Safety issue in focus: ladders
Falls from ladders are an extremely common cause of injury in the workplace. Following are some practical ways for keeping yourself and others safe while using ladders.
General safety tips
Choosing your equipment
Setting up a ladder
Using a ladder
Prosecution case study
Further information
General safety tips
- employers should always conduct a risk assessment to identify and control any hazards associated with using a ladder in the particular situation
- ladders should be regularly inspected and maintained
- all workers should be trained in the safe use of ladders.
Choosing your equipment
- always choose the best equipment for the job e.g. a mobile scaffold or elevating work platform may be more safe and suitable
- if a ladder is the best option, ensure the type of ladder you have chosen is properly suited to the task and of adequate strength e.g. manufactured for industrial use and with a load rating of least 120 kilograms
- always inspect the ladder before use to ensure it is in a good working condition.
Setting up a ladder
- always check for overhead powerlines before attempting to set up a ladder
- do not use a ladder in an access area (e.g. doorway, passageway or driveway) unless the area has been blocked off or traffic has been safely redirected
- clear any rubbish or obstructions from around the base and top of the ladder
- ensure the ladder is set up on a firm surface and placed at a safe angle
- secure either the base or top of the ladder to prevent it moving (e.g. tie the ladder to a secure point or ask another person to hold the base of the ladder).
Using a ladder
- always maintain three points of contact when using a ladder ie. have two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot on the ladder
- always face the ladder when climbing up or down and when working
- do not overreach while working from a ladder. Your body should be centred between the stiles of the ladder
- avoid climbing up and down a ladder while carrying anything in your hands. Don't handle equipment that will restrict your movement or cause you to lose balance
- keep your shoes free of grease or other slippery materials while using ladders
- do not stand higher than the tread or rung indicated on the ladder as the highest standing level
- do not stand on the top cap or the top tread of a self-supporting ladder, above the second top rung of a non self-supporting ladder or on the rear horizontal braces of a single-sided, self-supporting ladder
- a ladder used for access must extend at least one metre above the level where a person exits the ladder.
Prosecution case study
A contract roofing company permitted workers to access a residential roof by way of an aluminium extension ladder set up on a sloping concrete driveway and resting unsecured on the roof gable.
An experienced worker was injured when the ladder slipped beneath him. He fell, catching his foot in a fence on the way down. The worker was lucky to sustain injuries only to his wrist, thumb and foot.
The roofing company was fined $20,000.
(Inala Industrial Magistrates Court, February 2005)
Further information
The above list is not exhaustive, but covers some of the main safety precautions you can take when working with ladders. For more on prosecutions read Prosecutions News or phone 1300 369 915.