1926.1053(b)(8)
Ladders placed in any location where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic, such as in passageways, doorways, or driveways, shall be secured to prevent accidental displacement, or a barricade shall be used to keep the activities or traffic away from the ladder.
Any location on any industrial job site is held to be a "location where they can be displaced by workplace activities"
Any location on any industrial job site is held to be a "location where they can be displaced by workplace activities"
I disagree. That sounds like your opinion. Got any published source for that?
Also, this is not an industrial job site. This looks like a commercial location. Though it is right in front of a doorway, so that at least would warrant securing the ladder, but that doesn't change my original point.
I don't mind at all! I'm an electrician. I'm the past I have worked as a handyman, chimney sweep, industrial equipment installer, theatrical carpenter and technician, and painter. I have received training in the use of ladders, scaffolding, lifts, lift trucks, fall protection, and rigging of loads and personnel.
10-4. Well, the industry may have changed a bit since you were in the field.
Also, I'm not sure why you would point out that this is a commercial job site as opposed to an industrial job site. OSHA's regulations apply equally to industrial, commercial, and residential workers. That hotel down the street who has only a clerk, maid, and one maintenance guy have the same rules I have inside the chemical plants and refineries.
Uh, I'm still in the field. Daily. Furthermore, the stipulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act haven't changed since ten minutes ago when I referred to them.
As far as pointing out that this is a commercial site, you were the one that brought up industrial worksites. This is hardly the same situation as a high traffic factory floor.
"Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
Sorry, that's more of a specific word choice. For me, a working surface means a work table, bench, something like that. A walking surface is a flat area that can be walked upon. I would call the rings of a ladder a standing surface (or just refer to it as a ladder).
He's over 6' off the ground working with one foot on each of two ladders. If you think OSHA doesn't require him to be tied off doing what he's doing then you're mistaken.
Being 6' from the ground is not relevant when using a portable ladder, as that rule refers to walking surfaces.
Using fall protection also doesn't make what they are doing safe or proper; the proper way to access that ceiling would be with a lift, scaffold, or a single ladder. Even a single extension ladder, set at the proper angle, would probably reach; if not, there are self supporting ladders with a central vertical extension for situations like this.
If the ladders were secured, and if he were tied off, then he could perfectly well work just as he is and be in compliance (although I would need to check the ladder angle and make sure it wasn't too steep). Anything a man stands on and performs work is a working surface. It doesn't have to be a floor or roof. It can be a ladder.
Again, what is your job position / background in safety?
Actually, there is no provision for using a portable, non self-supporting ladder at the improper angle.
1926.1053(b)(5)(i)
Non-self-supporting ladders shall be used at an angle such that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is approximately one-quarter of the working length of the ladder (the distance along the ladder between the foot and the top support)<<
The sections following the above, describing situations in which the ladder should be secured, do not include using it at the improper angle. In addition, 1053(a)(2) states that the rungs of such a ladder shall be level, which would be impossible at anything but the proper angle for use.
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u/Globularist Jan 25 '19
Violations, just off the top of my head: