Extension & portable ladder safety devices
While ladders can be highly valuable tools on the job site, they must be used in accordance with safe work procedures to avoid injury or even death.
· Using Ladders can be hazardous. They are linked to more deaths and injuries than any other type of household item.
· In recent years, there has been a large increase in residential ladder fall injuries, despite a downward trend in workplace ladder falls.
· A ladder fall is more likely to cause serious injuries to men over the age of 60.
· Most individuals are aware that ladders are hazardous, but they nonetheless take safety shortcuts on occasion.
Safety should be priority when utilizing a ladder. Safe ladder use involves securing your ladder with a ladder safety device and planning any job prior using a portable ladder.
Practice safe ladder usage by properly setting up the ladder. This involves not using the ladder on uneven terrain or reaching too far when on the ladder.
Ladders are a safety concern for both consumers and professionals, given the considerable number of deaths, hospitalizations, and major injuries. Ladder usage is consistently one of the most risky activiites in both the household and industrial environments, resulting in significant human suffering and economic costs. This is even more startling when you consider the other devices that cause accidents, such as grinders, power saws, and activities like automobile maintenance. The fact that such obviously risky instruments and activities cause fewer accidents than ladder use shows that more work needs to be done in both the design and application of ladders to jobs.
Ladders were responsible for 20% of fatal workplace falls in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to OSHA, there are 24,882 ladder injuries each year, 36 of which result in fatalities, and roughly half of all annual injuries serious enough to cause lost work time. Faulty ladders, inappropriate ladder setup, and incorrect ladder use are the most common causes of ladder falls. Controlling ladder fall dangers is critical not just for worker health and safety, but also for reducing the likelihood of OSHA violations. See: 2014, OSHA Safety and Health Regulations for Construction: Stairways and Ladders.
Despite the fact that ladder risks and OSHA regulations are well-known, ladder use continues to result in accidents, injuries, fatalities, and citations every year.
In addition to regulatory penalties, associated costs include increased worker compensation expense, lost productivity and loss of business opportunities as many facility owners who use third-party contractor screening services will not allow contractors to bid on projects if their OSHA recordable or worker compensation experience modification rate exceeds that of their peers. The variety of ladders in use, and the work-site conditions in which they're utilized add to the complexity of controlling ladder fall dangers.
In 2004 a study from Loughborough University analyzed the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices. The research findings showed that ladder safety devices may be able to reduce ladder-related accidents. This information is especially relevant to the construction industry, where injuries resulting from falls related to ladder use are most common; the workers most commonly involved in ladder accidents are painters and decorators within the construction industry, between 36 and 55 years of age.
5 Steps to Ladder Safety
1) Choose the Most Appropriate Ladder for the Job.
Many ladder-related injuries occur when the incorrect ladder is used for the job. When choosing a ladder for a job, consider the following. Use the appropriate ladder for the job. A worker should never stand on the top rung or top cap of a stepladder, or the top three rungs of an extension ladder, unless the ladder is long enough to reach the task safely.
2) Examine the Ladder
Check for loose rungs, rivets, bolts, and welds on the ladder. Use a ladder that is free of broken or defective pieces. To guarantee safe and steady footing, clean the ladder of any foreign materials, grease, paint, or grime.
3) Safely erect the ladder
Place the ladder on firm, level, and debris-free ground. Always assess the stability of the setup from the lower rungs before going higher to avoid risky leveling practices. To increase ladder safety, use a ladder stabilizer or ladder safety device.
4) Look for any potential dangers.
Overhead electrical wires, for example, should be avoided. Make sure there are no lubricants or construction waste in the setup area. Set up a ladder away from blind corners where it will not be seen by others. A ladder should never be placed in front of a door.
5) The Correct Approach to Getting on the Roof
It might be difficult to get to a higher landing or roof. Ensure that the ladder is at least 3 feet above the roofline. Climbing up over the top rung is never a good idea. Rather, take a cautious step to the side onto the roof or landing. Take your time and do not rush. To secure the ladder to a gutter, use a ladder grip or a ladder stability device.