If you must place your

Falls from ladders STEP LADDERS ladder in front of a door,

Positioning and securing ladders: make sure it is locked or
blocked off.

Brace yourself with your

free hand if possible. Right height for the job.
1 meter
extension past Staying safe when using a
Face the ladder while The top two steps are not
ladder:
the support climbing. safe to stand on.
point
1. maintain three points of contact Always carry tools in a
Ladder clamped toolbelt holster or pouch Fully open stepladder and
on the ladder at all times and not in hands. lock spreaders in place.
to prevent
movement 2. use a tool belt or side pouch
Maintain 3 points of
Use ladder with non-slip
Stile feet resting 3. ensure only light work is carried contact while climbing
feet.
out on the ladder where tools (such as 1 hand and 2 feet,
on a firm and or 2 hands and 1 foot).
can be operated safely with one
level surface
hand
Falls from ladders have Firm and level base.
Ladder set at a
resulted in a significant 4. make sure that no-one works
4 to 1 ratio underneath the ladder
number of serious and THE WRONG WAY Do not place Do not use a
fatal injuries, even when Do not carry the ladder on ladder with
5. do not allow anyone else on the Do not fold up and Do not heavy objects uneven soft slippery steps,
working at low heights. ladder at the same time lean the ladder overreach. while climbing a ground. or damaged
against a surface. ladder. stiles.
Falls from any height can 6. do not straddle the ladder
Employers Responsibility: be dangerous, so be aware
7. Wear slip-resistant footwear. Remember while using ladder:
of your WHS duties.
• Stepladders are used in the fully open position.
• The working height is limited to accessing the ceiling or soffit of
the floor above which the stepladder is positioned, or to 1.8 meters
Selecting Portable Ladders: as a maximum height.
• Do not work above the third step from the top of the stepladder.
• Ladder should Select ladders that are-
be appropriate • One person should hold the step ladder from the ground when
• Industrial rated another is working from it.
for the task and
in good working • Able to extend at least 1meter higher than the landing Working near Electrical Equipment:
condition. level
Ensure that metal ladders or wire-reinforced ladders are not used for
• Capable of supporting the greatest load to be imposed work:
• Ladders are • No longer than the lengths specified below: • On or near low voltage (110 volts. or greater) electrical conductors.
inspected on
regular basis by • Within 6 meters of live 1500 volts. overhead power supplies or
high voltage equipment.
a competent
person Maximum Lengths • If there are live electrical conductors nearby, where the conductor
could move due to wind load, or the ladder could move due to
Metal ladders and reinforced Wooden Ladders swaying so that safe distances are not maintained.
• Those involved
plastic ladders: • 5.5 meters platform

LADDER SAFETY
in the use of Using Fall Arrest Equipment:
• 6.1 meters for an industrial stepladder:
ladders are When work is being carried out from ladders, additional safety
stepladder: • 5.5 meters industrial pole
trained and precautions are to be followed:
• 9 meters for a single ladder
competent • if an employee accesses a height of more than 2 meters, an
industrial ladder: •
• 15 meters for an industrial appropriate harness, and safety line is provided.
extension ladder • Fall Arrest Systems shall be used in accordance with OSHAD-SF –
CoP 23.0 – Working at Heights.
 Extend ladder 3 above the
• Always face the ladder when DO’S 1 surface
ascending or descending.

LADDER SAFETY • Always maintain 3 points of

contact on the ladder:
1. Do maintain 3 points of contact
on the step ladder:
2 Tie-off ladder at the top

-2 feet & 1 hand or

2 feet + 1 hand or -2 hands & 1 foot 3-point contact at all times
LADDER 2 hands + 1 foot 2. Do place the step ladder on level 3 when climbing ladder
ground, solid and an unmovable
RULES • Top of the ladder should never surface
be used as a step. 3. Do face the step ladder when Don’t use if ladder has
ascending or descending
4 broken rungs
• Ladders should never be
4. Do stay centered on the step
moved, shifted, or extended Ladder
Ladders and stepladders must be designed for heavy-
While occupied. For every 4’ in height, put
duty or industrial 5. Do fully open the step ladder and 5 ladder 1’ back
• Never carry any object or load lock supports in place
use and of international standards, such as BS EN131 6. Do brace yourself with your free
that could cause you to lose
– Ladders or equivalent. hand if possible
your balance.
7. Do carry tools in a tool belt or
6 Secure ladder at the bottom
pouch not in your hands
8. Do use a step ladder with non- Never carry tools or
BE SAFE slip feet 7 materials on ladder
Remember while using ladder: 9. Do use the right height of the
WHILE USING LADDERS step ladder for the job
• Ensure ladders are not placed on 10. Do inspect the step ladder before
LADDER SAFETY
boxes, barrels, or other unstable using it
bases to obtain additional height.
• A ladder is used for vertical access DO’S DONT’S
only, a ladder shall not be used in DONT’S
• Inspect all ladders a horizontal position as a platform,
BEFORE USE for runway, or scaffold ONLY USE A LADDER OR ON A LADDER OR
1. Don’t overreach so you lose
deficiencies like broken • Ensure a ladder is not used to gain STEPLADDER:- STEPLADDER DO NOT:
your balance and fall possibly
rungs. height above the protected edge causing severe injuries
• After you have inspected it • Extend ladders while
• Remove any damaged of a scaffold or an elevating work 2. Don’t ever use the top two
•In a safe environment free standing on rungs
platform. steps of the step ladder as it
ladders from service. of clutter • Overload it or carry loads
can collapse under you and
• Only one person at a time uses a • At a firm level base on ladders
• Be sure the ground is lead to crippling injuries
ladder. • If you can lean at • Overreach
3. Don’t move or shift the step
stable when setting up a approximately 75° from • Allow more than one person
ladder while someone is on it
ladder. Regulatory & Contractual 4. Don’t place the step ladder
horizontal at one time
• Where you can maintain 3 • Stand ladders on moveable
Requirement: on uneven ground, moveable
• While ascending a points of contact (hands or objects or uneven ground
objects, or a soft surface
ladder, face it and have feet) • Use the top two steps
• OSHAD-SF-CoP 37.0-Ladders, Version 5. Don’t carry a heavy object or
both hands free so you load that can cause you to lose
• Stay near the middle of the on either a ladder or a
can grasp it properly. 3.0, July 2016. ladder stepladder
your balance
• OSHAD-SF-CoP 23.0-working at 6. Don’t fold up and lean the step
heights, Version 3.0, July 2016. ladder against a wall or surface