Working at Heights

4. Ladders

Climbing up and down:

Climbing up and down a ladder must always be done facing it, with both hands free and using them to climb up or down the rungs.

Any object to transport must be hung from the body or the waist.

Upper point of support for the ladder

Inclination of ladders

Inspection

The following points are to be checked for when inspecting ladders:

Loose, poorly assembled, broken or cracked rungs, or rungs that have been unduly substituted by bars or fastened with wire or rope.
The poor state of repair of securing and support systems.
Defects in auxiliary elements (cords, etc.) needed to extend some kinds of ladders.

When faced with any of the aforementioned defects, the ladder should be removed from use. It should be repaired by specialised personnel.

Conservation

Wooden ladders:

These must not be covered with products that imply hiding or disguising the elements of the ladder.
They may be covered, for example, with protective vegetable oils or transparent varnish.
Check the state of corrosion of the metallic parts.

Metal ladders:

Metal ladders that are not made of rust-proof materials must be given a coat of anti-rust paint.
Any defect in a rung, step, etc. must never be repaired, welded, straightened, etc.

After using a ladder, do the following:

Clean it of any substance that might have fallen on it.
Check it, and if you find any kind of defect that might affect its safety, put on sign on its prohibiting its use and send it to be repaired or replaced.

Storage

Wooden ladders must be stored in places sheltered from atmospheric agents.
Whenever possible, ladders must be stored in a horizontal position, resting on fixed supports fastened to walls and are to rest on their side elements.

Personal Protection Equipment

The PPE to use is the following:

Design & Programming