OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewStairways and LaddersMedium
An inspection reveals that a portable ladder on a construction site has a cracked side rail. According to OSHA, what is the immediate action that must be taken regarding this ladder?
- ATag it 'Defective' and remove it from service.
- BRepair the crack with strong tape and return it to service.
- CRotate it to a less critical area of the job site.
- DUse it only for light-duty tasks until a replacement arrives.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Tag it 'Defective' and remove it from service.
OSHA requires that any ladder found to be defective must be immediately tagged 'Defective' or 'Do Not Use' and removed from service. Attempting to repair a structural defect like a cracked side rail on-site is not permitted, nor is continued use.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Taping a cracked side rail is not a safe or permissible repair and does not restore the ladder's structural integrity.
- C. A defective ladder poses a danger regardless of its location on the job site and must be removed from service entirely.
- D. Using a defective ladder for any task, regardless of duty, is a violation of safety regulations and highly dangerous.
Defective Ladder Protocol
Any ladder found to be defective must be immediately tagged 'Defective' or 'Do Not Use' and removed from service.
- Applies to all types of ladders.
- Immediate action required.
- Prevents further use and potential accidents.
Memory trick: Defect detected? Discard, don't neglect it!