Getting ready to climb a ladder? Make sure you inspect it beforehand. Why? Because falls remain a leading cause of unintentional deaths in the U.S.
Your safety and wellbeing are Argonne’s top priorities!
Top 5 ladder inspection tips:
- Check carefully for cracks, rot, splinters, broken rungs, loose joints and for bolts and hardware in poor condition.
- Check for loose or bent hinge spreaders.
- Check for broken, split or worn steps.
- Inspect closely for loose joints and bolts, faulty welds and cracks. Make sure the hooks and locks on extension ladders are in good condition. Replace worn or frayed ropes on extension ladders immediately.
- For extension ladders, also check for:
- Loose, broken, or missing extension locks
- Defective locks that do not seat properly while extended
- Worn or rotted rope
- Damaged or worn, non-slip bases
Inspect the ladder each time BEFORE you use it.
This information, courtesy of Frank Curran (HSE), is also available online as a one-page safety share. Feel free to print this info and use it to help kick off a team discussion at your next meeting with colleagues and/or staff.
All employees are encouraged to submit safety shares for inclusion in the Safety Share Library. Submission details are available on Inside Argonne.
Each month a safety share submitted by an individual will be selected to receive a Spot Award for demonstrated safety leadership. The Spot Award program offers three award levels: gold ($100), silver ($50) and bronze ($25).