Monday 13 July 2015

Ladder Safety According to OSHA


 

There are many safety guidelines that need to be followed when cleaning windows. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has provided requirements for three different types of ladders.

1. Portable Wood Ladders

All wood parts of the ladder should be free of sharp edges, splinters, decay, or any other irregularities. The ladder should not shake or wane, and ladders should not be constructed from low-density wood.

2. Portable Metal Ladders

This type of ladder should have no structural defects or hazards such as burrs or sharp objects that would cause accidents. The metal should meet test requirements for strength and should be protected against corrosion. The rungs or steps spacing should be 12 inches. The rungs and steps should be knurled, dimpled, corrugated, and coated with material that is skid resistant. This minimizes the possibility of slipping. The minimum width of a straight ladder or section of an extension ladder is 12 inches. Single ladders or individual sections of ladders should not exceed 30 feet in length.

3. Fixed Ladders

OSHA requires that the minimum design live load should be a single concentrated load of 200 pounds. The number of additional concentrated live load units of 200 pounds should be anticipated according to the usage of the ladder. The distance between rungs and steps should not be more than 12 inches. The minimum length of rungs or cleats cannot exceed 16 inches. To hire commercial window washers in San Diego, visit this website.

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