9: Stairs and Ladders
- Page ID
- 63107
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 9.1: Introduction
- This page discusses workplace falls, a leading cause of injuries and deaths, with OSHA reporting over 202,000 serious injuries and 345 fatalities annually. The new OSHA rule on Walking-Working Surfaces enhances protections through updated standards and improved training, allowing flexible fall protection and aligning with construction regulations.
- 9.2: Ladder Safety Requirements
- This page outlines crucial safety regulations for ladder use in the workplace to prevent injuries. It emphasizes the need for ladders to be free from hazards, properly inspected, and able to support at least four times the intended load. Guidelines cover fixed and portable ladders, including design, spacing, and stability requirements, as well as necessary safety features like slip-resistance and securing devices.
- 9.3: Other Ladder Considerations
- This page details safety regulations for defective ladders and stairways in construction, emphasizing that damaged ladders must be labeled and repaired, and that stairways must have proper installations and surfaces. It highlights guidelines for temporary stairs, secure treads, and the necessity of safety railings and handrails that meet specific criteria. Overall, following these standards is essential to ensure worker safety.
- 9.4: Training Requirements
- This page outlines the necessity of training employees to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways. Qualified trainers must educate workers on fall risks, proper fall protection procedures, safe handling practices, and understanding load capacities of ladders.
- 9.5: Ladder Safety Examples
- This page details crucial ladder safety practices, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right ladder height, securing it, and ensuring stable ground. It advocates for maintaining three points of contact, avoiding carrying items while climbing, and not standing on the top rung. Additional measures include using barriers, inspecting for defects, and adhering to maintenance guidelines. Collectively, these practices aim to reduce the risk of accidents when working at heights.
- 9.6: Summary
- This page discusses the injury risks construction workers face from ladders and stairways, highlighting OSHA's reports of 25,000 injuries and 36 fatalities each year from falls. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right ladder and inspecting for defects, as well as maintaining clear and safe stairways by addressing hazards and ensuring they have handrails when needed.
- 9.7: Review Questions
- This page presents questions on ladder safety and regulations, covering pre-use inspections, safety systems for fixed ladders taller than 24 feet, proper positioning, and the risks of using defective ladders. It emphasizes adherence to OSHA standards to promote a safe working environment while using ladders.


