Hundreds of workers are injured or killed every year from accidents on ladders and scaffolds. The good news is most ladder and scaffold accidents are preventable. Most of these accidents are either caused by risky behavior like over-reaching or from faulty setups of the ladder/scaffolding. These mistakes can be corrected.
You have the power to prevent ladder and scaffolding falls. Begin by implementing these 5 steps:
Inspect equipment before use
Follow manufacturer’s instructions and follow safety rules
Use common sense
Avoid risky behaviors like over-reaching, climbing too high, rushing movements, etc.
Report safety problems (broken/malfunctioning equipment) immediately to a supervisor or safety coordinator
Don’t let these types of accidents happen to you or your staff:
A worker was standing on top of a stepstool, which shifted and caused him to fall. He suffered a spinal cord injury and was off work for 4 months. It wasn’t even a long fall.
A worker failed to secure his extension ladder to the top of a 20 ft. wall and he fell to the ground when the ladder slipped away from the wall, resulting in his death.
Two men were working on an atrium when their scaffold collapsed. They fell to a concrete deck. One man was dead on arrival at the hospital; the other was in critical condition.
Practicing the 5 steps above could have prevented all these accidents.
Ladder Dos & Don’t’s
Do make sure ladders are secured firmly at the top and bottom and supports are locked in
Do make sure device is on a level surface
Do use a 4 to 1 ratio; bottom of ladder should be 1 foot away from wall for every 4 feet of ladder height
Do always face the ladder when climbing up or down
Do have at least 3 feet of ladder extended past the top of wall/roof; secure it
Do pay attention to the weight limit ratings listed on the ladder label
Don’t place a ladder against a weak surface like a window
Don’t use metal ladders near live electrical lines
Don’t set ladders on boxes or other objects
Don’t get on a ladder if another person is on it
Don’t work on a ladder when there is a strong wind
Don’t reposition a ladder while you are on it
If your job requires you to work at heights, OSHA and your employer require you to follow safety guidelines for your protection.
3 Fall Protections Systems: (one or more of these should be in place when workers are working from heights)
Guardrails (barriers between workers and the upper level edge)
At least 42 inches high
Able to withstand force of at least 200 lbs.
Materials won’t puncture skin or snag clothes
Safety nets (catch you if you fall)
Must be no more than 30 ft. below elevated workers or area
Have strong rope border with mesh openings smaller than 6 inches per side
Be strength tested by dropping 400 lbs. (30-inch diameter sandbag)
Inspected weekly for wear, damage, and deterioration
Personal fall arrest system (harness/tethers)
Body harness connected to a fixed anchor by lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device
Cannot be used to hoist materials
Must be inspected before and after use
Self-locking, self-closing connectors
Anchor must support at least 5,000 lbs. per attached employee
Cannot connect to platform supports or suspension points, guardrails, or hoists
Avoid connecting to rough edges
Do not connect with a hitch knot
OSHA Requirements for Scaffolds
Scaffolds must be made of metal or stress-grade lumber
Cross bracing is required for metal scaffolding
Guys, ties, or braces are required to keep supported scaffolds from tipping over
Supported scaffolds must bear on base plates and mudsills
Scaffold platforms and walkways should be at least 18 inches wide
Supported scaffolds must be able to hold at least 4 times the intended load
Ropes for suspended scaffolds must be able to carry 6 times their intended load
Scaffold must be erected a safe distance away from powerlines
Safe access to scaffold platforms must be provided (i.e. ladders, ramps, steps)
Fall protection is required for work more than 10 feet above a lower surface
All scaffolds must have guardrails or personal fall arrest systems to prevent falls
Top rails must be 38-45 inches above the platform and able to support a minimum of 200 lbs.
Toe boards at least 4 inches high are required on open sides to keep tools and materials from falling
Screens must be used between guardrails and toe boards if people will be passing underneath the scaffold
Debris nets, catch platforms, canopies, or barricades are necessary if people are passing beneath scaffolding
Employees working below scaffolding are required to wear hard hats
To keep workers safe make sure they are properly trained on the hazards of working at or around heights. Teach them to inspect their equipment and report broken or malfunctioning equipment. Have available and use the proper PPE, and keep equipment clean and properly functioning. Practicing safe work behavior before someone gets hurt prevents someone from getting hurt.
