A ladder is one tool that may be used by people at work in Ohio in a variety of industries and job environments as well as by people in varying roles. While there are many different types of ladders, there are some regulations for proper and safe use that apply to all ladders in all situations. Understanding these is important for all employees and certainly for all employers as they should make sure their teams are informed and trained on following these guidelines.
As explained by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, one of the cardinal rules of using a ladder safely is that a person should only climb the ladder when facing the ladder itself and while keeping at least one hand on the ladder at all times. Every ladder comes with a designated capacity maximum generally articulated in weight. This capacity should never be exceeded. In addition, many ladders are designed for specific uses and they should not be used for any other reason at any time ever.
Moving a ladder when a person is on it is something that should never happen. So too should a ladder with any slippery substance on it or on the floor below it be used. If placed in a location where it may be bumped, a ladder should either be secured or the area blocked off to prevent bumping.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to let Ohio workers know about some of the guidelines their employer should communicate to them about how to stay safe on the job when using a ladder.
