LADDER SAFETY ISSUES IN ROOFING

LADDER SAFETY ISSUES IN ROOFING Part I Ladder Selection, Setup, and Climbing This material will only cover portable extension ladders and is based on Subpart X, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926.1050 through 1926.1060. Information was also obtained from ladder accidents, ladder manufacturers and other reliable sources. Each year, thousands of roofers are injured in falls involving ladders. Most of these accidents happen because the victims don t know enough about ladder safety. When you have to work with a ladder, there are a number of specific rules that you need to observe for your safety and the safety of others on the job site. Ladder safety begins with the proper selection of a ladder for the job. As a roofer, you need to know the proper procedures for setup and how to use them. You also need to know the procedures for ladder inspection, maintenance, and storage. Ladder Selection Before selecting a ladder for a roofing job site, determine whether other methods for accessing the roof are safer and more practical. For example; interior stairwells, ladder scaffolds, or fixed ladders with fall arrest systems would be more appropriate.. In addition to the inherent hazards of climbing ladders, they also are inefficient to use. The time it takes one man at a time to climb a 40 foot ladder is approximately 30 seconds. If you have a 10 man crew, that is 5 minutes for everyone to access a roof. If you have breaks, lunch and errands it is not uncommon for you to use up 30 minutes or more every day on ladders. Remember, the more exposure a roofing worker has to using ladders, the greater the probability that an employee will be involved in a ladder accident. Most experienced roofing contractors use either fiberglass or wood extension ladders. Metal ladders pose a greater electrocution hazard, are less durable and are easier to damage. A variety of ladder lengths are available. Most roofing contractors own 20 foot to 40 foot extension ladders. Several ladder types are not recommended. Ladders that exceed 40 foot in length, are telescoping or fold out are not recommended for roofing. These ladders pose additional hazards to roofing workers that are easily eliminated by not using them at all. All ladders manufactured in the USA have a duty rating that tells you its maximum weight-carrying capacity. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requires that a duty rating sticker be placed on the side of every ladder so users can determine if they have the correct type ladder for the job. There are four categories of duty ratings: Type IA Type I These ladders have a duty rating of 300 pounds. Type IA These ladders have a duty rating of 250 pounds. ladders are recommended for extra-heavy-duty industrial Type I ladders are manufactured for heavy-duty use. use. Type II Type III These ladders have a duty rating of 225 pounds. Type II These ladders have a duty rating of 200 pounds. ladders are approved for medium-duty use. 2005, MRCA/SHARP Type III ladders are rated for light-duty use. 1

Note: Type IA and Type I ladders are recommended for roofing job sites. Make sure the ladder selected for the job site is the appropriate size. The ladders must not be so short that it does not extend 3 feet above the eave, or so long that it extends 5 or more feet above the eave. Ladder Setup When setting up an extension ladder, use the following method to avoid straining muscles or losing control of the ladder. 1. With ladders weighing more than 55 lbs, or where conditions complicate the task, always have two people set up a ladder as follows: Lay the ladder on the ground close to intended location. Brace the ladder s base, using helpers'feet. Grasp the top rung with both hands, raise the top end over your head and walk toward the base of the ladder. Maintain stability by slowly raising the ladder, grasping the center of each rung. Move the erect ladder to the desired location. Lean it forward against the resting point. 2. One person can safely erect a short ladder (20 foot or less) if he is physically fit and follows the procedures below: Place the bottom of the ladder firmly against the base of a building or stationary object. Lift the top of the ladder, and pull upwards to raise the ladder to a vertical position. Transfer the ladder to its required position when it is erect. Keep the ladder upright and close to the body with a firm grip. 3. Taking down ladders is the reverse of the procedures outlined in 1 & 2 above. Remember that you will be walking backwards, so check for obstacles in your path before starting. Be careful when lowering the ladder. It is very important that you have control so that it is not dropped. Lower it slowly; always take advantage of a second man when doing so. 4. Place ladder feet firmly and evenly on the ground. Make sure the ladder is positioned straight and securely before climbing it. It is acceptable to place a substantial board or block under the ladder feet to even it out. 5. Extend an extension ladder only from the ground. Determine the needed height, extend and lock the fly section securely in place, then set it up against the wall. Check for stability and support before climbing. Allowed Heights for Undamaged Extension Ladder Setup Extension Ladder Size Maximum Working Length Height to Top Support on Wall Height to Roof Eave with 1- to 3 ft. Extension 16 13 T0 12.5 9.5-11.5 20 17 12.5-16.5 13.5-15.5 24 21 16.5-20 17-19 28 25 20-24 21-23 32 29 24-28 25-27 36 33 28-32 29-31 40 36 32-35 32-34 (From ANSI A14-2-1990) 6. Top support for a ladder is as important as good footing. The top should rest evenly against a flat, firm surface. If the ladder is to be leaned against roof gutters, the strength and stability of the gutters should first be tested. 2005, MRCA/SHARP 2

7. Permanently brace or tie back the foot of the ladder if there is a chance of slippage. When a ladder is used for access to a roof, at a minimum it must extend three rungs, or at least three feet, above the landing surface. 8. Ladders must be secured against sideways movement at the top by the use of a tie-off that is fastened securely. Never tie-off a ladder to any movable materials such as glue pails or job materials. 9. Before climbing up the ladder stand on the bottom rung with both feet and make sure the ladder is firmly set, especially when set up on disturbed soil that is found around all new construction buildings. 10. The proper angle for climbing portable extension ladders is about 75 degrees above horizontal. This means that the base should be set out one-fourth of the ladder's height to its top support point. For example, if a ladder is to be supported at a point 20 feet off the ground, its base should be set 5 feet out from the wall (20 feet divided by 4 = 5 feet). An easy way to measure this, if the ladder top will rest against the wall, is to pace off the length of the ladder or count the rungs, and divide by four to get the proper distance form the wall for placing the foot of the ladder. 11. NEVER do the following: NEVER set the ladder on any unstable base or on truck beds, pallets, dumpsters or other elevated temporary surfaces. NEVER extend an extension while on the ladder. Only extend a ladder from the ground. Determine the needed height, extend and lock the fly section securely in place, then set it up against the wall. NEVER overextend the ladder past the manufacturer s rung-height requirements. NEVER set up or use a ladder in a high wind, especially a lightweight metal ladder. Wait until the air is calm enough to ensure safety. NEVER set up a ladder in front of a door, unless the door is locked out and a warning is posted. NEVER use ladders on ice or snow unless absolutely necessary. If they must be used on ice or snow, use spike or spur-type safety shoes on the ladder feet and be sure they are gripping properly before climbing. Never place a ladder close to any operational piping (acid, chemical, sprinkler system, etc.) where damage may be done. On wet single-ply roofs make sure the ladder feet are on a pad. NEVER set up a ladder near live electrical wiring, to protect yourself from accidental contact with the wiring. Never place any ladder around energized circuits or equipment or in places where it may come in contact with such circuits. Wood and fiberglass ladders will conduct electricity when wet. NEVER set up a ladder close to any operational piping (acid, chemical, sprinkler system, etc.) where workers may be exposed. NEVER set up or take down a ladder when it is fully extended. NEVER set up a ladder at an angle steeper than 75 degrees above horizontal. The ladder will be unstable and is likely to tip backwards. Even tied-off at the top, the ladder could fall over backwards if the feet were to move (slide out) while someone was on it. Forces applied on the ladder tie-off could also cause it to fail, resulting in the ladder with a person on it to fall backwards. NEVER set up the ladder so the distance from the foot of a ladder to the wall is more than one-half the height to the support point, an angle of about 63 degrees above horizontal. Persons climbing a ladder at this angle will put excessive weight/strain on the side rails (more weight than the ladder was designed to carry) possibly causing failure. 2005, MRCA/SHARP 3

Climbing Ladders The most frequent accidents are worker falls off the ladder during climbing. Accidents occur due to improper setup of the ladder. Almost one third of falls are caused from slipping; workers not having three point contact when climbing; having more than one person on the ladder at a time. The #1 contributing factor of workers falling off ladders is lack of attention to climbing the ladder. Workers thinking about something other than climbing the ladder has repeatedly been identified as the cause in ladder accident investigations. 1. The proper method of climbing ladders rests on three easy but far to often forgotten rules: o Always have three-point contact (two hands one foot or two feet one hand). o Climb in the center of the ladder (centered between the side rails). o Always climb holding on to the rungs, never use the side rails Note: The above rules are only effective if the ladder has been set up properly. 2. Always face the ladder when ascending or descending. 3. Keep the steps and rungs of ladders free of slippery materials such as asphalt, mud, grease, oil, roof coatings, snow, ice, paper, etc. Also, clean such debris off your shoes before climbing a ladder. Have a mat to wipe your feet before climbing a ladder, especially on new construction jobs. 4. Allow only one person at a time on a ladder. 5. Climb in the center of the ladder. Avoid climbing on the side or with your arms extended out. 6. Do not overreach from a ladder, or lean too far to one side. Overreaching is a common cause of falls from ladders. A good rule is to always keep your belt buckle inside the rails of a ladder. 7. Never carry anything with you when climbing a ladder. If you must have something on the roof, raise or lower it with a rope attached to a pail, or use a backpack or other means that free the arms/hands. 8. Never slide down a ladder. 9. Never jump off the ladder at any level. 10. Never stand on the two top rungs of a straight or extension ladder. 11. Working off a ladder is not recommended, they were not designed for positioning work. 12. Never climb higher than the third rung from the top on extension ladders. 13. Never climb onto a ladder from the side, from above the top or from one ladder to another. Climb portable extension ladders using both hands and feet, to allow three-point control at all times, including access and exit. It is important to emphasize again that ladders are designed for access only and not for working. Reference: Part II of Ladder Safety Issues in Roofing for information on Proper Use of Ladders, Ladder Inspection, Ladder Maintenance, Storage and Training. 2005, MRCA/SHARP 4

Monthly Safety Quiz LADDER SAFETY ISSUES IN ROOFING Part I Name: Date: Circle the letter of the best answer to the question and fill in the blank. 1. Portable extension ladders are the best and safest way to access a roof and should always be used above other methods. 2. All ladders manufactured in the USA have a duty rating, which tells you its maximum weight carrying capacity. 3. The best ladder one can purchase for a roofing job site has a duty rating of: a. IA Rating b. I Rating c. II Rating b. III Rating 4. It is not recommended that a single worker set up a ladder that weights more than 55lbs. 5. It is acceptable to place a substantial board or block under the ladder s feet to even it out. 6. The maximum height a 40-foot ladder can properly be set up to a roof eave is: a. 40 feet b. 38 feet c. 36 feet d. 34 feet 7. If the ladder is too short to reach three feet above the roof eave it is okay to use it. 8. The proper angle for climbing portable extension ladders is about 75 degrees above horizontal, or about: a. 1/4 the ladder height to its top support point b. 1/2 the ladder height to its top support point c. 3/8 the distance from the wall d. 100% the distance from the wall 9. Approximately 30% of all falls are due to slips off the ladder and many are due to the employee not paying attention to the job of climbing the ladder. 10. Three point contact means that only one hand or foot is off the ladder rungs at all times when climbing it. 2005, MRCA/SHARP 5

February 2005 Safety Quiz LADDER SAFETY ISSUES IN ROOFING - Part I Answers: 1. b. False 2. a. True 3. a. IA rating 4. a. True 5. a. True 6. d. 34 feet - don t forget that the ladder must extend a minimum of 3 above the eve 7. b. False - never use a ladder that is not at a minimum 3 above the eave. 8. a. 1/4 the ladder height to its top support point 9. a. True 10. a. True REFERENCES 1. Subpart X, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926.1050 through 1926.1060 2. American National Standards A10-14 - 1990 3. Step-By-Step, Louisville Ladder Corporation Safety Training Program - 1994 2005, MRCA/SHARP 6