Ladders Safety in Construction
 Ladders can be found on almost any construction site and it's very easy to neglect the potential safety hazards they pose. Maintaining safety regarding ladder starts with the appointment of a competent person to inspect ladders.
It is important that all ladders are inspected when first delivered onto site and thereafter at intervals not exceeding monthly. The findings of the inspections must be recorded in a ladder register. Make sure the register is kept up to date. These inspections must be done by a competent person that is appointed in writing.
Here are the items you must be check when inspecting ladders:
- On Step Ladders check the hinges, stays, braces and stiles
- On Extension Ladders check the ropes, rungs, stiles and safety latches.
- On Straight Ladders make sure the rungs, stiles and feet are in good condition and that the ladder is always positioned at the correct angle.
The supervisor must remove any damaged ladders from site immediately and ensure that it is not used. As paint conceals defects, use varnish or two coats of oil instead, to preserve wooden ladders.
Extension and straight ladders must always be secured or tied at the top before use. This will stop the ladder from moving while climbing up or down. If the ladder cannot be secured it must be held in position by another person whilst in use
 Never assemble or join ladders. This is a very dangerous practice and is NOT permitted..
Always climb or decent a ladder facing the ladder. Make sure to have both hands free to hold onto the rungs at all times. Don't carry tools or equipment in your hand whilst climbing a ladder.
Ladders must never be used horizontally as walkways or as scaffolding, they are not designed for this and will not be able to withstand a person's load and will lead to serious injury.
Make sure the ladders that are used on site protrude at least 900 mm above landing, platforms and roof areas. This will allow a person to safely transfer from the ladder to the platform.
Always place a ladder so that its feet are a quarter of its length to the top support from the object it is resting against. (1:4 Ratio) This represents an angle of approximately 75 degrees.
When you are done with a ladder make sure it is cleaned and stored off the ground and protected from being damaged. Ladders should be hung on brackets against a wall.
Make sure that all the fixed ladders on your site that are higher than 5m have cages around them or fall arrest systems in place to ensure the safety of persons using it.
For more information on Lifting Machinery and Lifting tackle Safety and other related safety topics visit www.safebuild.co.za
Neels Nortje | Health & Safety Manager |
