How to Use Ladders when doing Work with Electrical Hazard

When workers do their activities around energized power lines, there's always a potential risk for electrical shock. When they are using a ladder, this risk is also increased, because there's a higher possibility to reach the power lines. In this article we describe the recommendations of the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) to prevent injuries and deaths when working with ladders, especially when metal ladders are in use.

There are indications for the employers, for the workers, for the general contractors and for the ladder manufacturers. All these parties, in fact, are part of the chain that need to act properly in order to avoid incidents in the workplace.

The first indication that is given to the employers is to give evidence of the presence and position of all the power lines that may be close to the working area. Since the activity may be done several days after site setup, the employer must make a written report with drawings for future reference.

Employers must check if there's the possibility to avoid working in proximity to powered lines, and this should take into account the extension of any ladders that will be in use. Any conductive objects must be kept at a distance of at least 10 feet from energized lines up to 50 kilovolts.

We have said that metal object must be kept at a distance from electrical powered lines; all metal ladders should be avoided when doing this kind of activities and it's up to the employer to purchase (if possible according to the kind of work) ladders made of non conductive materials.

During the activities, the workers must ensure that all their activities are doing safely, according to the instructions and training they have received. A very important step is starting the work with a clear understanding of the possible presence and position of any overhead line, that could always be powered.

When a worker gets in contact with a powered object, its dangerous for the other workers to touch or get close to him, because they may get injured as well. When moving a ladder, they don't have to be carried around in vertical position, but always lowered.

General contractors must make sure that all workers employed are properly trained on the safety procedures according to the hazard present in the workplace.

Ladder manufacturers should provide appropriate labelling in more than one language, so that workers whose primary language is not English can read and understand the safety instructions.

Following these rules, many deaths and injuries could be avoided. The NIOSH has yearly data that show that this safety risk is a big issue among workers, especially for those whose primary language is not English and may have problems in understanding the safety training and instructions they receive in the workplace.


At the end you may find more information on the different ladders for sale available in the workplace in our website; other safety tools used in the workplace to consider are the fire extinguishers for sale.