Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room treated injuries and 300 deaths in the US that are caused by falls from ladders. With that in mind, here are a few safety tips for using ladders, excerpted from OSHA’S Portable Ladder Safety Quick Card.
- Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder.
- Avoid electrical hazards! – Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder.
- Avoid using a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment.
- Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
- Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g. step ladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed position.
- Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a ste/rung unless i was designed for that purpose.
- Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing.
- Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet.