Ascending Safely
Why choosing stairs over ladders is the smarter choice for rooftop safety.
As 2024 unfolds, it’s an ideal time for businesses to reassess and innovate in workplace safety. A case in point is a leading national manufacturer that recently contacted my company for help with a significant safety overhaul. They’re transitioning from ladders to stairs for rooftop access across all their facilities, signaling a major shift in industrial safety practices.
This initiative is more than an upgrade; it’s part of a broader movement that’s gaining momentum in the industry, setting new benchmarks for safety and efficiency. Let’s investigate the key challenges of using ladders and help you make an informed decision for your facility.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set forth specific guidelines and standards for ladder use in the workplace. These guidelines include proper ladder selection, inspection before use, correct positioning, and safe climbing practices. Despite these precautions, the inherent risks associated with ladder use remain high. OSHA’s statistics show that falls from ladders comprise nearly a third of all fall-related deaths in construction (OSHA Publication). This alarming figure underscores the need for safer alternatives, such as stairs, in industrial settings.
Ladders: The Challenge of Maintaining Three Points of Contact
One of the fundamental safety rules when using ladders is to maintain three points of contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) at all times. This practice is crucial for stability and balance, reducing the risk of falls. However, in an industrial setting, where workers often need to ascend with tools or materials, following this rule becomes challenging. Ladders demand a balancing act, asking of workers to ascend to dizzying heights with only one hand free for support.
This high-wire act can be both strenuous and hazardous, adding extra risk to work environments that are already teeming with potential hazards. Carrying items up a ladder often means compromising on this safety principle, as one hand is typically used to hold the item, leaving only one hand and two feet for support. This not only increases the risk of losing balance but also makes the climb up more strenuous and hazardous. In contrast, stairs allow workers to use handrails for support and balance, even when carrying tools or materials, thereby adhering more effectively to safety protocols and reducing the risk of accidents.
This article originally appeared in the February/March 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.