Safety Services Company
December 10th 2019
Safety Security Company
December is here, with the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to prepare your home and deck it with decorations. From tinsel to Christmas lights, it is the best time to make your home party-worthy. However, hanging decorations, at home or at work, can pose plenty of serious risks and dangers. Using a ladder can be very dangerous, especially if you do not know how to use it properly and how to break a fall.
Whether you are gearing up for Christmas, training to be a craftsman or managing a construction firm, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has laid out ladder safety guidelines to ensure your workers stay safe when using this tool.
Regarding ladder safety, the first thing to consider is choosing the right ladder for your needs. For those who aren’t in the construction industry, it might be surprising to learn that ladders are rated according to the weight that it can bear. Before buying a ladder or at least selecting one for use, you must check the rating and align it with the task that you need to accomplish.
The sturdiest of them all, Type IA ladders have a duty rating of 300 pounds. Out of all the types, this kind of ladder is designed for heavy-duty use.
Likewise, Type I ladders are meant for heavier use. It can bear weights of up to 250 pounds.
For medium-duty use, Type II ladders should be the right type for you. It can stand weights of up to 225 pounds.
For lighter tasks, you are only required to use a Type III ladder. This kind of ladder has a duty rating of 200 pounds.
It’s important to note that only Type IA and Type I ladders are designed to be used on construction sites. Moreover, these ratings can be found on the side of every ladder as prescribed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Aside from the weight restrictions, your height should also be taken into consideration. Typically, a worker would be comfortable working at shoulder level which is generally 5 feet off the ground. Calculate accordingly prior to purchasing or selecting a ladder.
After choosing the right type, setting it up properly will ensure you remain safe while using the ladder. Per OSHA:
No matter how prepared you are, injury accidents can happen, especially when working from heights. In such cases:
Most accidents avoidable, especially when following the guidelines above. As employers, it’s critical to to keep your safety programs and ladder training updated every year. These standards can prevent your workers from costly accidents and save your company from a lawsuit.
Thankfully, you don’t have to go navigate OSHA’s fall protection guidelines alone. To see how we can solve your company’s ladder safety training and compliance needs, check out our products and services here or call us at (866) 329-5407 today. Remember, your one call can save lives and improve your company’s ROI.