OSHA Ladder & Stairway

Course Objectives

Introduction to Ladder and Stairway Safety Training

Slip and Fall Injuries and Statistics

• Cost of Injuries

Terminology

• Ladders
• Stairways

Safety Regulations-OSHA

• Safety Standards-ANSI
• Safety Standards-CDC: NIOSH

Responsibilities

• Employers
• Supervisors
• Employees
• Training
• Qualified Climber

Classification of Hazards

• Slips, Trips, and Falls
• Common Causes of Injuries
• Types of Injuries
• Environmental Contributing Factors
• Human Contributing Factors
• Electricity

Types of Ladders

• Fixed Ladders
• Portable Ladders
  • Self-Supporting
  • Non-Self-Supporting
    • Straight Ladders
    • Extension Ladders
  • Special Purpose Ladders
  • Job-made Wooden Ladders

Controls

• Design and Construction
• Planning
  • Choose a Safe Location
  • Choose the Right Ladder
  • Ladder Materials
  • Ladder Duty Ratings
  • Ladder Length
• Inspection
• Ladder Set-up
• Safe Work Practices
• Storage, Maintenance, and Transportation
• Safety Equipment and Clothing

Stairways

• Stairway Hazards
• Stairway Safety Requirements
  • Fixed Stairways
  • Stair Rails
  • Handrails
  • Rise
  • Stairways Used During Construction
  • Stairway Safety Practices and Guidelines

Summary

Additional Resources

Under the provisions of the standards, employers must provide a training program for each employee using ladders and stairways. The program must enable each employee to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways and to use proper procedures to minimize these hazards.

OSHA has not specified any time frame for required retraining or recertification for Ladder and Stairway Safety. Since there is no OSHA standard dealing with this specific hazard the OSH Act general duty clause, section 5(a)(1), 29 U.S.C. 654(b)(1) defines the standard which provides that:

(a) Each employer –

(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.

A recognized hazard is a danger recognized by the employer’s industry or industry in general, by the employer, or by common sense. The general duty clause does not apply if there is an OSHA standard dealing with the hazard, unless the employer knows that the standard does not adequately address the hazard.

This online course satisfies the OSHA General Industry (29 CFR 1910) and Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926) training requirements for Ladder and Stairway Safety. ANSI and CDC: NIOSH Safety Standards are also covered.