While ladders are typically used for only brief periods at a time, falls from ladders account for 20% of injuries in general industry. That's a huge amount, especially for equipment not normally intended for extended use. It underpins how easy it is to overlook the importance of fully compliant ladder fall protection.
In addition, working to achieve compliance with those standards can feel tricky when ladders are involved; even when off the ladder, additional safety standards apply, given ladder openings meet the same criteria for holes as skylights and other interior openings.
As we'll discuss, ladder fall safety is an integral part of almost any roof fall protection system or elevated platform with ladder access.
When most people think of work involving ladders, they picture something like aluminum extension ladders propped against a wall or ledge. For industrial settings, however, ladder fall protection extends to a much wider range of conditions, including:
Fixed external ladders for roof access, utility poles, or telecommunications equipment
Internal rooftop ladders and hatches
Integrated ladder/shelving units for tall storage racks and warehousing
Fixed ladders connecting two walking-working surfaces
Portable ladders, such as standard extension ladders and ladders for temporary scaffolding
The presence of any ladder invokes multiple fall safety protocols. Most passive and active fall protection equipment is built for workers at height, but those conditions change dramatically when workers change elevation.
With a large variety of ladder designs and applications comes an equally wide range of ladder safety solutions. Fortunately, choosing the right ladder safety device has become much easier with modern advances in fall protection equipment.
Before making firm decisions about any fall protection effort, safety managers must be clear about which regulations apply. Review state, OSHA, or CCOHS safety standards as necessary, and consult experts in the field whenever you have questions.
OSHA standards for ladder safety cover an enormous range of conditions. Consult the following to determine which regulations apply to your job site or facility:
1910.23(b) – General requirements for all ladders
1910.23(c) – Portable ladders (also see 1917.119)
1910.23(d) – Fixed ladders
1910.23(e) – Mobile ladder stands and mobile ladder stand platforms
1926.1053 – Stairways and ladders
It's also extremely important to effectively convey the standards affecting your work site. A shorthand guide (such as this OSHA quick card for portable ladder safety) is very effective at reminding employees of the most critical factors in ladder safety.
Clarity is even more important if a ladder is defective or otherwise unsafe to use. If, on daily inspection, you discover a ladder defect, immediately stop using it and post a notification, using language such as "Dangerous: Do Not Use."
For greater certainty, a ladder security cover, or ladder door, can physically restrict use. When combined with a lock, a ladder door can prevent unauthorized access and reduce liability. This is a common need for large commercial facilities with public access, like hotels, event complexes, or large retail and office buildings.
Often, a ladder security cover may be the only thing between patrons and potentially dangerous areas.
With some exceptions, commercial rooftop access generally boils down to internal and external fixed ladders. Both require workers to climb a straight vertical incline, and depending on the ladder's top height, it may also require safety equipment before you even get to the roof or ground.
Per OSHA 1926.1053(a)(18), ladders over 24 ft (7.3 m) must have a ladder safety device, well, or self-retracting lifeline. In such cases, a properly constructed lifeline is usually the most secure option. The most effective features to look for in a fixed ladder lifeline include:
Steel cable guides and re-tensioners for every 25 ft (7.6 m) of vertical distance
Brackets designed for your particular type of ladder rungs
Top mounting bracket with an integrated shock absorber to minimize deceleration forces
A robust and compatible fall arrestor (normally sold separately – but look for a detachable internal spring-loaded cam)
Built in compliance with technical industry standards, including ANSI A 14.3 and CSA Group
With ladders over 24 ft, it's a good idea to include a ladder door. This way, if the ladder safety device malfunctions, you can physically block its use until the necessary repairs.
Ingress or egress onto/from a fixed ladder carries additional risks. It's important to keep the ladder and the surface-mounted guardrails it connects to fully aligned (i.e. of the same height and the same width apart). This helps workers maintain their rhythm and pace of motion at critical transition points, reducing potential hazards.
With that in mind, a roof ladder safety system should include the following:
Full, continuous integration with the ladder's frame or side rails
Zero play at the connection between the ladder and the roof's guardrails
A parallel set of guardrails leading workers further into the rooftop's interior
A safety swing gate at the end, to control access to the flat roof work site.
Like any modern roof fall protection system, it's no longer necessary to drill or otherwise penetrate the roof. Non-penetrating designs maintain the same OSHA force ratings as their traditional counterparts but using load-dispersing base plates instead of anchor bolts (or counterweights, which can easily become trip hazards).
By protecting the surface, your roof/ladder safety system will protect the work site and uphold the terms of the roof material's warranty. A non-penetrating ladder safety system is also movable, adapting to workflows as accessibility needs change.
Ladder Safety Equipment for the Widest Range of Settings
Whether on a roof or any other elevated surface, working at height necessarily involves climbing up or down. While ladders are the shortest means of connecting two levels, they carry a disproportionate amount of risk, accounting for a large percentage of workplace falls.
Compared to most other fall safety challenges, maintaining ladder fall protection involves a much higher number of overlapping concerns. By drawing on the most comprehensive range of fall protection technology on the market, safety managers can optimize ladder safety in the widest possible range of conditions.
To learn more about ladder safety systems, ladder security cover options, roof egress/ingress guardrails, and other roof fall protection system considerations, contact BlueWater today.
