Working at Heights
4. Ladders
4.2. Preventive Measures
Placing
Situation of the foot of the ladder:
- Before using a ladder, make sure that it is stable. The bottom must have a solid base.
- The surface on which it rests must be flat, horizontal, resistant and non-slip. Absence of any of these conditions may lead to a serious accident.
- To place a ladder on an inclined surface, adjustable shoes have to be used so that the rungs are in the horizontal position.
- A ladder must not be placed on unstable or mobile elements (crates, drums, etc.).
- The ladder must always rest on the floor on the side elements and never on the lower step or rung.
- The shoes on the ladder must be anti-slip and be in good condition.
Inclination of the ladder:
- The inclination of the ladder must be such that the distance from the foot of the ladder to the vertical line passing through its vertex is between one quarter and one third of its length, which corresponds to an inclination of between 75.5° and 70.5° (floor-ladder).
- The maximum angle at which a step ladder can be open is 30º, with the cord that joins the two planes extended or with the locking mechanism that limits its opening blocked.
Securing
- It is advisable to immobilize the top of the ladder by means of a rope or cord whenever its stability is not guaranteed.
- The tensor on step ladders has always to be in a perfect state of repair and completely extended when working.
Usage
The following measures are to be adopted whenever the use of a work platform is not possible and ladders have to be used:
- The state of the ladder must be checked before each use.
- Before getting on the ladder, it is necessary to check that both the soles of your footwear and the steps or rungs are clean and, in particular, free of grease, oil or any other slippery substance.
- The ladder must stick out at least 1 m above the upper point of support when accessing high places.
- If your feet are more than 1.5 m from the floor, use a safety harness anchored to a solid, resistant point or a previously installed life-line.
- A ladder is not to be used simultaneously by more than one person.
- Ladders of more than 5 m in length are not to be used.
- When using step ladders, you should not pass from one side to the other over the top nor work “on horseback”, i.e. with one foot on each side of the ladder.
- Place the ladder in such a way that the point of operation can be easily accessed without having to stretch or hang out. Do not hesitate to change the placement of the ladder to access another point of operating.
- Ladders are not to be used for any other purpose than those for which they have been built. Double ladders must not be used as simple ladders. They are not to be used horizontally as bridges, gangways or platforms, or used as supports for scaffolding.
- A ladder must never be moved with a worker on it.
