EH-93-5 Ladders: Familiarity Breeds Complacency ENVIRONMENT SAFETY & HEALTH BULLETIN Assistant Secretary for U. S. Department of Energy Environment, Safety & Health Washington, D.C. 20585 DOE/EH-0304 Issue No. 93-5 June 1993 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- LADDERS: FAMILIARITY BREEDS COMPLACENCY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- o A worker repositions a fully extended 24-foot aluminum ladder he is using to reach the gutters he was contracted to paint. The ladder contacts a 7200-volt overhead line located 8 feet from the gutter. The painter is electrocuted. o A worker climbs a ladder with both hands full of painting supplies. He missteps on one of the rungs, is unable to grab the ladder because his hands are full, and ends up with a sprained back after falling to the floor. o A worker descending a ladder fails to visually check the area around the ladder's base. He steps off the bottom rung onto a rocky surface and breaks his ankle. o A worker climbing a ladder fails to first check the area above him, and strikes his head on a beam. The injury requires stitches. o A worker atop a ladder overreaches to drill a hole above his head; another assumes an awkward position in order to replace a ceiling tile. Both fall. o A contractor employee is repairing pipe insulation. The ladder he is standing on slips away from the wall it rests against. The worker falls 20 feet. o A worker stands on top of a stepladder to reach an overhead steam line. The ladder shifts. He falls, sustaining a compression fracture of his vertebra and a bruised lung, and is off the job for 120 days. The examples above are only a handful of the more than 500 accidents and over 4600 lost work days involving ladders over the past 5 years at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. These statistics indicate ladders are a major worker safety issue. Of all the factors contributing to ladder accidents, one in particular seems to be playing a major role-- complacency about danger. This lack of awareness and concern may involve our perception of ladders. They are almost as common as ordinary hand tools, & are used widely and frequently. A person who is attentive to safety procedures while operating a power saw may not be when using a ladder. In the first instance, he perceives danger; in the second, he does not. Ladder Safety: When and Where Attention to safety is part of using ladders correctly--anywhere and anytime. Using ladders safety involves proper procedures when preparing to work, going up a ladder, coming down a ladder, working while on a ladder, moving a ladder, and assisting someone else on a ladder. Taking a Good Look - The Critical Safety Measure Visual inspection of equipment and the work area prior to beginning the task is critical to using ladders safely. Ladders should be inspected for defects and to assure that they are tall enough for the job at hand. You should be able to reach what you are doing comfortably; ladders for roof work should project 3 feet above the eaves, gutter, or roof line. Before working outside, check for live power lines. If present, have the power company deenergize them or cover the lines with insulation, if possible. If you must work in the vicinity of live lines, do not use a metal ladder (or wooden ladder with metal side rail reinforcement wires). Use a nonconductive ladder, and be sure to check overhead before moving the ladder to ensure a safe working distance from power lines. Before using ladders inside or outside, make sure you are aware of any dangers from overhead obstructions which could result in head injury. Finally, notice where the feet of your ladder will be standing. Look for a secure, even surface. If you will be stepping off the ladder onto an uneven, wet, or otherwise problematic surface, be careful to prevent injury. Up and Down Ladder climbing should be a deliberate action where full attention is applied. Considering it second nature is inviting a safety incident. Bad climbing techniques, such as not squaring the body between the side rails or not gripping with both hands, are common safety violations. Missteps occur often and produce injuries such as sprained wrists or ankles, and even broken backs. Shoes with heels help prevent feet from slipping through the rungs. Inattentive workers strike their heads on overhead ducts, beams, pipes or valves, or are unable to catch themselves after a slip because both hands are full of materials for the job. Workers climbing ladders must be aware of the space above and have their hands free to climb and handle problems as they arise. Tools should be carried in a pouch or holster, and heavy objects can be raised with a hand line. Working Safely Above Ladder-related injuries also occur after the climbing takes place. Accident records indicate that workers fall off ladders while stretching to reach their work. Several workers have fallen off ladders when reaching to drill overhead. The tendency to overreach beyond a safe distance (arm's length without stretching) is generally caused by one or both of these failings: picking a ladder that is too short or failing to climb down and move the ladder as necessary. To avoid these highly dangerous situations, choose a ladder of proper length. Properly position the ladder under your work, do not shift from side to side, and climb down and move it as required. Consider scaffolding if the job requires excessive ladder moving. The Unsecured Ladder In the last 5 years, 66 workers were injured when unsecured ladders slipped, shifted, or fell. First, an incorrect angle of the ladder against the wall can cause a problem. The distance of the base of the ladder from the wall should equal one quarter the length of the ladder (72.5 degrees). Tying off near or at the top adds extra stability, and placing the feet carefully on a dry, firm surface (avoid ice, snow, and water) will help assure a steady structure from which to work. Stepladders - More Dangerous Than They Appear Stepladders are deceptive. They look stable because of their A-frame construction, but in reality have caused numerous injuries to workers using them. Several stepladder injuries occurred when people in a hurry used unopened stepladders to reach something. Even when opened, stepladders are not stable enough for workers to stand on the top step. Stepladders cannot be used like regular ladders, and must be fully opened with spreaders locked and all four feet firmly planted before they are safe for use. Never stand on the top step/platform of a stepladder. The highest safe step is clearly marked. Ladder Parts Not Intended To Be Stood On o A ladder top cap; the top step of a stepladder or trestle ladder; the pail shelf of a self-supporting ladder. o The rear braces of a self-supporting ladder, unless the braces are designed and recommended for that purpose by the manufacturer. o The top step of the extension section of an extension trestle ladder. o The top cap or step of a combination ladder when it is used as a self-supporting ladder. o The top three feet of an extension ladder, or anywhere above the support point. Pertinent Regulations 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart X, "Stairways and Ladders" 29 CFR Part 1910.25, "Portable Wood Ladders" 29 CFR Part 1910.26, "Portable Metal Ladders" 29 CFR Part 1910.27, "Fixed Ladders" This Bulletin is one in a series of publications issued by EH to share occupational safety information throughout the DOE complex. To be added to the Distribution List or to obtain copies of the publication, call (615)576-7548. For additional information regarding the publications, call Barbara Bowers, Safety Performance Indicator Division, Office of Environment, Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585, (301)903-3016. .