In 1998 the Bureau of Labor and Statistics recorded In 1998 the Bureau of Labor and Statistics recorded 8,568 injuries due to occupational ladder falls:8,568 injuries due to occupational ladder falls:

41 of the falls resulted in fatalities41 of the falls resulted in fatalities

Ladders that are faulty, broken, improperly set up, Ladders that are faulty, broken, improperly set up, or do not meet industry standards can result in or do not meet industry standards can result in

serious injury or even death serious injury or even death

Roofers gain the most exposure to injury when Roofers gain the most exposure to injury when ascending or descending laddersascending or descending ladders

• There must be a stairway or ladder at points of access where there is an elevation break of 19 inches or more.

§ General Requirements 1926.1051

• Provide at least 2 ladders (or double-cleated) when ladders are the only means of access and 25 or more employees

• One point of access kept clear

• If access blocked second access provided

§ General Requirements 1926.1051

Type 1Type 1Capacity = Capacity = 250 lbs250 lbs

Type 1AType 1ACapacity = 300Capacity = 300 lbs lbs

Ladder ratings are located on the left side-rails of Step Ladder ratings are located on the left side-rails of Step and Extension Laddersand Extension Ladders

1. 1. WoodWood

2. 2. AluminumAluminum

3. 3. FiberglassFiberglass

Ladders are composed of three materials: Ladders are composed of three materials:

PROSPROS

Most commonMost commonLightweightLightweight

Does not conduct electricityDoes not conduct electricityVery lightweightVery lightweight

CONSCONS

HeavyHeavy

Prone to breakageProne to breakage

Conducts electricityConducts electricity

ExpensiveExpensive

• Cracks Cracks • BendsBends• HolesHoles

Inspect Inspect RungsRungs and and Side-RailsSide-Rails of ladders to ensure they of ladders to ensure they are free of:are free of:

• TarTar• GreaseGrease• Heavy dirtHeavy dirt• Any material Any material that effects gripthat effects grip

Clean the ladder completely Clean the ladder completely

before utilizingbefore utilizing

Ladder must be tagged as Defective Ladder must be tagged as Defective

““DO NOT USE”DO NOT USE”

Inspect the ladder’s Inspect the ladder’s feetfeet to ensure they to ensure they areare::

Inspect the ladder’s Inspect the ladder’s feetfeet to ensure they to ensure they are are notnot::

This ladder must be tagged as defective, removed from service, and This ladder must be tagged as defective, removed from service, and repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications;repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications;

or be disposed ofor be disposed of

Rungs on ladders manufactured after March 15, 1991Rungs on ladders manufactured after March 15, 1991

shall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skidshall be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid

resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slippingresistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping

CORRUGATIONSCORRUGATIONS

This applies to all ladders!This applies to all ladders!

Ladder Racks must be:Ladder Racks must be:• SturdySturdy• Able to support the weight of the Able to support the weight of the heaviest ladder to be transportedheaviest ladder to be transported• SecuredSecured

To load/unload the ladder To load/unload the ladder onto the racks:onto the racks:• Get help from a second employee Get help from a second employee

• Secure to rack by lock and chain Secure to rack by lock and chain

Extend 3 feet or less Extend 3 feet or less ( ( << 3) 3) past the rear rackpast the rear rack

• • LLow traffic areaow traffic area• Level areaLevel area• Dry areaDry area• A location as close as possible A location as close as possible to the project roofto the project roof

• • Avoid rocks, loose sand, mud, Avoid rocks, loose sand, mud, and iceand ice

• • An area free of power linesAn area free of power lines

What to What to LOOKLOOK for when setting up a ladder: for when setting up a ladder:

PROPER LADDER PROPER LADDER SETUP IS CRUCIAL!SETUP IS CRUCIAL!

• An area free of tree limbs An area free of tree limbs

and any other object that can and any other object that can

impede motion impede motion

• • If setting up in an area of If setting up in an area of

snow or ice, a de-icer must be snow or ice, a de-icer must be

usedused

• • In medium to heavy traffic areas In medium to heavy traffic areas

(pedestrian or car) use warning lines (pedestrian or car) use warning lines

or caution tape to demarcate your or caution tape to demarcate your

ladder access pointladder access point

What to look for when setting up a ladder:What to look for when setting up a ladder:

11. Set up in the immediate . Set up in the immediate area after ensuring it is free area after ensuring it is free of debrisof debris

22. Have a second employee . Have a second employee hold the base while you hold the base while you “walk” the top end up“walk” the top end up

33. When the ladder is . When the ladder is vertical use the rope to pull vertical use the rope to pull the upper section to at least the upper section to at least 3 3 feet above the rooffeet above the roof

44. When set be sure that . When set be sure that rung latches are locked in rung latches are locked in placeplace

1

2

3

4

It is mandatory that you never set-up a ladder It is mandatory that you never set-up a ladder on ice or snow; unless de-icer is usedon ice or snow; unless de-icer is used

• • The angle of the ladder is best determined by a 1 to 4 ratio The angle of the ladder is best determined by a 1 to 4 ratio • Divide the roof height, including any parapet walls, to the • Divide the roof height, including any parapet walls, to the ground by 4 ground by 4 • • This number in feet is how far the base of the ladder should This number in feet is how far the base of the ladder should be set away from the buildingbe set away from the building• • The angle created will be approximately 75.5 º, the ideal The angle created will be approximately 75.5 º, the ideal angle for climbing a ladderangle for climbing a ladder

A quick test is to stand placing your toes against the base of the ladder A quick test is to stand placing your toes against the base of the ladder reaching your arms out directly in front of you parallel to the ground. If reaching your arms out directly in front of you parallel to the ground. If

set properly, your hands should reach the rung closest to your arms!set properly, your hands should reach the rung closest to your arms!

Proper Angle Set-upProper Angle Set-up

Building height = 20 feet from Building height = 20 feet from ground to roof, or top of ground to roof, or top of parapet wallparapet wall

2020÷4÷4

55

The base of the ladder will The base of the ladder will be placed be placed 5 feet5 feet from the from the wallwall

20’

5’

Example of the 1 to 4 RatioExample of the 1 to 4 Ratio

2

44

33

11

1. Place Toes Against Bottom of Ladder 1. Place Toes Against Bottom of Ladder

Side-RailsSide-Rails

2. Stand Erect2. Stand Erect

3. Extend Arms Straight Out3. Extend Arms Straight Out

4. Palms of Hands Should Touch Top of 4. Palms of Hands Should Touch Top of

Rung at Shoulder LevelRung at Shoulder Level

Here is an easy way to ensure the Here is an easy way to ensure the ladder setup follows the 1 to 4 rule:ladder setup follows the 1 to 4 rule:

75°75°

• Wind BarWind Bar• Termination BarTermination Bar• Screws or Heavy Nails Screws or Heavy Nails (to the inside of the roof) (to the inside of the roof) • Fall Protection Anchor PlatesFall Protection Anchor Plates• The inside of metal copingThe inside of metal coping

Make sure that at least 3 rungs extend above the roof, & Make sure that at least 3 rungs extend above the roof, & tie offtie off the top of the ladder to the building; This can be the top of the ladder to the building; This can be achieved by utilizing:achieved by utilizing:

Mount it to these points with:Mount it to these points with: • RopeRope• Rubber Bungie CordRubber Bungie Cord Never use cloth bungie to tie off a Never use cloth bungie to tie off a

ladderladder

Tying the ladder off toTying the ladder off toperimeter metal coping:perimeter metal coping: • Ensure the coping is secureEnsure the coping is secure• Use rubber bungee cordsUse rubber bungee cords• Tie it to the inside of the copingTie it to the inside of the coping

Tying the ladder to the exterior Tying the ladder to the exterior of the metal will not hold if the of the metal will not hold if the base of the ladder “kicks out”base of the ladder “kicks out”

Tying the ladder off with a Tying the ladder off with a gutter in place:gutter in place:• Never tie the ladder to a gutterNever tie the ladder to a gutter

(tie it to the roof)(tie it to the roof)• Place a block of wood in the gutterPlace a block of wood in the gutter

to provide support and to prevent to provide support and to prevent

damage damage

When working in slick conditionsWhen working in slick conditionssuch as such as rainrain or or snowsnow use a base use a basesupport. This would include:support. This would include:• Tying the base off to the buildingTying the base off to the building

• Tying the base off to a stakeTying the base off to a stake

OnOn ConcreteConcrete::• Be sure slip resistant pads are flatBe sure slip resistant pads are flat

InIn Dirt Dirt::• Tilt feet (with spikes down)Tilt feet (with spikes down)• Push feet into groundPush feet into ground

1. Only 1 person on the ladder at a time 1. Only 1 person on the ladder at a time

2. Face the ladder2. Face the ladder

3. Maintain a 3. Maintain a three - point contactthree - point contact with with

the ladder at all times the ladder at all times

4. Other employees should hold the base 4. Other employees should hold the base

and top of the ladder while the crew is and top of the ladder while the crew is

climbing up or down climbing up or down

5. Never carry tools in your hands while 5. Never carry tools in your hands while

climbing a ladder, or material.climbing a ladder, or material.

6. Use a backpack to carry items to the6. Use a backpack to carry items to the

roof or ground (or rope the items up)roof or ground (or rope the items up)

When climbing the ladder:When climbing the ladder:

• Access to the top and base of Access to the top and base of a ladder a ladder must be clear of any must be clear of any obstructionsobstructions

• No employee shall be left on No employee shall be left on a roof project after the a roof project after the ladder has been taken down ladder has been taken down without another route of without another route of escape in the event of an escape in the event of an emergencyemergency

• Ladders shall be taken down Ladders shall be taken down at lunch and at the end of at lunch and at the end of each work day for liability each work day for liability purposes purposes

Materials at the top or base of a ladder can lead to falls

Additional Requirements:Additional Requirements:

Metal SpreaderMetal Spreader

20‘ Maximum 20‘ Maximum

General rules for the use of step ladders:General rules for the use of step ladders:• Do not stand on or above the Do not stand on or above the second rung from the topsecond rung from the top

• Separation between rungs must be Separation between rungs must be a maximum of 12 inchesa maximum of 12 inches

• The maximum length of the front The maximum length of the front rail is 20 feetrail is 20 feet

• The feet must contain an insulatingThe feet must contain an insulating non-slip material non-slip material

• The metal spreader must firmly The metal spreader must firmly hold the front and rear sections hold the front and rear sections in the open positionin the open position

Fixed ladders can only be used for roof access if they meet the Fixed ladders can only be used for roof access if they meet the following criteria:following criteria:• Must support a live load of 200 Must support a live load of 200

poundspounds

• Rungs must be no less than 3/4 of an Rungs must be no less than 3/4 of an

inch in diameterinch in diameter

• The space between rungs must be The space between rungs must be

uniform and no greater than 12 uniform and no greater than 12

inches inches

• The distance between the ladder The distance between the ladder and the point of attachment must and the point of attachment must be a minimum of 7inchesbe a minimum of 7inches

7 inches 7 inches minimumminimum

12 inch 12 inch maximummaximum

• Remain closed until employees Remain closed until employees

access or leave the roofaccess or leave the roof

• Be of sturdy constructionBe of sturdy construction

• Have warning lines around the Have warning lines around the

hatch, if it is to remain openhatch, if it is to remain open

Above is a hatch surrounded Above is a hatch surrounded by a guardrail (this is ideal)by a guardrail (this is ideal)

In order for ladder hatches to be used as the point of In order for ladder hatches to be used as the point of access to a roof they must:access to a roof they must:

Instructions for opening and closing ladder/roof hatches:Instructions for opening and closing ladder/roof hatches:

• Only open and close a hatch from a ladder when Only open and close a hatch from a ladder when it is requiredit is required

• Always have a tight grip of the ladderAlways have a tight grip of the ladder

• Use the Use the latch handlelatch handle to close the hatch to close the hatch

• NeverNever use the use the prop arm handleprop arm handle to close the hatch to close the hatch (the rubber (the rubber

handle can slide off which may cause a fall)handle can slide off which may cause a fall)