Toolbox 7- Ladder & Scaffolding Safety

 

by: desertknightfm Rhojel

Many accidents have resulted from people doing things that they basically knew were wrong, but they went ahead and did them anyway.

Ladders, scaffolds, and other climbing devices and work platforms, if properly constructed and maintained, do not cause injuries – people who use them do.

The physical and structural specifications are well documented in many different sources; national safety council data sheets, building codes, and federal, state, and local safety standards. All of these specifications are helpful when designing and purchasing ladders, scaffolds, and railings. However when people start to use them, human judgement comes to play.

Judgement is one of those funny words that mean different things to different people. To clarify my intent, judgement implies training and correct application. An untrained person can make a judgment error due to lack of knowledge. Trained persons can commit judgment errors due to failure to apply what they know, perhaps for reasons such as hurrying, forgetting, preoccupation, distraction, and laziness.

Let’s get back to ladders – there are wooden ladders, steps and extension type, aluminum ladders, steel ladders, and fiberglass ladders. Each has special purpose and each should be used in the application it was design for. Examples are:

· Don’t use fiberglass ladders in areas of high heat, which can weaken the material.

· No metallic ladders should be used for electrical works.

Now, to refresh your memory on important ladders safety rules:

1.       Straight or extension ladders should be set so that the ladder base extends out from the wall or for a distance one-fourth the height of the ladders.

2.       Tops of ladders should be anchored and should extend at least three feet above the platform or floor they serve.

3.       The user must face the ladder and have both hands free for climbing up or down. Use hand lines or tool bags for tools.

4.       Avoid over reaching. One arm length either sides is the limit – move the ladders when needed.

5.       Make sure the ladder stable; use ladder shoes, secure the top, and have someone hold the bottom.

6.       Guard the base if working near a doorway or travel way.

7.       All fabricated ladders (scaffold tube & clamp) should have rungs spacing of 12” and with a maximum height of 2 meters only.

Scaffolds come in many different sizes and designs, so we will review some general rules:

·        If the platform is not protected by standard handrails and toeboards, a full body safety harness must be used.

·        Make sure freestanding scaffolds are stable; anchor if necessary.

·        Avoid using fiber rope for suspended scaffold if use around extreme heat, open flame, or where burning, welding, or cutting is being done.

You can avoid injury by using the right kind of ladders or scaffold, by careful pre-use inspection, by placing it properly and by observing safety rules.

STOP UNSAFE ACTS NOW!