L DDER S FETY

Objectives
• To train personnel in safe ladder usage
and prevent injuries.
• Comply HSE Manual:
– Section 4 Subsection 5.3
[General Safe Work Practices]
– Section 4 Subsection 5.7
[Fall Protection]
– Section 4 Subsection 5.12
[Electrical Safety]
 HSE Policy
Section 4 Subsection 5.3 [General Safe Work Practices]
4.8 Portable Ladders and Steps
Prior to using portable ladders or steps Company personnel will be trained in their
correct use and the procedures to be followed in order to identify and control the
hazards associated with their use.

Section 4 Subsection 5.7 [Fall Protection]

4.1 Training
All employees will be trained to recognise the hazards of falling and the
procedures to be followed in order to minimize the risk of falling.

Section 4 Subsection 5.12 [Electrical Safety]

4.2 Tools and Portable Apparatus
Ladders and steps when used for working on electrical equipment will be
constructed from non-conductive materials.
 L DDER S FETY
What is a Ladder?
A ladder is possibly man’s oldest and universally used
tool for the purpose of gaining access to another level in
the vertical plane.
There are different types and designs of ladders, or
steps, for different purposes, from the simple household
kitchen steps to the large heavy duty professional and
trade models. This Presentation will deal mainly with
portable Steps and Single or Extension “Pole” Ladders.
We will touch on Fixed Structural Ladders but this is
covered in more detail in FALL PROTECTION training.
 L DDER S FETY
Why do we have to LEARN
how to use a ladder?

FACT: The US National Safety Council estimate that

over 6,000 of it’s citizens die from falls in and around
the home each year, including falls from ladders. Also,
more than 30,000 citizens are injured each year by falls
involving ladders. Most of these accidents occur
because the victims violate the basic rules of LADDER
SAFETY!
 L DDER S FETY
2 Recent Offshore “Ladder” Incidents

IADC ALERT 99-16

WHAT HAPPENED:
A Fiberglass A-Frame (Step) ladder split halfway up the ridge of the leg
rail, causing a worker on the ladder to fall to the rig floor. The employee
injured his wrist.
WHAT CAUSED IT:
It appeared to be a lighter shade than the other ladders on location,
suggesting that it had been left out in the sun. When the ladder was
standing alone, without weight on it, the split was extremely hard to see.
Other ladders were inspected and some were found to have short splits
in [various places].
 L DDER S FETY
2 Recent Offshore “Ladder” Incidents

IADC ALERT 01-19

WHAT HAPPENED:
A fatality occurred when an employee fell from a derrick ladder
while descending from the 86-foot level to the 74-foot level after
changing a fluorescent light bulb. The employee had reached the
last two rungs of the vertical ladder of the vertical ladder at the 74-
foot platform level when he fell backwards. He passed through the
space between the bottom of the safety cage (back scratcher) and
the top of the handrail and fell to the pipe deck.
 DO’s and DO NOT’s
DO DO NOT
• Inspect the ladder before use. • Use ladders that have loose
ALL LADDERS SHOULD BE rungs, cracked or split Stiles,
TAGGED missing foot pads or other signs
• Allow only ONE person on the of damage.
ladder at a time. • Use Wooden or Aluminium
• Face the ladder when climbing up ladders on TSF installations.
or down it. • Paint ladders.
• Maintain a 3-point contact on the • Store ladders suspended by the
ladder at all times when climbing Stile - the rungs may loosen.
up or down it. • Store ladders exposed to the
• When performing work from a weather.
ladder, face the ladder and do not • Stand on the top 2 rungs of a
lean backward or sideways from ladder.
the ladder.
 DO’s and DO NOT’s
DO DO NOT
• Keep ladder rungs clean and free • Place ladders in a passageway or
of grease. doorway without posting warning
• When using a Pole ladder, extend signs or cones that detour traffic
the top of the ladder at least 3 feet away from the ladder.
above the edge of the landing. • Place a ladder at a blind corner or
• Secure a Pole ladder at the head doorway without diverting traffic
whilst someone “foots” the by blocking or barierring off the
bottom of the ladder. area.
• Place all ladders on firm and level • Place a ladder on barrels, boxes
surface. or other unstable bases.
• Use Fall Protection when working • Try to “walk” a ladder by rocking
above 2 metres. it. Climb down and then move it.
 DO’s and DO NOT’s
DO DO NOT
• Destroy a ladder if broken or • Carry items in your hands while
damaged beyond repair. (Ensure climbing up or down a ladder.
the ladder tag is removed and the • Use a ladder as a Horizontal
maintenance records updated Platform, a ladder is designed
accordingly) with Vertical not Horizontal
• Place the ladder at the proper strength.
angle, using the 4 to 1 rule: the • Use a ladder in high winds.
base should be placed one foot • Use a ladder on a scaffold, unless
from the vertical support for it forms part of the scaffold
every four feet of ladder height.
structure.
• Use the rungs of a ladder for a
winch point.
L DDER S FETY

• Place the ladder at

the correct angle
using a ratio of 1:4.
• Ensure the ladder is
secured by
someone holding
the ladder until tied
off at the top.
L DDER S FETY
• All portable ladders should be fitted
with an inspection tag.
• This inspection should be carried out
monthly, but does not replace
inspecting the ladder prior to use.
• The maintenance program onboard
should reflect the details of each
ladder, it’s tag details and inspection
record.
• If the tag is missing, do not use the
ladder until a full inspection has been
carried out to confirm it’s
serviceability and the ladder has been
re-tagged.