1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to provide written instructions for Nitro Construction Services in the use and inspection of ladders.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the Site Manager/Superintendent to implement the requirements of this procedure.
3.0 REFERENCES
29 CFR 1910.26
29 CFR 1926.1051
29 CFR 1926.1053
29 CFR 1926.1060
5.0 DEFINITIONS
5.1 Belt Buckle Rule – Using your belt buckle as a guide, do not lean your body to a point where the belt buckle goes beyond the side rails of the ladder.
5.2 Extension Ladder – A self-supporting portable ladder, adjustable in length, consisting of a trestle ladder base and a vertically adjustable extensions section, with a suitable means of locking the sections together.
5.3 Ladder, Type I – Portable ladder that supports at least 250 pounds of weight.
5.4 Ladder, Type IA – Portable ladder that supports at least 300 pounds of weight.
5.5 Qualified Person – An experienced Contractor representative, acceptable to Project Management.
5.6 Step Ladder – A self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of two sections hinged at the top to form angles with the base.
6.0 PROCEDURE
6.1 General Rules For Safe Ladder Use
6.1.1 Ladders must be maintained in good usable condition at all times.
6.1.2 Ladder rungs must be uniformly spaced or meet OSHA/ANSI specifications.
6.1.3 A stairway or ladder shall be provided at all personnel points of access where there is a break in elevation of 19 inches or more, and no ramp, runway, sloped embankment, or personnel hoist is provided.
6.1.4 Employees shall not use any spiral stairways that will not be a permanent part of the structure on which construction work is being performed.
6.1.5 A double-cleated ladder or two or more separate ladders shall be provided when ladders are the only mean of access or exit from a working area for 25 or more employees, or when a ladder is to serve simultaneous two-way traffic.
6.1.6 The employer shall provide and install all stairway and ladder fall protection systems required and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements before employees begin the work that necessitates the installation and use of stairways, ladders, and their perspective fall protection systems.
6.1.7 Defective ladders are to be tagged “DO NOT USE,” and they must be repaired, or destroyed and discarded.
6.1.8 Only ladders of non-conductive material are to be used for electrical work.
6.1.9 Place ladders on a firm level surface. Ladders may not be placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
6.1.10 Face ladders when ascending or descending.
6.1.11 Keep weight centered between side rails; use the “belt buckle rule,” never reach out more than normal arm’s length.
6.1.12 Keep steps or rungs free of grease, oil, or slippery substances.
6.1.13 One person on a ladder at a time.
6.1.14 Hands must be free when climbing a ladder, use rope and bucket to raise tools up to a person on a ladder.
6.1.15 Ladders are not to be used for anything other than the intended purpose.
6.1.16 Ladders will not be placed in front of a door opening that opens toward the ladder unless the door is blocked, locked, or guarded.
6.1.17 A ladder is used to gain access to a roof or upper landing surface must extend at least 3 ft above the roofline.
6.1.18 When working on a ladder, keep at least three points on the ladder at all times, and if three points cannot be maintained, fall protection must be utilized.
6.1.19 If a ladder is used near a platform edge, fall protection must be used even if the person is less than 6 ft off the work surface.
6.1.20 Ladders shall not be loaded beyond the maximum intended load for which they were built, nor beyond their manufacturer’s rated capacity.
6.2 Straight and Extension Ladder Rules
6.2.1 Straight or extension ladders must be tied off when in use to prevent slipping. A coworker must be used to stabilize the ladder before it is tied off or in the event, it cannot be tied off. Do not leave a ladder that is not tied off or secured standing upright.
6.2.2 The length of two single ladders or individual sections of ladders shall not exceed 30 feet. Two-section ladders shall not exceed 48 feet in length and over two-section ladders shall not exceed 60 feet in length.
6.2.3 Based on the nominal length of the ladder, each section of a multi-section ladder shall overlap the adjacent section by at least the number of feet:
6.2.3.1 Up to and including 36 feet – 3 feet overlap
6.2.3.2 Over 36 and up to and including 48 feet – 4 feet overlap
6.2.3.3 Over 48 and up to 60 feet – 5 feet overlap
6.2.4 Extension ladders shall be equipped with positive stops to ensure the overlap specified above.
6.2.5 Never stand on the top three rungs of an extension ladder or straight ladder.
6.2.6 Be sure locks on extension ladders are securely hooked over rungs before climbing.
6.2.7 The bottom of the ladder should be set out from the top support approximately 1/4 of the working length of the ladder.
6.2.8 The top of the ladder must have both rails supported unless equipped with a single support attachment.
6.3 Step and Platform Ladder Rules
6.3.1 If the stepladder is more than 6 ft. high or it is close to a platform edge, the ladder should be tied off for additional security.
6.3.2 The length of a stepladder or platform ladder shall not exceed 40 feet in length as measured by the length of the front rail.
6.3.3 Never stand on the top two steps of a stepladder.
6.3.3 Stepladder spreaders must be straight and in a locked position when the ladder is in use.
6.3.4 Do not use stepladders on scaffolds.
6.3.5 Do not climb from one ladder onto another.
6.3.6 Do not “walk” or shift a ladder while on it.
6.4 Maintenance and Inspection
6.4.1 Inspect ladders before use and if a ladder has tipped over while in use by answering questions regarding the ladder using good safety judgment.
6.4.1.1 Are side rails bent, dented, split, or broken?
6.4.1.2 Are rungs or steps bent, loose, or missing?
6.4.1.3 Are rung to side rail connections loose or damaged?
6.4.1.4 Are hardware connections such as rivets showing signs of shear or other damage?
6.4.1.5 Are the non-skid feet in poor condition?
6.4.1.6 Do movable parts bind or exhibit undue play?
6.4.1.7 Are wood ladders coated with an opaque covering which could conceal defects in the wood structure (identification or warning labels may be placed on one face of a side rail)?
6.4.1.8 Is there grease or oil on the rungs or steps? If so, clean off the grease or oil.
6.4.1.9 Is rope frayed, badly worn, or too short? If so, replace the rope.
6.4.2 Ladders that fail the inspection and the condition cannot be corrected by the user before use, are to be considered defective and tagged “DO NOT USE.”
6.4.3 Communicate faulty ladder conditions to management and to the ladder’s owner
6.5 Training
6.5.1 The employer shall provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways, as necessary. The program shall enable the employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards.
6.5.2 The employer shall ensure that each employee has been trained by a competent person in the following areas, as applicable:
6.5.2.1 The nature of fall hazards in the work area.
6.5.2.2 The correct procedure for erecting, maintaining, and disassembling the fall protection systems to be used.
6.5.2.3 The proper construction, use, placement, and care in the handling of all stairways and ladders.
6.5.2.4 The maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used.
6.5.2.5 The applicable OSHA standards.
6.5.3 Retraining shall be provided for each employee as necessary so that the employee maintains the understanding and knowledge acquired through compliance.