Dashpivot Article – IHSA Ladder Safety
IHSA Ladder Safety
In the diverse and often hazardous world of industrial work, ladder safety is a critical concern.
The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) in Canada offers comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safe usage of ladders in various industries, particularly where working at heights is frequent.
This article delves into these IHSA ladder safety guidelines, highlighting the essential practices and considerations that can significantly reduce workplace accidents and injuries.
Understanding the Risks and the Need for Safety
Ladders, while seemingly simple tools, account for a notable percentage of workplace injuries each year.
Misuse, poor maintenance, or incorrect ladder choice often lead to these accidents.
IHSA’s guidelines are meticulously crafted to mitigate these risks, emphasising the importance of education, proper usage, and regular maintenance.
The Right Ladder for the Right Job
A fundamental aspect of ladder safety, as highlighted by IHSA, is the selection of the appropriate ladder for the task at hand.
This choice is influenced by various factors, including the ladder's length, its duty rating (which indicates the maximum safe load), the material (especially critical when working near electrical hazards), and the type of ladder – whether a step ladder, extension ladder, or a platform ladder.
Each type serves different purposes and environments.
Are your ladders safe for work?
One of IHSA’s key safety tenets is the regular and thorough inspection of ladders.
Before each use, ladders should be examined for potential hazards like broken rungs, damaged side rails, or any signs of wear and tear that could compromise the user's safety.
Consistent maintenance plays a pivotal role in extending the life of the ladder and ensuring it remains safe for use.
Safe Usage: Practices and Procedures
The crux of IHSA’s ladder safety lies in its detailed guidelines on usage:
- Stability is Key: Always ensure the ladder is placed on a firm and level surface. For extension ladders, the proper angle and secure footing are crucial to prevent slipping.
- Load Limits: Respecting the ladder's load capacity, including the user’s weight and any carried tools or materials, is essential.
- Climbing Safely: The principle of maintaining three points of contact (two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand) with the ladder at all times reduces the risk of falls.
- Contextual Awareness: Using ladders in inclement weather, near electrical hazards, or in busy areas calls for heightened caution and additional preventive measures.
Training for Compliance and Safety
Training is a cornerstone of IHSA’s approach to ladder safety.
Workers must be trained not only in the correct selection and inspection of ladders but also in their safe and proper use.
Employers bear the responsibility for ensuring that their employees are adequately trained and that safety practices are adhered to.
This can be fostered with regular training sessions, keeping your team up to date with IHSA regulations and running regular toolbox talks on the site specific ladder safety procedures and identified hazards.
The ladder safety toolbox talk example below shows you could raise talking points to keep your team on top of IHSA guidelines to keep them safer.
Use this toolbox talk ladder safety template to create IHSA specific toolbox talks
Build IHSA compliance into your daily workflow with regular ladder safety toolbox talks
Go beyond paying lip service to IHSA guidelines to actually providing better ladder safety outcomes for your team.
A digital Ladder Safety Toolbox Talk template can make it easy for you to quickly spin up IHSA ladder safety toolbox talks rather than starting from scratch and putting in a lot of time and effort in.
The toolbox talk comes standardised with sections for your IHSA ladder safety talking points, get feedback from your team on their ladder experiences on site and any hazards or risks they've encountered in different areas of the site.
Keep IHSA ladder safety top of mind by printing off QR code posters on site that take your team directly to the toolbox talk from their phone so they're always able to access safety information whenever they need to work confidently and safely.
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