20 LADDERS - IHSA

1 CHAPTER 20 LADDERS . 20 LADDERS associated with ladder injuries, justifies having increased worker training and better supervision of ladder use in construction. Worker training alone will not yield sufficient improvement. Any significant reduction in ladder incidents will require regular supervisory reinforcement of training as well as improved site control of operations involving LADDERS . Standards Standard manufacturing specifications exist for most types of LADDERS . CSA Standard Z11 sets out requirements for manufacturing portable LADDERS . The Ontario Ministry of Labour has established standards for job-built wooden LADDERS , while the Falls from LADDERS are common to all trades and International Standards Organization has issued pose one of the most serious safety problems in ISO-2860 relating to "Access LADDERS on Earth construction.

2 Each year, on average, more than 300 Moving Machinery". lost-time injuries (LTIs) are caused by falls from a ladder in the Ontario construction industry. Many of these falls result in critical injuries ( , 65 in 2015). Materials or fatalities ( , 2 in 2015). The most common materials for LADDERS are aluminum, wood, steel, and fibreglass-reinforced plastic. The following are major causes of ladder injuries. Wooden LADDERS deteriorate more rapidly than LADDERS are not held, tied off, or otherwise those made of more durable materials. They secured. must never be painted because paint hides signs Weather conditions cause rungs or steps to of d eterioration and may accelerate rotting by become slippery. trapping moisture in the wood. However, they Workers fail do not grip LADDERS properly when may be treated with a clear non-toxic wood climbing up or down ( , maintain 3-point preservative or coated with a clear varnish.)

3 Inspect wooden LADDERS f requently for: contact). Workers do not position themselves properly on Splits, shakes, or cracks in side rails and rungs LADDERS ( , leaning out too far). Warping or loosening of rungs LADDERS do not have secure footing at the base Loosening of attached metal hardware or are placed at improper angles. Deformation of metal parts. LADDERS are defective. Although aluminum LADDERS are popular and more High winds cause LADDERS to topple. widely used than wooden LADDERS in construction, they are also more susceptible to damage by When near electrical lines, LADDERS are carelessly rough usage. Because they conduct electricity handled or improperly positioned. well, aluminum LADDERS must not be used where ladder stabilizers are not used when needed.

4 Electrical contact is possible. Check side rails and Always consider and plan for the safest way to do rungs regularly for dents, bends, and loose rungs. work that cannot be done from ground level or If dented, the ladder should be taken out of service from the finished floor of a building or structure. In until repaired by a competent person. If repair is some cases, the safest way may be to use a ladder . not p ossible, the ladder should be destroyed. However, when dealing with elevated work or when Fibreglass-reinforced plastic side rails are working at heights, it's important to first consider becoming more common and are generally whether the use of scaffolding, work platforms, used with aluminum rungs. They do not conduct or powered elevating work platforms (PEWPs) electricity well and are resistant to corrosion.

5 They would be a more appropriate and safer alternative are lightweight and a vailable in various colours. to LADDERS . If it is determined that a ladder will be They are, however, costly and heat-sensitive. used, then a risk assessment of the ladder work They must not be exposed to temperatures above should be done. C (200 F). This chapter provides guidelines for selecting, Fibreglass LADDERS should be inspected regularly setting up, maintaining, and using LADDERS . Because for cracks and "blooming." This is when weathering LADDERS are frequently used in the construction and UV damage wears away the protective surface industry, workers face increased exposure to and causes the glass fibres to become exposed. ladder hazards. This exposure, coupled with the The worn area should be coated with an epoxy large number of LTIs and the costs and suffering material compatible with the fibreglass.

6 Equipment 20-1. LADDERS . Because of their weight, steel LADDERS are generally not used as portable LADDERS in the c onstruction industry. They are, however, often fixed to permanent structures or mobile machinery. Types The types of LADDERS used on construction sites range from metal LADDERS that are permanently mounted on equipment to job-built wooden LADDERS . Sections 78 to 84 of the Construction Projects regulation (213/91) defines the following Hooked types of LADDERS used in construction. ladder Straight ladder Extension trestle ladder a self-supporting or portable ladder that is adjustable in length, Extension ladder "Catwalk". Sectional ladder consisting of a trestle ladder base, a vertically adjustable extension section and an adequate means of locking the ladder base and extension Figure 20-1: Types of portable LADDERS section together Platform ladder a self-supporting portable ladder Self-Supporting LADDERS that is not adjustable in length, where the highest standing level is a platform A stepladder is defined as a self-supporting portable ladder that is not adjustable in length, Single ladder a non-self-supporting portable has flat steps and a hinged back, and whose back ladder that is not adjustable in length and has only section is either a single ladder or other supporting one section device (O.)

7 Reg. 213/91, s. 78). Since it doesn't Stepladder a self-supporting portable ladder require a wall for support, it can be used in the that is not adjustable in length, has flat steps and centre of a room or work area. a hinged back, and whose back section is either a Other types of self-supporting LADDERS are platform single ladder or other supporting device LADDERS , trestle LADDERS , and extension trestle LADDERS Step stool a self-supporting, portable , fixed, or (Figure 20-2). In addition to the standards of sound foldable ladder that is not adjustable in length and has: construction and reliable service that should apply to all LADDERS used on site, the primary consideration 1. A height of 800 mm ( ft) or less, excluding with these LADDERS is that they have strong spreader side rails, if any, above the top cap, arms that lock securely in the open position.

8 2. Flat steps, but no pail shelf, and 3. A ladder top cap that can be stood or stepped Plaform on. ladder Trestle ladder a self-supporting portable ladder , non-adjustable in length, having two sections and hinged at the top so as to be able to form equal angles with the base. Trestle ladder portable LADDERS portable LADDERS can be easily moved or carried. They come in different types as seen in Figure 20-1. All portable LADDERS must have non-slip feet or be Step ladder set up so that the feet will not slip. Locked Although portable LADDERS are available in various Extension Trestle grades, only LADDERS that meet the design, ladder performance, test, and marking requirements of a Grade 1, Grade 1A, or Grade 1AA ladder in the CSA Standard Z11-12: portable LADDERS should be Figure 20-2: Types of Self-Supporting LADDERS purchased and used.

9 The type purchased should be compatible with the degree of rough usage expected. Heavy-duty (or higher) portable LADDERS must be used for construction purposes. 20-2 Construction Health and Safety Manual LADDERS . Each type can be used for a specific purpose. Vertical LADDERS permanently fixed to structures Workers are not permitted to stand on the top should comply with Fixed Access LADDERS : step of a stepladder or trestle ladder ( , the Engineering Data Sheet 2 04 available from the first step below the top cap or top of the rails). Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL). However, the highest standing level of a platform ladder is the platform at the top. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions before using a ladder . Trestle LADDERS have a "double front" that allows two workers to climb at the same time (one per side).

10 An extension trestle ladder has a middle section that can be adjusted vertically. Two extension trestle LADDERS , placed side-by-side, can support a scaffold plank, creating a stable work platform. Fixed LADDERS Steel LADDERS permanently fixed to structures such as stacks and silos are designed for servicing those structures after construction is complete (Figure 20-3). However, they are often used by work crews during construction. If the LADDERS are vertical and there is a risk of falling more than 3 m (10 ft), a body harness and lifeline (or body harness and channel lock device). should be used by workers climbing up and down or working from the LADDERS . Figure 20-3: Fixed Access ladder These LADDERS must have: Special-Purpose LADDERS A special-purpose ladder is a portable ladder that has been modified or redesigned for a specific use (Figure 20-4).