Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: UNAPEQUIP

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to falls from stepladders. a) Northeast part or the plant - On or about 9/3/98, an employee stood on the top step of a Bauer 8 ft. fiberglass stepladder and climbed onto the top of a press box that was being constructed. The employee was exposed to a fall of 8 ft. from the top step of the stepladder to the concrete floor. In accordance with American National Standard, For Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements, ANSI A14.5-1982, Section 9.3.2, Climbing and Working Locations, "The user shall not step or stand on: (1) A ladder top cap and the top step of a step or trestle ladder, or the bucket or pail shelf of a self-supporting ladder." Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to provide all employees who use a ladder with appropriate ladder training in correct ladder use. The ladder manufacturer can provide information on correct ladder use. b) Southwest part of the plant, Building rafters - On or about 9/1/98, an employee was improperly using ladders by walking on two 25 ft. long metal scaffold picks (Werner Task Master decorator plank and scaffold plank) that were laying on the rungs of three 8 ft. fiberglass stepladders. The employee was removing bolts used to attach a rafters/roof section to the Spanmaster 2 ton cranes and was exposed to a fall of approximately 5 feet to the concrete floor. In accordance with American National Standard, For Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements, ANSI A 14.5-1982, Section 9.3.9, Improper Use, "A ladder shall not be used as a brace, skid, lever, guy or gin pole, gangway, platform, scaffold plank, material hoist, or for any other uses for which it was not intended, unless such use is specifically recommended by the manufacturer." Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to provide employees with an appropriate ladder. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIREDATION