Ladder Safety

The Fall Protection Program applies to University employees who may be exposed to fall hazards during the course of their work and to employees who use fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and lanyards. Fall hazards include working at elevations four feet or higher, such as on unprotected roofs or platforms, and when using aerial, boom, or scissor lifts. This program provides general fall protection requirements; however, detailed training and safe work practices for ladders, scaffolds, and aerial lifts are addressed in separate EHS programs. Employees and supervisors should contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for guidance related to this equipment.

The Fall Protection Program establishes responsibilities for supervisors and employees to reduce the risk of fall‑related injuries through hazard identification, training, inspections, and documentation.

• Supervisor Responsibilities
  Supervisors must understand fall protection requirements as they relate to their areas of responsibility, identify fall hazards encountered by employees, implement appropriate control measures, ensure required training is completed, and enforce compliance with all aspects of the program.
• Employee Responsibilities
  Employees must follow all Fall Protection Program requirements, including attending required training, conducting pre‑use inspections of fall protection equipment, and promptly reporting fall protection concerns to their supervisor.
• Training Requirements
  Employees who use fall protection devices must receive fall protection training before performing work at elevated locations. Training must be delivered by trainers approved by EHS. Retraining is required when workplace changes make previous training obsolete, when new fall protection systems or equipment are introduced, or when an employee demonstrates insufficient knowledge or improper use of fall protection equipment.
• Inspection Requirements
  Employees must complete pre‑use inspections of fall protection equipment before each use. In addition, annual inspections of all fall protection equipment must be completed by a person trained to conduct such inspections.
• Recordkeeping Requirements
  Work units must maintain records of fall protection training and annual equipment inspections.

Program:

• Ladder Safety Program

Procedures:

• Student (Unpaid) Ladder Safety Awareness (Appendix D)
• Step Stool Safety Awareness (Appendix E) 

Forms:

• Ladder Safety Training Certification Form (Appendix A)
• Annual Portable Ladder Inspection Checklist (Appendix B) 

Access the documents on SharePoint

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart D – Walking‑Working Surfaces
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart F – Powered Platforms, Manlifts, and Vehicle‑Mounted Work Platforms
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M – Fall Protection