Top of the Ladder Safety: OSHA’s National Ladder Safety Month

Join OSHA this month in celebrating National Ladder Safety Month. Each week will consist of a new toolkit talk on a different construction risk management topic to help you and your employees stay safe this spring and to help raise awareness on these topics. Week four we are going to discuss the topic of safety while at the top of a ladder. 

Most people think the danger with ladders only resides while failing to set it up correctly or while climbing. However, a lot of danger can occur when not employing safe practices while you are working at the top of a ladder. At the top, it is just as important to pay attention and follow the following safety rules:

• Don’t stand on the top step or top cap. If you feel like you need to stand on the top step of the ladder to reach your work area, you are not using the right type of ladder for the job. Standing on the top step, cap, or straddling the top of the ladder can lead to a loss of balance. If you still can’t reach your work area from the top, the ladder is too short.
• Maintain three points of contact. The same rule as when climbing a ladder also applies when at the top and you are no longer scaling the ladder. When working, this means having both feet firmly planted on the ladder with a hand resting on the ladder for stability while the other hand is working.
• Don’t overreach. You are more likely to overreach when you don’t maintain three points of contact, but even when you do it is important not to overreach or learn to throw yourself off balance. Always keep the center of your abdomen between the side rails.
  

Follow these tips and make your employees aware of proper climbing techniques to avoid fatal fall accidents. To learn more about OSHA’s National Ladder Safety Month or safety at the top of a ladder visit: https://www.laddersafetymonth.com/.

DII is your partner in worksite safety. Our team of experts can work with you to understand how to educate your employees and keep everyone at the worksite safe while using ladders or other equipment. Please contact your DII representative for more information. #LadderSafety #OSHA #Top