Toolbox Talk: Ladder Safety

Before you start

Bring a stepladder and an extension ladder if you can, and show the labels and duty rating.

Read this to your crew

Falls from ladders are among the most common serious injuries at work, and many happen from just a few feet up. Most come down to using the wrong ladder, setting it up badly or overreaching.

Today we will cover how to pick the right ladder, check it, set it up and climb it safely.

Key points

Pick the right ladder. Check the duty rating covers you plus your tools and materials. Use non-conductive fiberglass near electricity.
Inspect before every use. Look for cracked rails, missing feet, loose rungs and damaged locks. Tag out a damaged ladder and take it out of service.
Set it up right. For extension ladders, use the 4-to-1 rule: one foot out for every four feet up. Extend it at least 3 feet above the landing and secure it.
Keep three points of contact. Two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand, at all times. Carry tools on a belt or hoist them up.
Do not overreach. Keep your belt buckle between the rails. Never stand on the top cap or top step of a stepladder. Move the ladder instead.

Ask the crew

When did you last see a ladder used for something it should not be?
How do we tag out a damaged ladder here?
What jobs today will need a ladder, and which one is right?

Picture this

A worker needs to reach one last fixture and leans out instead of climbing down to move the ladder. The ladder shifts and he falls six feet onto concrete. Moving the ladder would have taken thirty seconds.

Print this page to use the sign-in sheet, or skip the paper and record attendance digitally in SafetyIQ.

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Signature

Talk leader: ______________ Date: ______________ Site: ______________