Scaffold or Ladder Work

Morning Safety Huddle Topics

(Note: you must be 18 or older to work in an elevated location that is more than 6 feet above the next lower horizontal surface)

Scaffolds will be inspected by a `competent person' prior to beginning the day's work using the scaffold.  A `competent person' for the purpose of this requirement shall be the HFHSL Construction Staff, the House Leader or their designate.

Scaffolding will be modified only at the direction of the competent person.  The competent person shall inspect a modified scaffold before it is again used for the elevated work.

Use the minimum number of walk boards specified for the job by the HFHSL Construction Staff on the working surface of the scaffold.

The transition of walk boards from one level to another often includes standing on a surface comprised of fewer walk boards than optimum.  Assure that there are enough people lifting the walk boards from one level to the next so that no one person is dealing with heavy or awkward loads while standing on a less than ideal work surface.

Materials shall be located on the scaffold so as to be convenient to the employees or volunteers working from the scaffold.

Ladders or other devices used to mount or dismount the scaffold will be firmly attached to the scaffold.

Ladders shall be placed on firm footing.  The preferred method of leveling a ladder is to dig out the soil under the leg in contact with the grade with a claw hammer or similar tool so that both legs are resting on a stable bearing surface.

Ladders shall be placed at the proper angle (4 vertical to 1 horizontal) against a vertical surface.

Ladders will be held in position by a worker while another worker is mounting or dismounting the ladder.

While a worker is on a ladder the person monitoring the ladder(s) will be in position to observe the work which is taking place from the ladder(s).  Specifically if the worker using the ladder is leaning or reaching to a point where both shoulders are outside the vertical plane of one of the upright sections, the observer will recommend moving the ladder to a location that will not require leaning. 

Ladders used to climb onto a roof shall extend at least three feet above the edge of the roof.

Extension ladder sections should overlap at least three feet.

Ladders used to climb onto a roof which are intended to be used at the same position throughout the day will be tied off in a stable fashion to the roof, wall or trusses.

Ladders used to climb onto a roof will be placed at least six feet from the gable end of the roof.

Workers shall not place their feet on the top three rungs or treads of a ladder.

The long extension ladders are very awkward to move with one person. Moving these ladders will generally require two people.  The preferred method of raising or lowering a long ladder is for one worker to `foot' the ladder while two others walk the verticals up or down.  See the House Leader for details.

HFHSL generally does not use job-made ladders.  If a job-made ladder is required for a special application it will be constructed using ANSI A14.4-1992 as a guide.  A copy of this document is available in the construction office trailer.

The area within 6' of the perimeter of the structure should be kept clear of movable objects that would increase the severity of an injury resulting from a fall.

Rev. #4 10/06
Fall Protection Plan Attachment 1

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