Those working at construction sites are exposed to numerous threats to their safety during the course of their employment. One of the most common dangers construction sites pose is inadequate fall protection, particularly when ladders are involved.

Under Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) guidelines, individuals working on ladders must be provided with proper fall protection.

Such protection includes but is not limited to: ensuring that the ladder is equipped with proper rubber stoppers at the base; having one person hold the ladder while the other ascends; ensuring that an extension ladder extends at least three feet above the surface against it is placed against; and ensuring that the locks of an A-Frame ladder are secure.

While at the construction site, the General Contractor or one of its representatives must be patrolling the area to confirm that workers are provided with a safe place to work.

In addition to fall protection, it is important that construction workers be informed of proper and safe technique to climb a ladder. Most essentially, a construction worker should never carry an object while climbing a ladder. Should objects need to be brought to a roof or other platform, it is the responsibility of the General Contractor to provide a hoist or some other mechanism to transport the necessary items.

Carrying objects up a ladder subjects the worker to a risk of harm since he or she is then unable to properly grab the rungs and ascend safely.

Safety at the job site is everyone’s priority. Although it is the responsibility of the General Contractor to train the workers at the site on safety and provide a safe place of work, it is beneficial to the worker to understand his or her rights and OSHA-approved methods. For that reason, it is essential to stay informed and continually practice safe habits at work.