A. Employees It is each employee s responsibility to inspect ladders for defects before each use.

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1 PAGE 1 OF PURPOSE/ SCOPE This procedure describes the requirements for safe use, care, storage and inspection of ladders. 2.0 RESPONSIBILITY A. Employees It is each employee s responsibility to inspect ladders for defects before each use. NOTE If ladder defects are found, the ladder shall be tagged with a "DO NOT USE" tag and reported to the supervisor. B. Maintenance Conduct annual inspection and documentation of ladders used at the Westlake facility. 3.0 RECIPIENTS Westlake Vinyl s Intranet DEFINITIONS "Stepladder." A stepladder is a self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, having flat steps and a hinged back. Its size is designated by the overall length of the ladder measured along the front edge of the side rails. "Single ladder." A single ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder, nonadjustable in length, consisting of but one section. Its size is designated by the overall length of the side rail. "Extension ladder." An extension ladder is a non-self-supporting portable ladder adjustable in length. It consists of two or more sections traveling in guides or brackets so arranged as to permit length adjustment. Its size is designated by the sum of the lengths of the sections measured along the side rails. "Fixed ladder." A fixed ladder is a ladder permanently attached to a structure, building, or equipment. "Job-made ladder" means a ladder that is fabricated by employees, typically at the construction site, and is not commercially manufactured. Job-made ladders must meet the ANSI or OSHA requirements and be approved by the Safety Department.

2 PAGE 2 OF GENERAL A. Each department owning ladders, shall provide storage, which meets the following requirements: Ladders should be stored where they will not be exposed to excessive heat, or dampness. Storage areas should be kept free of obstructions to allow quick, safe access. Ladder storage areas will not obstruct access to equipment, valves, circuit breakers, or other controls. Storage racks should be constructed in a way that ladders are not stacked on top of each other. B. Ladders will be returned to their place of storage by the user at the end of the job. C. All ladders will meet or exceed requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and/or OSHA whichever is greater. D. The purchase of Fiberglass ladders is preferred over Aluminum and wood. 6.0 PROCEDURE A. Inspection 1. Ladders shall be inspected by the user prior to each use. 2. Ladders must be inspected for the following: Loose steps or rungs. Cracked, split, broken or bent uprights, steps, rungs or braces. Splintered uprights, steps or rungs. Ladder shoes missing, damaged, loose, worn, corroded or otherwise in such condition to be unusable. Free from sharp edges Ladder is clean of oil, grease or any other materials. Wobbly from side to side. Loose nails, screws, bolts or other metal parts. Loose, broken or missing extension locks. Deterioration of the extension rope. Any other deficiency that would make the ladder unsafe.

3 PAGE 3 OF 5 3. All ladders will be accounted for, inspected and documented at least annually by the maintenance department. This inspection will include: The inspection criteria previously noted. The ladder is numbered or otherwise identified for tracking purposes. Tie-off ropes are attached to ladders taller than 6 feet. Any warning labels are legible. 4. Ladders not passing inspections will be immediately tagged "Do Not Use" and will be turned into Maintenance for repair or disposal. 5. Ladders to be disposed of must be rendered useless by cutting into pieces and placed in dumpster. 6. No ladders will be taken home by employees. B. Ladder Use 1. All Ladders a) Load rating of ladders shall not be exceeded, see Attachment 1 or ladder labels. b) Ladders will not be positioned in front of doors that open toward the ladder, unless the doors are secured to prevent opening or guarded. c) Ladders taller than 6 feet must be tied off prior to performing any type of work from the ladder. A second man must hold the ladder in position at the bottom while it is being securely fastened at the top level. d) Ladders must extend at least three feet above exit point, when exit is to be made from the ladder onto roofs or work platforms. e) Portable ladders must not be occupied by more than one person at a time, unless specifically designed for that purpose. f) Ladders must be periodically cleaned of grease, oils, and dirt that may conceal defects or cause it to be slippery. g) Always face the ladder when ascending or descending. h) Always use both hands on ladder when ascending or descending. i) Always obtain help when positioning long ladders that could become unbalanced and fall. j) After each use, a ladder should be cleaned if necessary, inspected, and properly stored. If defects are noted, remove it from service for appropriate disposition. k) When ladders are in use, they must not be placed on top of unstable objects such as tables, boards, boxes, barrels, etc. l) Do not skip ladder rungs when going up or down. m) When working on or with electrical powered systems, metal ladders are not approved;

4 PAGE 4 OF 5 fiberglass or other non-conducting material ladders must be used. n) Ladders will not be used for other than their intended purpose. o) Only approved type stepladders will be used. p) Ladders must always be promptly stored after used. 2. Single and Extension Straight Ladders a) Ladders will be positioned so that the horizontal distance from the base to the vertical plane of the support is approximately one-fourth the ladder length between the ladder and the support. (Attachment 1) b) Ladders are not to be used in a horizontal position as runways or scaffold boards, etc. c) Ladders will have suitable feet for the type of flooring on which they will be set. Example: concrete floors require rubber-covered feet, loose soil requires pointedtype feet, etc. d) Ladders must not be positioned against a fire water sprinkler or the sprinkler water line. e) Ladders must not be positioned against or near (within reach) of unprotected electrical power lines. f) Ladders must not be modified or spliced together. g) Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top. h) Extension ladders must be erected so that the upper section side rails lay on the top side of the lower section side rails. i) Adjustment of extension ladders will be made only when standing on the floor at the base of the ladders. j) Extension ladders will not be taken apart and used as single ladders; the upper or fly section of an extension ladder must not be used as a single ladder. 3. Stepladders a) Do not use stepladders as straight ladders. b) Stepladders must never be climbed past the second step from the top. If higher access is needed, get a taller ladder. c) The back side of a stepladder will not be used to climb on or stand on unless it is specifically designed for that purpose. d) Stepladders must always be fully opened and locked in the open position while in use. 4. Fixed Ladders a) Both hands should be free of tools and/or materials when climbing or descending. b) Only one person at a time is permitted on a straight ladder section. c) The ladder cage should not be used to rest against when moving up or down the ladder. d) Electric power cords, air hoses or tag lines, welding, oxygen, acetylene lines, etc., routed inside the ladder cagewells must not present a tripping or climbing hazard to the climber.

5 PAGE 5 OF RECORDS e) Ladder rungs, side rails, and cages used for fall protection tie-offs must be able to support the load expected during a fall. f) All guardrails protecting platform work areas from ladder cagewell opening will be returned to their closed position after entry or exit from the ladder. g) If you stand on a ladder to perform work, you are required to be tied-off with a safety harness and lifeline. All inspection records will be maintained by the Maintenance department. 8.0 ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 Angle of inclination and Ladder load ratings 9.0 REFERENCES OSHA , Portable Wood Ladders OSHA , Portable Metal Ladders OSHA , Fixed Ladders OSHA 1926 Subpart X, Ladders ANSI A , Portable Wood Ladder Safety Requirements ANSI A , Portable Metal Ladder Safety Requirements ANSI A , Portable Reinforced Plastic Ladder Safety Requirements 10.0 APPROVAL Electronic approval on file