Ladders are a very handy tool, both at work and around the home. Ladders are such simple tools that many people forget the dangers involved when using a ladder. Ladders are made from a number of different materials, each having its own uses and limitation like aluminium, fiberglass, wood, and steel.
Ladders can be used for work at height when a risk assessment has shown that using equipment offering a higher level of fall protection is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of use; or there are existing workplace features which cannot be altered. When people use ladders very frequently at work or home they run the risk of becoming complacent.

Extension/Straight Ladders

When using a straight or extension ladder, place the ladder on a firm surface. Make sure it has slip resistant feet, use secure blocking or have someone hold the ladder. When using extension ladders raise the extension ladder to the desired height and ensure both sides are locked.
The top of the ladder should extend at least 3 feet above the roof line/contact point. Follow the ‘4 to 1’ rule: one foot back for each four feet up. When you set-up the ladder, count the number of rungs up to the point where the ladder touches the wall. The bottom of the ladder must be one rung’s length out from the wall for every four rungs up the wall.

Fixed Access Ladders

Fixed (permanent) platforms with access by stair or ladders are needed when regular access is required to equipment elevated either above or below floor level. When installing a fixed access ladder, ensure the design requirements. Always maintain three points of control. This is done by having two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on a ladder at all times. When climbing the ladder, face the ladder and place your feet firmly on each rung. Ensure your footwear is clean and free of mud, etc. If you need tools, raise or lower using a hand-line or place the tools in a pouch.

Tripod Orchard Ladders

Tripod orchard ladders are designed for use on soft and uneven surfaces; they do not have spreaders. An orchard ladder has a single back leg. This provides relatively stable support on uneven terrain. This type of ladder is meant to be used in soft soil; therefore the ladder could collapse if used on firm, smooth ground. The steps are at least 27 inches long and should have a metal angle brace.
The maximum flare on the top to bottom rails (averaging 2.25 inches per foot) is required to stabilize the base. To avoid excessive penetration in soft soil, a double base on the rails is provided.

Step Ladders

When using a stepladder to carry out a task check all four stepladder feet are in contact with the ground and the steps are level and only carry light materials and tools, don’t stand and work on the top three steps (including a step forming the very top of the stepladder) unless there is a suitable handhold. Ensure any locking devices are engaged. However, there are occasions when a risk assessment may show it is safer to work side on, e.g. in a retail stock room when you can’t engage the stepladder locks to work face on because of space restraints in narrow aisles, but you can fully lock it to work side on, try to avoid work that imposes a side loading, such as side-on drilling through solid materials (eg bricks or concrete). Where side-on loadings cannot be avoided, you should prevent the steps from tipping over, eg by tying the steps. Otherwise, use a more suitable type of access equipment.

Check your ladder before you use it

Before starting a task, you should always carry out a ‘pre-use’ check to spot any obvious visual defects to make sure the ladder is safe to use.
A pre-use check should be carried out:
• by the user;
• At the beginning of the working day
• After something has changed, eg a ladder has been dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean area (check the state or condition of the feet).
Check the stiles – make sure they are not bent or damaged, as the ladder could buckle or collapse.
Check the feet – if they are missing, worn or damaged the ladder could slip. Also check ladder feet when moving from soft/dirty ground (eg dug soil, loose sand/ stone, a dirty workshop) to a smooth, solid surface (eg paving slabs), to make sure the foot material and not the dirt (e.g. soil, chippings or embedded stones) is making contact with the ground.
Check the rungs – if the rungs are bent, worn, missing or loose the ladder could fail.
Check any locking mechanisms – if they are bent or the fixings are worn or damaged the ladder could collapse. Ensure any locking bars are engaged.
Check the stepladder platform – if it is split or buckled the ladder could become unstable or collapse.
Check the steps or treads on stepladders– if they are contaminated they could be slippery; if the fixings are loose on steps, they could collapse.

Controls

Develop a policy on ladders which covers use, inspection, repair, and disposal. Emphasize compliance with the legal requirements covering ladders. Establish safe practices for the use of ladders. Make sure they are followed. Consider first options that may allow the work to be done without having to use a ladder in the first place: can the work be lowered so it can be done at regular height? Can mirrors, cameras or other devices be used to monitor processes from ground level? Is there a way to get the work done without putting an individual at risk on the ladder?

Defective Ladder

Ladders that are damaged or defective can be very dangerous and they should immediately be marked or tagged “DO NOT USE” and taken out of use until repaired. Ladders repairs must be done by the manufacturer or other qualified person and must restore the ladder to a condition meeting its original design criteria. If a ladder cannot be properly repaired it must be destroyed and discarded.

Training Requirement

Along with this training booklet, your employer will provide additional training to ensure how to use ladders correctly. You need to be able to recognize hazards related to ladders and know how to minimize those hazards. Proper use, placement and care in handling of all ladders and maximum intended load-carrying capacities of ladders used.