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

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1): Duties of employers. Every employer shall furnish employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his or her employees. Throughout the Three Crowns Mobile Manor workplace, an employee was exposed to fall hazards when using a damaged 12 foot fiberglass stepladder (make: Werner, model: FIA 12) in order to repair lights and replace light bulbs. The ladder had a bent rear horizontal brace and a damaged spreader lock, which exposed the employee to serious fall hazards while using the ladder. Reference: American National Standard for Ladders - Portable Ladders - Portable Reinforced Plastic - Safety Requirements [American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A14.5-2000] - 9.4.1 Inspection. A thorough ladder inspection shall be made when the ladder is originally purchased, received, and put into service. The ladder shall be inspected periodically, preferably before each use. Working parts and rung/step-to-side rail connections shall be checked. Where structural damage or other hazardous defect is found, the ladder shall be taken out of service and either discarded or repaired by a competent mechanic. - 9.4.2 Damaged Ladders. Broken or bent ladders shall be marked and taken out of service until they are repaired by a competent mechanic or destroyed in such a manner as to render them useless. The user shall not attempt to repair a defective side rail. One feasible and acceptable means of abatement method is to ensure that employees inspect ladders prior to using them, and follow all safety rules on the proper use of ladders.