Basic Ladder Safety

Objectives: Help you decide if you really want to get into the business of wildlife and other services that require ladder use. Create awareness of what actually happens in the field when you are not looking. Show you examples of the crazy things employees will do when you are not looking

OSHA: OSHA 29 CFR Have you ever asked 5 people the same question regarding an OSHA standard? What do you get? 10 different answers Although this presentation is designed to help you understand, you need to read the rules.

Ladder Requirements Maximum length –Single ladders - 30 feet long –Extension ladders - 60 foot long –Portable step ladders - 20 feet long Shall be equipped with metal spreader or locking device All ladders should be maintained in good condition at all times

Choose the right ladder! The ladder you choose should be tall enough allow you to work at the desired height without standing on the top rung or step of the ladder.

Inspect your ladders! When: Prior to each use What to look for: Extension Ladders- – Ropes Missing Frayed Not connected properly – Structure Bent Rails Damaged Rungs Loose rungs (can be moved by hand)

Inspect Your Ladders! Damaged feet Damaged extension locks – Don’t seat properly – Missing – Loose or broken Step Ladders- – Wobbles from side to side – Loose or bent hinge spreaders – Broken stop on hinge spreaders – Loose Hinges

Ropes: Not connected properly NO

Ropes: connected properly Yes

Bent Feet

Missing feet

Where was this ladder used?

At this home!

Step Ladders

Prevent a Fall – Ladders Placed with secure footing, or shall be latched or held in position YES!

Prevent a Fall – Ladders NO! Placed with secure footing, or shall be latched or held in position

Prevent a Fall- Ladders 3 Point Contact –One hand secure and two feet secure –Two hands secure and one foot secure

Prevent a Fall – Ladders Always face forward and utilize the three point contact rule. YES!

Prevent a Fall – Ladders Always face forward and utilize the three point contact rule. NO!

Even a cat understands 3 point contact.

Prevent a Fall – Ladders Maintain four (4) to one (1) ratio when setting up an extension ladder. Example: – The gutter is 28 feet from the ground – 28 ÷ 4 = 7 – The bottom of the ladder should be 7 feet out from the point the ladder touches the house

Prevent a Fall – Ladders 28’ 7’

Prevent a Fall – Ladders When reaching out from a ladder, keep your belt buckle or the midpoint of your body between the rails to prevent overreaching. YES!

Prevent a Fall – Ladders When reaching out from a ladder, keep your belt buckle or the midpoint of your body between the rails to prevent overreaching. NO!

Prevent a Fall- Ladders Stabilize the top so that the ladder does not shift from side to side. Ladder Stabilizer

Carrying Ladders

Securing ladders to vehicles Use heavy duty ratchet straps Use bicycle cable lock to secure Bolt the ladder to the ladder rack Walk around the vehicle and check the ladders prior to departing the location.

Ladder accessories Yes ladies; you can even accessorize a ladder!

Ladder Stabilizers

Why Stabilizer?

Adjustable feet

Why spend $139 on adjustable feet? To prevent this

And allow this

And this:

The Crazy things we do!

Multiple Roof Lines

32 feet up!

More than 4 – 1 ratio

In living color!

The squirrel man of Arrow

Fall Arrest Systems - Basics Do not need fall arrest system if person is staying on extension ladder Belt buckle must stay inside side rails of ladder Need fall arrest system if they leave the ladder to go to another level Must wear a body harness Must use a lanyard Must have an anchor point rated to 5,000#s

Fall Arrest Systems- Equipment Ascenders allow person to move upwards with the security of quick catch if they fall.

Fall Arrest Systems- Equipment Full body harness allows for the shock of the fall to be distributed evenly over the body not just the waist.

Fall Arrest System- Equipment Lanyards connect between the body harness and the ascender to allow freedom of movement. Some are shock absorbing.

Fall Arrest System- Equipment Ropes are used as lifelines. Do not buy cheap ropes.

Fall Arrest- Anchor points Trees Fence posts that are concreted in Vehicles Mobile home anchors.

Anchoring Methods Over the roof Horizontal Life Line on ground

Over the roof, ground to ground – top view

Over the roof, ground to ground – side view

Horizontal Life Line on ground – top view

Horizontal Life Line on ground – side view

Over the roof, ground to ground

Horizontal Life Line on ground

Anchor System Single Line Horizontal Line To: Tree Vehicle Concrete Boulder Tie-down Anchor

Tie-down anchors When no natural anchors exist… When vehicles aren’t available… Tie-down anchors are the alternative IMPORTANT – BEFORE YOU USE – Call Dig Alert to mark Underground Utility Lines – Check with building owner about underground sprinklers, landscape lines, etc.

Tie-down anchors Ensure anchor is appropriate for the soil – Measured with a soil test kit (need not be used at every jobsite Avoid all underground lines Use Drive Motor to sink anchors so the heads are 2 to 3 inches above the ground Attach dogbone anchor straps to the heads using slot bolts

Drive Motor & Anchors

SummarySummary