Stepladder safety at work

Whether you’re decorating a co-worker’s office to celebrate a birthday, stringing lights during the holidays or changing a lightbulb, stepladders are handy tools to have on hand at work. But just because stepladders seem simple to use doesn’t mean they’re risk-free. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety has the following advice for workers using a stepladder:

• Check the stepladder’s load rating to ensure it can support your weight and any tools you will be using while standing on it.
• Never use a stepladder that is cracked or corroded or that has loose rivets, defective braces or parts. Additionally, make sure the stepladder doesn’t have a slippery substance on it, such as oil or grease.
• Fully open the stepladder’s spreaders and shelf and lock its braces. The stepladder should be stable and the feet should be on a firm, even surface.
• Keep the stepladder close to the task at hand to avoid overreaching.
• If your knees are above the top of the stepladder, you’ve climbed too high.

Don’t do it

A fall from a stepladder can result in serious injuries, so workers should be aware of some bad practices to avoid. According to CCOHS, don’t:

• Attempt to “walk” a stepladder while standing on it
• Stand, climb or sit on the top of a stepladder
• Have more than one person on a stepladder at a time
• Place a stepladder on a wet or otherwise slippery surface
• Climb up or down in a sideways position
• Climb the back of a stepladder