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

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 At Chermac Builders, Inc., work site located at 2215 Armacost Drive, Henderson, Nevada 89074, a ladder being used in the living room area by employees, was not secured from slipping while working on a slippery surface. The ladder was used at an angle of inclination of approximately fifty nine (59) degrees and did not maintain the proper angle of inclination as required by ANSI 14.5 - 2000. References: 1) American National Standards Institute (ANSI): ANSI 14.5 American National Standard for Ladders-Portable Reinforced Plastic-Safety Requirements. - Paragraph 5.8 Angle of inclination. The angle of inclination for single and extension ladders articulated ladders , and combination ladders when used as a single ladder, Shall be 75-1/2 degrees. The angle of inclination for articulated ladders using rungs, when used as a single or extension ladder shall be 75-1/2 degrees, but the tread portion is not required to be horizontal. For articulated or combination ladders using steps, this angle may range from 70 degrees to 75-1/2 degrees, to the extent necessary to permit the tread portion of the steps to be horizontal (level). - Paragraph 9.3.4 Footing Support. The ladder base shall be placed with a secure footing on a firm, level support surface. Ladder levelers may be used to achieve equal rail support on uneven surfaces. Devices such as shoes, spurs, spikes, combinations thereof, or similar devices of substantial design should be installed where required for slip resistance and bearing area. Where ladders with no safety shoes, spurs, spikes, or similar devices are used, a foot ladder board or similar device may be employed. Ladders shall not be used on ice, snow, or slippery surfaces unless suitable means to prevent slipping are employed. Ladders shall not be placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height. 2) Werner Fiberglass Ladder Technical Manual (Make: Werner Electro-Master Non- Conductive Fiber Glass Type: IA Model #: D6124-2) - Pitch: Portable non-self supporting ladders are to be erected at an angle of 75- 1/2 degrees from horizontal. Combination ladders are to be erected so that the top surface of the steps are parallel to the surface supporting the base section. A simple rule for setting up a non-self-supporting ladder at the proper angle is to place the base a distance from the vertical support equal to one fourth the effective working length of the ladder. The effective working length is the distance along the side rails from the bottom to the top support points. A simple procedure for setting a ladder up properly is as follows: - Footing Support: The bottom ends of the ladder must be placed with a secure footing on a firm level base. On firm but uneven ground, ladder levelers may be used. Safety shoes, spurs, spikes, or similar devices of good substantial design are installed on all Werner Co. Ladders. Ladders without safety shoes, spikes, spurs, slip resistant pads or similar devices shall not be used. Do not use ladders on ice, snow, or slippery surfaces, unless suitable means to prevent slipping are employed. Do not place ladders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height. ONE FEASIBLE MEANS OF ABATEMENT WOULD BE TO: 1. Have one employee hold the ladder to prevent it from slipping. 2. Place the ladder at a 75-1/2 degree angle and follow the requirements of ANSI 15.5 - 2000.