An Introduction to Construction Ladder Safety

What is Construction Ladder Safety?

Construction ladder safety is an important facet of preventing onsite accidents. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 22,710 cases of nonfatal injuries resulting from ladder use, and 5,370 of these happened within the construction industry. It is primarily concerned with using ladders properly while on a construction site and encourages better awareness of the risks associated with this equipment.

Understanding Ladder Safety on Construction Sites

In general, ladder safety is a key facet of fall prevention and requires best practices for ladder use to avoid accidents. Since a construction site comes with inherent risks and may have more hazards than a regular workplace, it is essential to have protocols in place to ensure worker safety while using ladders.

Here, we list some common hazards that threaten the safety of workers when using a ladder:

• Incorrect ladder setup: At times, workers may neglect to properly set up the ladder. This leads to a higher risk of the ladder toppling over or failing to support the weight of its user, causing accidents.

• Defective equipment: Using a damaged or defective ladder increases the risk of the equipment breaking during use. Defects can include eroded material and missing steps that could injure a worker or cause them to fall.

• Exceeding weight limits: The weight limit of a ladder depends on the make and manufacturer standard. However, it is important to be aware of the limit, especially for workers who carry tools when ascending a ladder as this can cause them to topple over.

• Unstable ground conditions: Setting up a ladder on uneven ground can make the equipment unstable. This can lead to a higher risk of falling from a height or the ladder slipping, both of which could be a cause of serious injury.

Pre-Use Inspection Tips for Ladder Use

To avoid accidents when using ladders, it’s essential to take precautions before even stepping onto the equipment. Here are some pre-use inspection tips to consider:

Pre-Use Inspection Tips for Ladder Use

1. Be knowledgeable of product standards

All ladder types are subject to product standards, but some regulatory standards require ladders used for construction to follow certain specifications. To illustrate, OSHA 1926.1053 enumerates a specific set of qualifications for ladders used for construction project purposes to prevent onsite incidents.

Additionally, other governing bodies in the UK and the European Union (EU) mandate that ladders, regardless of the industry of use, must follow the EN131 standards. This requires ladder manufacturers to make the product sturdier and wider to accommodate greater weights and provide better support for users.

2. Check the structural integrity

When inspecting a ladder, it’s important to check that it is stable to avoid the risk of the equipment buckling under the weight of a person. In line with this, you should also check for the following:

• Any locking mechanism

• Missing or loose steps

• Rot, decay, or warped rails in wooden ladders

• Racks and exposed fiberglass in fiberglass ladders

• Corrosion, rust, oxidation, and excessive wear

• Damage or wear on other items such as spreaders, locking devices, hinges, springs, or ropes

3. Ensure parts are clean

In addition to checking for the structural integrity of a ladder, cleanliness is also an important aspect of ladder safety. Before using a ladder, check for any debris, mud, or chemical substances present on the equipment. When not properly removed, dirt left from previous users can be a hazard and potentially cause an incident.

4. Validate identification label

Ladders are considered equipment on a construction site and should be part of the inventory. As such, you should check for the identification label of a ladder before using it to verify its weight limit, height, and other factors that could affect its use.

If a ladder is found defective, it is also necessary to update its identification label and tag the unusable equipment. While some defects can be safely repaired, it is crucial to take unusable ladders out of service to prevent hazards.

5. Report any defects

If, upon inspection, a ladder is found to be defective for use, a formal report should be made to the construction site’s foreman or supervisor. It is important to be as detailed as possible when creating this kind of report and attach media files to provide needed context in describing the condition of a defective ladder.

There are pre-made templates to assist with conducting ladder inspections that make it easy to attach files and share the report across teams to loop in relevant stakeholders.

Key Safety Rules and Best Practices

Besides conducting pre-use safety inspections for ladders, it’s recommended to follow best practices to keep construction workers safe. Some safety rules and best practices that you should follow are listed below:

1. Never exceed the ladder’s weight capacity.

2. Set up ladders properly. Use a 4:1 ratio for straight or extension ladders; for every 4 feet of ladder height, the base should be 1 foot away from the wall.

3. Avoid using ladders in bad weather conditions (e.g., rain, high winds).

4. Always face the ladder when climbing.

5. Do not use ladders for unintended purposes (e.g., scaffolding).

6. Keep ladders away from electrical points during use.

7. Wear appropriate footwear and personal protective equipment (PPE).

8. Properly store ladders as a preventive measure and avoid early onset of damage.