TBT (Ladders)

Topic:        Ladders

    Using of unsafe ladder and unsafe usage of ladder have been observed inside the plant and resulted in accidents/incidents.

 

 

Use of Unsafe Ladder 

• Defect in ladder. Ladder without inspection tag.
• Ladder wobbles due to missing feet /rubber pads or not being correctly pitched/ tied.
• Missing, damaged or worn anti-slip feet/pad.
• Crack in the rungs or stile of the ladder, loose screws / rivets.
• Missing, broken, rotating or weakened rungs.
• Missing or damaged tie rods/locking arrangements.

 

Unsafe Usage of Ladder

• Overstretching.
• Slipping or losing your footing.
• Items struck in shoe sole such as grease, oil, dirt etc.
• Mud, grease or oil either on the rungs or the stiles.
• Carry loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.
• User not maintaining three-point contact.
• Working from top step with no handrail.

• Crack & defects.
• Missing of rungs.
• Missing of anti-slip rubber pads.
• Free of oil, grease, mud and other slipping hazards.
• Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces and secured to prevent accidental movement.
• All ladders used to access an elevated surface must be extended at least one meter /3 rungs above the access point.
• Only one person shall be permitted on a ladder at any one time.
• It is unsafe for personnel to carry tools & equipment on ladder.
  
• Secure ladder against slipping by tying at the top / roof. Alternatively secure at the sides or at the foot.
• Never place a ladder where there is danger from opening doors, moving vehicles, overhead cranes or electricity lines.
• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladder.
• Do not move, shift or extend ladders while in use.
• Use ladders equipped with non-conductive side rails/glass fiber if the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Face the ladder when moving up or down. 
  
• Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing.
• The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface.
• Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their designed purposes.
• Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step ladder) as a single ladder or in a partially closed position.
• Be sure step ladders are fully open and locked before climbing them.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.
• Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single or extension ladder.

• Ladder with inspection tag and green band shall only be used inside plant.
• Always maintain 3-point contact while climbing the ladder.
• It is the responsibility of user to do a Visual inspection/Pre-use check on condition of ladder before every use.