Comprehensive Ladder Safety Guide for Wildlife Services Workers
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Presentation Transcript
Objectives: • Help you decide if you really want to get into the business of wildlife and other services that require ladder use. • Create awareness of what actually happens in the field when you are not looking. • Show you examples of the crazy things employees will do when you are not looking
OSHA: • OSHA 29 CFR 1926.500 • Have you ever asked 5 people the same question regarding an OSHA standard? • What do you get? • 10 different answers • Although this presentation is designed to help you understand, you need to read the rules.
Ladder Requirements • Maximum length • Single ladders - 30 feet long • Extension ladders - 60 foot long • Portable step ladders - 20 feet long • Shall be equipped with metal spreader or locking device • All ladders should be maintained in good condition at all times
Choose the right ladder! • The ladder you choose should be tall enough allow you to work at the desired height without standing on the top rung or step of the ladder.
Inspect your ladders! • When: Prior to each use • What to look for: • Extension Ladders- • Ropes • Missing • Frayed • Not connected properly • Structure • Bent Rails • Damaged Rungs • Loose rungs (can be moved by hand)
Inspect Your Ladders! • Damaged feet • Damaged extension locks • Don’t seat properly • Missing • Loose or broken • Step Ladders- • Wobbles from side to side • Loose or bent hinge spreaders • Broken stop on hinge spreaders • Loose Hinges
Prevent a Fall – Ladders • Placed with secure footing, or shall be latched or held in position YES!
Prevent a Fall – Ladders Placed with secure footing, or shall be latched or held in position NO!
Prevent a Fall- Ladders • 3 Point Contact • One hand secure and two feet secure • Two hands secure and one foot secure
Prevent a Fall – Ladders • Always face forward and utilize the three point contact rule. YES!
Prevent a Fall – Ladders • Always face forward and utilize the three point contact rule. NO!
Prevent a Fall – Ladders • Maintain four (4) to one (1) ratio when setting up an extension ladder. • Example: • The gutter is 28 feet from the ground • 28 ÷ 4 = 7 • The bottom of the ladder should be 7 feet out from the point the ladder touches the house
Prevent a Fall – Ladders 28’ 7’
Prevent a Fall – Ladders • When reaching out from a ladder, keep your belt buckle or the midpoint of your body between the rails to prevent overreaching. YES!
Prevent a Fall – Ladders • When reaching out from a ladder, keep your belt buckle or the midpoint of your body between the rails to prevent overreaching. NO!
Prevent a Fall- Ladders • Stabilize the top so that the ladder does not shift from side to side. Ladder Stabilizer
Securing ladders to vehicles • Use heavy duty ratchet straps • Use bicycle cable lock to secure • Bolt the ladder to the ladder rack • Walk around the vehicle and check the ladders prior to departing the location.
Ladder accessories Yes ladies; you can even accessorize a ladder!
Why spend $139 on adjustable feet? To prevent this
Fall Arrest Systems - Basics • Do not need fall arrest system if person is staying on extension ladder • Belt buckle must stay inside side rails of ladder • Need fall arrest system if they leave the ladder to go to another level • Must wear a body harness • Must use a lanyard • Must have an anchor point rated to 5,000#s
Fall Arrest Systems- Equipment Ascenders allow person to move upwards with the security of quick catch if they fall.
Fall Arrest Systems- Equipment Full body harness allows for the shock of the fall to be distributed evenly over the body not just the waist.
Fall Arrest System- Equipment Lanyards connect between the body harness and the ascender to allow freedom of movement. Some are shock absorbing.
Fall Arrest System- Equipment Ropes are used as lifelines. Do not buy cheap ropes.
Fall Arrest- Anchor points • Trees • Fence posts that are concreted in • Vehicles • Mobile home anchors.
Anchoring Methods • Over the roof • Horizontal Life Line on ground