Submitted for post by Mr. Breeden.
Wobbly Ladders Should Be Discarded.
If your life depends on a piece of equipment, you take the time to inspect it before each use, don't you? What if that piece of equipment is a common ladder? Workers who are careful about other hazards sometimes take chances with ladders, not realizing how seriously they could be injured.
Safety incident records include many accounts of workers killed in falls from ladders. Serious head injuries and broken bones are frequent outcomes from a ladder mishap. Many electrocution deaths involve a ladder contacting an electrical line.
Job-constructed ladders, or ladders made on site, are sometimes built in haste and may not be built to acceptable standards. They are often neglected and could cause serious injury if used.
It is important to use only a ladder in perfect condition, and to use it correctly:
*Inspect the ladder before each use. Every component must be in good condition - the rungs, side rails and feet. Every nut, bolt and rivet must be secure.
*If you find defects, remove the ladder from service immediately. Tag it defective so someone else will not use it by mistake. The ladder should be repaired if it is possible to do so properly. If it is not repairable it should be sawed into pieces so it can't be used again.
*Don't try to "make do" with a ladder of the wrong length. The ladder must extend above the top of the roof so you can balance yourself as you step off. A common recommendation is three feet. Check what the recommendations are in your area. You cannot make use of the full length of an extension ladder because the two sections must overlap. This overlapping is dictated by its overall length. Manufacturer's guidelines should be followed.
*Use a ladder of the correct type for the work you are going to do - straight, extension or step ladder. It must be rated for the weight it is going to hold.
*When working from a ladder, be sure to follow your company's fall protection policy. Never over-reach while working from a ladder. A good rule of thumb is to reach no more than an arm's length from the side of the ladder.
*Note the material the ladder is made of. Wood can split and break with age and wear. Metal ladders can buckle under too much weight. Metal ladders must not be used for electrical work. The ladder must be resistant to corrosion from moisture and chemicals present in the work area. Fiberglass is used for many ladder designs.
*Set up the ladder correctly. If the ground surface is uneven, dig a hole for the lower leg rather than resting the high leg on a block. The surface should be solid and stable so the ladder will not slip.
*Use the four to one formula when setting up a ladder. For every four feet the ladder reaches up the wall, it should be one foot away from the wall. So if you have a ladder touching the wall at the 12 foot level, the ladder's feet should be three feet away from the wall. This gives you a safe angle of 75 degrees. If the angle is greater than this, the ladder will not be as strong. If the angle is less than this, the ladder could tip over backwards.
Your life may depend on the condition of the ladder you use. Remember this when you choose a ladder for the job.
