Portable Ladders (Step, Platform, or Trestle Ladders)

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention/Ergonomic Guidance for Stakeholders Regarding Use of Ladders in Industrial Workplaces

Issued: February 2011
Content last reviewed: February 2012
See also: Musculoskeletal Disorders / Ergonomics

Disclaimer: This web resource has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and regulations. It is not legal advice. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations. For further information please see full disclaimer.

Section 73 of Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments) made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act prescribes the required features and use of portable ladders in the context of an industrial workplace. Non-compliance with Section 73 may create a hazard for the worker. Requirements for the instruction/training of workers, maintenance of equipment, and the use of personal, protective equipment, such as fall arrest, may also apply in specific circumstances. In addition to legal requirements relating to the features and use of ladders, workplace parties should also consider safe practices, such as: the correct choice of ladder in specific circumstances, how to set it up, its weight capacity, and environmental conditions in which the ladder is being used in the workplace.

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention/ergonomic safe practices should be considered while:

Climbing/Descending

Use both hands to climb/descend, and maintain three-point contact (two hands and one foot OR two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder)
Face the ladder

Receiving/Placing/Removing Objects

Range of movement

Keep hands above knee level when reaching downwards to grasp objects
Keep belt buckle (i.e., navel) within centre of ladder when reaching sideways (belt buckle stays within outer edges of side rails)
Avoid leaning backward while moving objects (i.e., when size of object interferes with its movement across the ladder)
Avoid rising up on toes when reaching above to place object

Standing posture

Stand no higher than the top step indicated by the manufacturer
Keep both feet on the ladder

Characteristics of object

Lift object with one hand: (less than 9 kg, male; 6 kg, female)
Lift object with two hands:

	Male lifting object lighter than:	Female lifting object lighter than:
Below shoulder height	14 kg	8 kg
Above shoulder height	12 kg	7 kg

Working

Be readily able to achieve three-point contact (two feet & one hand in contact with the ladder)
Keep belt buckle (i.e., navel) within centre of ladder when reaching sideways (belt buckle stays within outer edges of side rails)
Stand no higher than the step indicated on manufacturer’s label
Avoid forceful or jerky pushing/pulling movements where there is the potential for an unexpected reaction

For further information on ladder safety, contact your health and safety association www.healthandsafetyontario.ca.

ISBN: 978-1-4435-5982-9 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-4435-5983-6 (HTML)