The TopTen OSHA Violations Before Christmas. On the Fifth Day

Santa received a notice of violation(1926.1053) Ladders which is #6 on OSHA’s TopTen violations for 2019. (Due to 39% increase in violations over last year now #3. Don’t kid yourself, ladders can kill).

It’s looking more hopeful at the Northpole lately as Santa’s team is getting all the elves caught up on much-needed training, certifications, and important upgrades of equipment to correct the first four OSHA violations.  Today we work with ladders.  What?  Ladders?  Seriously? How dangerous can a ladder be?  It’s dangerous enough to become sixth on  OSHA’s TopTen list for killing 150 workers a year and injuring another 20,000.  That’s just job-related injuries now add those weekend warriors jamming the ERs.

Maybe because a ladder looks so easy and innocent to use or maybe we learned how to use a ladder incorrectly from our Dads, maybe why so many wind up visiting the E.R.  Here again, training is the most critical part of safety and learning how to properly use a ladder is a skill you’ll use pretty much the rest of your life.  Remember as with any training given, always document by having workers sign in and attach copies of the material covered.

1. Ladder missing rungs, cracked or broken rungs, broken side rails, or broken spreaders should never be used and immediately tossed into the trash.
2. Set up the ladder on a firm flat even surface.  Using a ladder on an incline may only hasten your fall.
3. Always open a ladder and lock the spreaders in place before using them so you have a firm base to work on.
4. Keep your hands free from holding tools, a tool bag, or a cup of coffee when using a ladder.  You need both hands to keep your balance and safely ascend/descend the ladder.
5. Don’t stand on the top cap.  It’s not a step or a place to stand on.  It also makes the ladder less stable and more possible of a fall.
6. Don’t be lazy.  Get down and move the ladder closer to what you’re working on instead of overreaching which can lead to loss of balance and a fall.
7. Always look up to see what’s above before moving your ladder and NEVER use a metal ladder when working near or around power lines.

Santa still has some work to do but all the elves seem to be responding well to the changes especially since no one wants to see the workshop shut down.  Thanks for all your help!