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March 25, 26, 27, 2009

LADDER SAFETY

Presentation by: JOHN LOGAN

SSNS OH&S Trainer

FALLS

Falls are the cause of 50% of the serious injuries & fatalities in construction and high in other sectors.

Most serious falls occur with ladders.

Figures from C.S.A.O.

A study of 1,954 fatal falls in the U.S. construction industry between 1985 and 1993 found that:

one in ten fatal falls was from a height of less than three metres.

22 per cent involved heights of just four to six metres.

one third of all fatal falls are from less than 20 feet --below the height of an average extension ladder or the peak of a one-story bungalow.

Ladders and roofs are also the most common sources of fatal falls.

Note the top of the ladder!

Ft.

Ladders are fall hazards

Ladders must be stabilized and extend at least 3.3 feet above the roof edge.

Both hands must be free when climbing a ladder.

REGULATIONS

A Fall Protection System shall be used where workers could fall 10 feet (3 meters) to a safe surface, or where a fall from a lesser height could result in an injury. The maximum allowable free fall is 4 feet.

Fall Protection while climbing portable ladders is considered to be three point contact.

REGULATIONS

When working less than 10 feet above water (or other drowning hazard), a PFD must be worn, more than 10 feet above water requires a fall arrest system. Part II 15

A Ladder must be inspected daily by a competent person.

COMPETENT PERSONA ladder must be inspected daily by a competent person.The Department of Labour defines a competent person as “ qualified because of that person’s knowledge, training, and experience to do the assigned work in a manner that will ensure the health and safety of every person in the workplace, and knowledgeable about the provisions of the Act and Regulations that apply to the assigned work, and about potential or actual danger to health or safety associated with the work.”

Canada C.S.A. StandardsClass 1: Industrial use-heavy duty ladders.

The least sway and movement. Most durable.

Class 2: Construction grade. Good stability, durability.

Class 3: Household use. Not meant for continuous duty. Lots of sway & movement. Not durable.

Fiberglass ladders are Class 1.

FALL ARREST

PPE Fall Arrest generally consists of a Full Body Harness, a Lanyard, and an Anchorage capable of supporting 5000

pounds.

Note the post-fall position, a sternum D-ring mount would put the victim in a vertical position

FALL ARREST SYSTEM

Full Body HarnessesClassification

4. Class L – Ladder Climbing –

1. front D-ring on belt2. or sternal D (D’s) attached to shoulder

straps3. Make sure the system is CSA certified

ROPE GRABSCSA Standard Z259.2.1

Read the manufacturer’s information & know the operating procedures.Inspect for broken or missing parts.Ensure the arrow is pointing towards the anchor.Keep the rope grab positioned as high as possible.Ensure the rope grab is a match for the rope being used.Must be free moving for ladder climbing.

ROPE GRABS

SAFETY ROPECSA Standard CSA Z259.2.1 Minimum 5/8 inch polypropylene or 5/16” (8 mm) wire rope.Must be free of knots & splices except at termination points.One person to a rope.Preferably have spliced eye with thimbles.Must be secured at bottom for ladder climbing and N.S. Regulations

CARABINERS

Rated for a minimum of 4000# 17.8 kn.

Carabineers must be self locking.

Inspect for any damage.

A RETRACTABLE LIFELINE

An excellent form of Fall Protection for permanent ladders or those used used regularly.

Permanent Ladders(includes fixed scaffold ladders)

Reg.s refer to ANSI Standard: calls for ring guard or platforms at regular intervals.

Permanent Fall Arrest systems provide increased Safety and Due Diligence.

Fixed ladders components:Rungs: all fixed ladders have rungs, 12" on center (measured as the distance from the centerline of a rung to the centerline of the next rung), and at least 16" clear width.

Side members: the rails on the side of the ladder that are designed that the foot cannot slip off the end.

Stand-off Brackets: stand-off brackets must be at least 7" longer than the furthest obstruction for clearance on the back side of ladder. This means that if there is a 4" gutter projecting from the side of a building, a fixed ladder would have to have standoff brackets that were at least 11" (7" + 4") in length.

Cages: Cages are optional for fixed ladders with a floor to floor elevation of less than 20', however they are often available for ladders with elevation changes down to 11'. Cages are mandated to begin between 7' and 8' from the ground and extend the entire length of the ladder. Cages can have left hand or right hand exits (opening in side of cage), top exits (for exit through a hatch or floor door), or walk through exits (for exit through back side of fixed ladder.

Tie off at top where used for access as soon as possible. 1 meter (3.3 feet) minimum stickup.Climb using 3 point contact.Keep your belt buckle within rails.If working from a ladder use fall protection.

Use CSA Class 1 or 2 ladders only.Inspect daily before use.Use non-conductive ladders near electricity.Ensure base is secured.Set at a four – one angle.Have someone hold the ladder until secured.

Ladders are to be inspected daily by a competent person.

Ladder Safety

• Steady a ladder for the first man going to the roof.

• The first man up must tie off or secure the top of the ladder.

• In traffic areas tape off an adequate space.

JOB BUILT LADDERS

Follow regulations for construction. OSGRsDo not paint. (hides defects)Built and inspected by a competent person.

STEPLADDERS

Ensure stable base.

Lock spreader.

Keep your body within side rails.

Keep waist below level top of ladder.

ELECTRICAL SAFETYOSGRs

Minimum Distance Voltage Rating of Power line

3 metres (10') 750 to 69,000 volts5 metres (16.5') 69,000 to 138,000 volts6 metres (20') over 138,000 volts6 metres (20’) unknown voltage

Whenever possible use alternatives.

For access:

Use stairs instead of a ladder.

Access roofs through hatches from inside buildings where possible.

Whenever possible use alternatives.

For work :

Use man lifts, buckets, scissor lifts, zoom booms, forklift work cages.

Use scaffolds-frame scaffold, rolling scaffolds, suspended access equipment (swing stage, bosun’s chair, crane work cages).

STAIRWAYS

For jobs that will have a lot of travel up & down a staircase is the preferred form of access.

Information on ladders:Can-CSA CAN3-Z11

N.S. Occupational Safety General RegulationsPart13

N.S. Fall Protection/Scaffold Regulations Part 2

Canada Labour Code Part II2.6

ANZI Standard A14.3-1992 Fixed Ladders