladder while he was trying to open the
scrubber window. At that time wrench/spanner
slipped out of his hand and due to inertia he
fell over the hand railing all the way to the
floor
October 2010 1 fatality The worker falls from the
ladder 8 m high
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Introduction
While getting down a ladder holding a fire
extinguisher in his hand, the victim slipped on
the ladders step and fell on the floor
June 2010 Loss Time Injury The worker falls from
the ladder 2 m high
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Introduction
The victim was performing an exchange of a
lamp He slipped off the ladder
February 2010 Loss Time Injury Fractured
ankle The worker falls from the ladder 1.8 m high
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Introduction
When he started to descend the ladder he couldnt
hold on to the handrail all the way. In his left
hand he was holding the grease pump by means of
the tube and he was wearing gloves soaked with
grease. He suddenly slipped and fell.
November 2009 Wrist fractured The worker falls
from the ladder 1.8 m high
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Introduction
The injured climbed up a six step ladder that was
standing against the tundish to inspect the
refractory insulation On his way down he lost his
concentration and balance and fell from the
second rung of the ladder
January 2009 Loss Time Injury Radius
fractured The worker falls from 50 cm
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Introduction
The victim had to replace a fused bulb. He took
an extension of a stepladder and put it against
heating pipes, which were inclined and he started
mounting the ladder. When he felt the ladder was
moving, he jumped off and fell on the floor.
November 2008 Fatality
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Introduction
Whilst going up the ladder, which was put up
shaky, the ladder moved and as a result the
victim lost his balance and fell down onto the
concrete floor.
September 2007 Fatality The victim falls from 4
m height
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Figures

• Falls from heights are a safety problem in
  industry and at home.
• According to statistics released in 2009 by the
  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls from
  ladders in all industries accounted
• for over 16 of fatalities
• more than 100,000 non-fatal incidents overall
• Other research reveals that
• over 15 of fatal accidents occurred from
  relatively low heights of 10 feet or less
• 53 percent occurred from 11 to 30 feet heights
• According to the American Academy of Orthopedic
  Surgeons
• more than 500,000 people a year are treated for
  ladder-related injuries in the U.S.
• out of these 500,000 injuries approximately 300
  people in the U.S. die from ladder related
  injuries annually

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Main causes of accidents
Use of a defective ladder
This home made ladder was used in one of our
sites Thats forbidden!
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Main causes of accidents
Use of a defective ladder
Those pictures have been taken in some of our
sites during safety audits Ladders with damaged
feet must be withdrawn from service and repaired
or destroyed
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Main causes of accidents
Use of a defective ladder
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Main causes of accidents
Use of a defective or inappropriate ladder
Too short! Inappropriate length
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Main causes of accidents
Unsafe positions of the worker on the ladder
NO!
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Main causes of accidents
Ladder set up with improper angle
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Main causes of accidents
Ladder is not held, tied off or secured
People dont wear or use properly their safety
harness
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Main causes of accidents
Ladder is not held, tied off or secured
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Main causes of accidents
Loss of balance when working on a ladder or
holding tools
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Main causes of accidents
Electrocution
3m / 10 feet at least
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Ladders users must be trained

• Employers must provide a training program to
  reach employees using ladders.
• The training must enable each employee to
  recognize hazards related to ladders.
• This training must be conducted by a competent
  person.
• Most ladder accidents are the result of careless
  or improper ladder usage
• Make sure all the ladders are compliant and in a
  good shape and train the users should help to
  decrease or better avoid incidents

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Ladders types components
Single ladder
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Portable Ladders types components
Platform step ladder
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Portable Ladders types components
Extension Ladder
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Portable Ladders safety rules

• ArcelorMittal Companies will, as a minimum,
  follow the prevailing local legislations for
  elevated work where there is a risk of falling.
  Where the following internal rules are more
  demanding, then they will apply
• Before using a ladder, always determine if there
  is no more adapter and safer way to reach another
  level
• If you cannot work safely from a ladder, you must
  find an alternative way to do the work
• Do not use homemade ladders
• Never use a ladder when under the influence of
  alcohol, on drugs or medication

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1. Ladder SelectionOnly use the proper ladder
for the job you have to perform

• Maximum weight capacity
• Never load a portable ladder beyond 150 kg/330
  lbs (users weight and the material used).
• Sufficient length
• Use the proper size ladder for the job. The side
  rails must extend at least 3 rungs or 3 feet / 1
  m above the upper landing surface.
• Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to
  create longer sections unless they are specially
  designed for such use.
• Never splice or tie two short ladders together to
  make a long section. In that case you should use
  an extension ladder.

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1. Ladder SelectionAlways consider the
electrical hazard

• Never use metal ladders nor metal tools around
  exposed electrical wiring
• Even wet or dirty wood of fiberglass ladders can
  conduct electricity so keep all ladders and tools
  at least 10 feet / 3 m away from live overhead
  power lines and other overhead obstructions

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2. Ladder InspectionAlways check a ladder
before using it

• Never use a damaged ladder
• ladders with structural defects (such as broken
  or missing rungs, cleats or steps broken or split
  rails, corroded components)
• all hardware and fitting must be properly and
  securely attached
• movable parts must be tested to make sure they
  operate without binding or without too much free
  play
• slip resistant feet must be checked for wear
• metal and fiberglass ladders must be bend nor
  show any sign of breaks
• wooden ladders must not have splits nor cracks in
  the wood.
• Defective ladders must immediately be marked
  defective or tagged with
• DANGER - do not use
• or similar language and withdrawn from service

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3. Ladder setting upStability

• Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces and
  secured at the foot to prevent accidental
  movement
• Do not allow ladders to lean sideways
• Do not try to make a ladder reach farther by
  setting it on boxes, barrels, bricks, blocks or
  other unstable bases
• Never use a ladder on a scaffold platform. If you
  need to reach higher, the scaffold should be
  higher
• The sections of an extension ladder must overlap
  enough to retain the strength of the ladder
• Dont use portable ladders as part of a platform
  construction.
• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless
  secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to
  prevent accidental movement.

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3. Ladder setting upStability

• The top of a non-supporting ladder must be placed
  with the two rails supported equally unless it is
  equipped with a single support attachment
• Never rest a ladder on any of its rungs
• A ladder should be secured against sideways
  movement at the top or held by another worker
  whenever it is being used

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3. Ladder setting upSpecific rules for
stepladders

• A step ladder must be completely open
• Step ladders without support bar can only be
  acceded till the 3rd highest step (the 2 upper
  steps enable to lean on)
• Ensure that only 1 person is on the stepladder at
  any given time
• Never use a stepladder as a non-supporting ladder
  leaning against a wall

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3. Ladder setting upSecuring the Environment

• Secure ladders placed in areas such as
  passageways, doorways or driveways, or where they
  can be displaced by workplace activities or
  traffic to prevent accidental movement
• Erect warning, signs or barricades to keep
  traffic or activity away from the ladder
• If it is not possible, have someone hold and
  guard the bottom of the ladder
• Keep the area around the top and the bottom of
  the ladder clear of debris, tools and other
  objects

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3. Ladder setting upSetting Up Angle

• The technically proper angle for a
  non-self-supporting ladder is about 75 degrees
  above horizontal.
• This means that the base should be set out
  one-fourth of the ladder's height to its top
  support point.
• E.g. if a ladder is to be supported at a point
  20 feet off the ground, its base should be set 5
  feet out from the wall.
• (20 feet divided by 4 5 feet)

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3. Ladder setting upSetting Up Angle

• 2 other easy ways to check the angle of the set
  up ladder
• Someone stand in front of the ladder shoes
  touching the rails. If the angle is correct its
  possible to hold the rang at the height of the
  shoulders stretching out the arms
• The elbow test is also a simple way to check the
  angle of a ladder

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4. Ladder using

• A mean of access
• A ladder is not a work station and should only be
  used to reach another level. It cant be used to
  bridge a height difference of gt 5 meters.
• The worker must always keep 3 points contact with
  the ladder when going up or down.
• Performing a work on a portable ladder is only
  authorized under very precise conditions

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4. Ladder using

• Working on a portable ladder
• Working on a ladder is allowed only under the
  following cumulative conditions
• The risk assessment performed shows only minor
  risks. The work environment that brings hard
  conditions should be taken into account (e.g.
  high temperature) as well as the fact the worker
  should hold heavy and/or bulky tools or objects .
• Its a minor extend task (service and inspection,
  measuring and calibration, changing of lights,
  attaching / detaching slings, setting anchor
  screws)
• Its a short-term work. The frequency this work
  have to be performed must also be taken into
  account.
• The use of alternative equipments as a man lift
  or a scaffold is not appropriated (e.g. Due to
  narrowed conditions).

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4. Ladder using

• A risk assessment must always be performed prior
  the work to check whether other alternative tools
  (e.g. scaffolds, mobile platforms) than a ladder
  are available and more appropriate to carry out
  the task safely, or to determine countermeasures
  on risk elimination when using a portable ladder
• When working at 1,8 meters (6 feet) or above out
  of a working platform protected against falling,
  you must wear fall protection equipment and have
  a suitable tie off point except for tasks
  performed on a ladder in the conditions described
  above.
• Where law is more demanding than it will apply.

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4. Ladder using

• Wherever possible use rolling platform ladders or
  telescopic scaffold towers as alternative to
  ladders (with side protection and stabilizers)

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4. Ladder using

• Always check for stability and support before
  climbing.
• Keep the steps and rungs of ladders free of
  grease, oil, wet paint, mud, snow, ice, paper and
  other slippery materials. Also clean such debris
  off your shoes before climbing a ladder.
• Always face a ladder when climbing up or down and
  maintain 3 points contact.
• Use one step at the time.
• Grasp the rungs of the ladder, not the side
  rails. The rungs are easier to hold onto in case
  your foot slips.
• Do not use a ladder by 2 or more persons at the
  same time.

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4. Ladder using

• Never carry heavy or bulky loads up a ladder that
  could cause loss or balance and falling.
• Do not lean too far to one side. Overreaching is
  probably the most common cause of falls from
  ladders. A good rule is to always keep your belt
  buckle inside the rails of a ladder.
• Do not try to move a ladder while you are on it
  by rocking, jogging or pushing it away from a
  supporting wall. Do not move a ladder while a
  person is still on it.
• Extend an extension ladder only from the ground
  when there is nobody on it.

NO!
YES!
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Find the errors!
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Find the errors!
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Find the errors!
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Find the errors!
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Questions

• At what conditions is it possible to work on a
  ladder (4 conditions)?
• There is no safer and more adapted way to perform
  the work
• It is a short time work
• It is a minor extend work
• The worker on the ladder has at least one free
  hand to grasp the ladder when going up and down
• The risk assessment concludes the level of risks
  is low
• The ladder is made off wood
• What is the proper angle for setting up a
  non-self-supporting ladder?
• 40
• 45
• 75

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Questions

• How long must side rails extend at least above
  the upper landing surface?
• 3 feet / 1 m / 3 rungs
• 6 feet / 1,8 m / 5 rungs
• 7 feet / 2 m / 6 rungs
• Is it allowed to use home made portable ladders?
• How many points contact do I always have to keep
  with the ladder when going up and down?
• 4 points (2 feet 2 hands)
• 3 points (2 feet 1 hand)
• 3 points (1 foot 2 hands)

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Questions

• When do ladders must be inspected?
• Before each use
• Periodically
• What kind of ladder it is forbidden to use
  around exposed electrical
• wiring?
• A. Wooden ladders
• B. Fiberglass ladders
• C. Aluminum ladders

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Questions

• What distance do I always have to keep with live
  overhead power lines and other overhead
  obstructions?
• 3 feet / 1 m
• 10 feet / 3 m