Ladder Inspections and Safety

There are a reported 136,118 ladder-related injuries in the United States annually! During 2008, work-related falls from ladders resulted in approximately 119 fatalities and an estimated 17,540 serious injuries.

Not all these incidents are due to defective ladders however that can certainly be one of the factors. It is important that ladders are inspected regularly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires it in several instances:

OSHA 1910.25(d)(1)(x) - Ladders shall be inspected frequently and those which have developed defects shall be withdrawn from service for repair or destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use".

OSHA 1910.26(c)(2)(vi) - Ladders are to be inspected:

(c)(2)(vi)(a) If ladders tip over or
(c)(2)(vi)(d) If ladders are exposed to oil and grease

OSHA 1910.27(f) - Fixed Ladders - All ladders shall be maintained in a safe condition. All ladders shall be inspected regularly, with the intervals between inspections being determined by use and exposure.

These required frequent inspections must be documented. Perhaps the easiest way is to have stickers or tags directly on the ladder itself and to have a ladder log to ensure they are all inspected as required.

Unfortunately frequently is a very subjective word. Truly each ladder must be evaluated on its use and exposure to damaging influences. You will want to inspect a ladder utilized daily that is in a high exposure area much more often than the office step stool used every now and then.

There are also rules for use of all ladders:

• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards.
• Do not load ladders beyond their maximum intended load nor beyond their manufacturer's rated capacity.
• Use ladders only for their designed purpose.
• Do not use ladders on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement. Do not use slip-resistant feet as a substitute for exercising care when placing, lashing, or holding a ladder upon slippery surfaces.
• Secure ladders placed in areas such as passageways, doorways, or driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activities or traffic to prevent accidental movement. Or use a barricade to keep traffic or activity away from the ladder.
• Keep areas clear around the top and bottom of ladders.
• Do not move, shift, or extend ladders while in use.
• Use ladders equipped with non-conductive side rails if the worker or ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Face the ladder when moving up or down.
• Use at least one hand to grasp the ladder when climbing.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance and falling.

Although ladders are part of our everyday life at both work and home, it is important we do not take them for granted. Ensure you inspect and utilize ladders appropriately.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Qualities of a Team Player - COLLABORATIVE

We are continuing to learn and grow in 2014 by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #2: Collaborative - working together precedes winning together.

"All your strength is in union, all your danger is in discord." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Cooperation is working together. Collaboration is working together aggressively. Collaborative teammates do more than just work with one another. Each person brings something to the table that adds value to the relationship and synergy to the team. The sum of truly collaborative teamwork is always greater than its parts.

Becoming a collaborative team player requires a change in focus in four areas:

1. Perception: see teammates as collaborators, not competitors
   1. Usually when you collaborate with others, you win, they win, and the team wins.
2. Attitude: be supportive, not suspicious, of teammates
   1. To collaborative team members, completing one another is more important that competing with one another.
   2. It's a matter of attitude...If you trust people, you will treat them better. And if you treat them better, you and they will be more likely to create collaborative relationships.
3. Focus: concentrate on the team, not yourself
   1. As a person on a team, you will usually ask one of two questions when anything happens: "What's in it for me?" or "What does this do for the team?" Where you focus your attention says a lot about whether you compete with others or complete them.
   2. "True progress in any field is a relay race and not a single event." - Cavett Roberts
4. Results: create victories through multiplication
   1. Collaboration has a multiplying effect on everything you do because it releases and harnesses not only your skills but also those of everyone on the team.

To become a collaborative team player:

• Think WIN-WIN-WIN.
• Complement others.
• Take yourself out of the picture.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc