Uses Stationary Access Equipment
Chapter A10 – Uses Stationary Access Equipment
Prerequisite Knowledge:
Topic 1 – Describe the Safe Use of Ladders
Ladder Types
Ladders are the most common method carpenters use to get to hard-to-reach places. There are four basic types that are used:
Step Ladders
Step ladders are made of a variety of materials such as wood, metal (aluminum), and fibreglass, with wood being not as common due to the weight and lack of durability. They are available as small as 2 feet with a maximum height of 18 feet. Fibreglass ladders are preferred over aluminum as they protect the user against electric shock. As step ladders are self-supporting, they required a level surface to be set up on and are generally used indoors only. When using a step ladder, one must not step on the top two rungs as the user is at risk of losing balance.
Single Ladders
Single ladders cannot be adjusted for height (length) and are therefore restricted in their use. They are available in lengths of 8-24 feet and must be leaned against a structure to be used.
Extension Ladders
Similar to single ladders, except extension ladders come in two pieces and can be adjusted for length. They are available in lengths between 16 and 60 feet when fully extended.
Fixed Ladders
A fixed ladder is often installed on buildings where regular access is required. They are sometimes equipped with a cage to reduce the chance of falling and rest areas where large heights are climbed.
Ladder Strengths
Ladders are available in 4 basics strengths: III, II, I, and IA, with IA being the highest strength available. Typically, type III is restricted to household and light duty use, therefore type II or greater is recommended for jobsites. A ladders strength is indicated by the maximum load it can carry, all ladders must have a safety factor of three by law, meaning it should be able to support 3 times its rated weight.
Construction Ladders
Construction ladders are built on the jobsite out of lumber. The OHS Regulations provides requirements for construction ladders, depending on its length and width, with a maximum length of 10 meters allowed. All construction ladders require support between the rungs in the form of blocking on the rails. The rails are not allowed to be notched as this weakens them.
Safe Use of Ladders
When using ladders, a number of precautions should be followed:
When setting up a single or extension ladder, a safe angle between the ladder and the building should be maintained. As a rule of thumb, we use the 4:1 ratio. For every 4 meters a ladder rises up a building, it should be 1 meter away from the building. When leading to a platform or roof, the top of the ladder is also required to extend past the platform by 1 meter.
***If a ladder is extending up an exterior wall 6 meters, how far should the base be from the wall?
***If a building is 10 meters in height, how long of a ladder is required to safely get to the top? (Use Pythagorean’s theorem)
Ladder jacks
Ladder jacks can be used in place of a light-duty scaffold. Two ladders of type I or IA must be used with brackets that attach to either the rungs or the rails. A plank is then suspended between the brackets to create a working platform.
Review Questions – 4.01.1
Use the OHS Regulations to answer the following:
- Name the four basic types of ladders
- What is the maximum height allowed for a step ladder according to OHS Regulations?
- To protect wood ladders from the weather it is best to apply
- Oil-based paint
- Latex paint
- Solid colour stain
- Clear finish
- The side rails of a construction ladder over five meters in length must be constructed of at least:
- If a building is 20’ high, how long of a ladder is required to safely climb to the roof?
