Don’t Risk a Fall – Use Ladders and Step Stools Properly

Ladders and step stools are commonly used in the home and workplace, but do we give them much thought before stepping on one? If used improperly, they can be dangerous or even fatal. According to the Liberty Mutual 2020 Workplace Safety Index, $5.71 billion is spent on workplace falls to a lower level, such as from ladders and platforms. These falls are ranked 4th out of the top ten causes of the most serious workplace injuries.

Emory University has a Ladder Safety Program that outlines the minimum requirements for the proper selection, care and use of portable ladders including step ladders.

If you have a step ladder, step stool, or mobile ladder stand, be sure to use them properly.

Never use a ladder if you feel sick or dizzy.
Visually inspect portable ladders at the time of purchase, before each use and following any incident (e.g., dropped ladders, employee accidents involving a ladder, etc.).
Document inspections annually and following any incident.
Select the correct type of ladder for the job. Consider the duty rating, ladder type and height required to safely complete your task.
Place step ladders, step stools and mobile ladder stands on level surfaces. Ensure all safety feet are fully supported.
Block open entries, lock or otherwise guard doorways that open towards a ladder.
Always face the ladder when ascending or descending, except as permitted by certain mobile ladder stands.
To maintain balance, do not climb higher than the second step from the top cap on a stepladder. However, the platform is the highest standing level on step stools, platform step ladders and mobile ladder stands.
Do not use the rear horizontal or bracing attached to the rear rails of stepladders or platform ladders for climbing or standing. These are designed solely for increasing stability.
Always keep the center of your body within the side rails of the ladder and maintain three points of contact while ascending or descending a ladder.
Ensure the spreader assembly of a stepladder is fully opened and locked before use. Never climb a folded stepladder.
Never use a portable ladder in excess of its intended working load (i.e., duty rating).
Never attempt to move, shift or extend a ladder while standing or climbing on it. Set-up ladders close to the work area and do not over-reach.
Never place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
Remove damaged ladders from service and tag as “Dangerous, Do Not Use,” or with other similar language, until the repairs are made. Note: Ladders that cannot be repaired must be withdrawn from service and destroyed in such a manner as to render it useless.
Never use a metal ladder when working on electrical equipment or components.
If possible, get the assistance of a co-worker to hold the ladder while you are using it.

Inspect step stools and ladders before you use them.

Ladder Inspections 

To  meet OSHA’s requirement for ensuring ladders are inspected to identify any defects that could cause injury, departments that own portable ladders are required to document portable ladder inspections annually – including but not limited to all styles of stepladders and mobile ladder stands. 

Step stools are excluded from the documented inspection requirement. However, they should still be inspected for damage using the same ladder inspection guidelines outlined below. Step stools are defined as having flat steps and side rails and they do not exceed 32 inches in height from the bottom to the top step (although they may have rails that extend higher for added safety to the user). For laboratories, a record of the annual ladder inspection may be maintained electronically, on a ladder inspection tag affixed to the ladder, or on a printed form that is kept in the laboratory safety binder.   

When performing ladder inspections, consider the following:

The duty rating, safety and instructional labeling is present and readable.
All hardware connections are secure and in good condition (e.g., no corrosion, etc.).
Surfaces are free of sharp edges, splinters and burrs.
Side rails and bracing are free of dents or bends.
Steps, handrails, and guardrails are not dented.
The spreader assembly of stepladders and platform ladders is intact, not bent and locks correctly.
The safety feet and other components (such as casters, guardrails, etc.) of mobile ladder stands are present and in good condition.
Steps and platforms are free of oil, grease or other slippery substances.
The side rails, rungs or cleats of wooden ladders are free from shake, wane, compression failures, decay, or other irregularities.
No modifications have been made to the ladder without written approval from the manufacturer.

Resources 

If you experience a fall or ladder related injury, contact Occupational Injury Management (OIM) at 404-686-8587, immediately take the ladder out of service (for inspection by EHSO) and report the incident in H.O.M.E.
Ladder Safety Program
Ladder Inventory and Inspection Record Template

NIOSH also offers a free Ladder Safety App designed to improve extension and step ladder safety. Features include ladder set-up instructions, inspection checklist, and an angle measuring tool for non-self supporting ladders (i.e. extension or straight ladders).