Job hazard analysis: working from a ladder
Use a stepladder or extension ladder for short, light tasks such as fixture work, cable pulling, and reaching above-ceiling access.
- 5 steps
- 4 PPE items
- Editable in Reldro
The job hazard analysis
PPE required: Hard hat, Safety glasses, Non-slip safety boots, Gloves
1. Choose the right ladder
What could go wrong
A ladder that is too short or too weak, so the user over-reaches, or stands on the top steps
How we control it
Pick a ladder rated for the person and tools, and tall enough to work from below the top two steps. Don't use a metal ladder near electrical work.
2. Inspect the ladder
What could go wrong
Cracked rails, missing feet, loose rungs, damaged spreaders
How we control it
Check rails, rungs, feet, and locks. Remove a damaged ladder from service and tag it.
3. Set it up
What could go wrong
Ladder slides or tips on a slick, soft, or sloping surface; contact with an opening door or a passing person
How we control it
Use firm, level ground. Extension ladders at about 4 units up to 1 unit out. Secure the top or have a second person hold the base. Barricade doors and walkways.
4. Climb and work
What could go wrong
Loss of balance, dropped tools, over-reaching
How we control it
Face the ladder and keep three points of contact. Keep your belt buckle between the rails. Carry tools on a belt or hoist them. Move the ladder rather than stretching.
5. Move and store
What could go wrong
Strains while carrying; a ladder left in a walkway
How we control it
Carry long ladders with two people. Store flat or hung, out of walkways.
- An extension ladder should reach about 3 feet (1 m) above the landing it serves.
- Never stand on the top step or the paint shelf of a stepladder.
When to use it
Use it for any task you do from a ladder. If the job needs both hands for more than a few minutes, or heavy materials, use a platform, lift, or scaffold instead.
Review it with the crew before the work starts, change anything that doesn't match how you'll do the job, and update it when the method, the equipment, or the site changes.
Use this JHA in Reldro
- It arrives ready to edit, and your crew uses it on their phone, even without signal.
- Failed items become corrective actions with an owner and a due date.
- Every completed one is kept with the site, the date and who did it.
