GROUND LADDERS

S.O.G. No.: 01-022

Revision: JUNE 2007

Effective Date: Feb. 1994

1. PURPOSE

1.1 In the interest of member’s health and safety, this document is established for proper and safe procedures to be followed during the use, and maintenance of ground ladders.

2. REFERENCES
   1. 2.1  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
   2. 2.2  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1931, Standard on Design of and Design Verification Test for Fire Department Ladders.
   3. 2.3  Current edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s 1932, Standard on Use Maintenance, and Service Testing of Fire Department Ground Ladders.
3. OSHA REQUIREMENTS

3.1 The department shall provide members with NFPA and/or OSHA approved ground ladders in accordance with OSHA 1910.25, and 1910.26.

4. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

4.1 NFPA and/or OSHA approved ladders. All ladders for emergency use will meet NFPA 1931, and be maintained according to NFPA 1932.

5. PROCEDURE

• 5.1  All department ground ladders will be visually inspected at least once every month and after each use, and anytime suspected damage has occurred.
• 5.2  Visual inspection will include but not limited to:
  1. 5.2.1  Heat sensor labels for change indicating heat exposure.
  2. 5.2.2  All rungs for snugness and tightness.
  3. 5.2.3  All bolts and rivets for tightness.
  4. 5.2.4  Welds for any cracks or apparent defects.
  5. 5.2.5  Beams and rungs for cracks, breaks, gouges, wavy conditions, or deformation.
  6. 5.2.6  Butt spurs for excessive wear or other defects.
• 5.3  Operational and/or visual inspection will consist of the following:
  1. 5.3.1  Roof hook assemblies
  2. 5.3.2  Pawl assemblies
  3. 5.3.3  Halyards and cables
• 5.4  All ground ladders will be inspected when initially placed in service, when returned from being repaired, after each use, and monthly.

5.4.1 Any signs of failure during inspection will be sufficient cause to remove the ground ladder from service, until corrected.

5.5 Members will clean ground ladders after each use and during the monthly inspection.

1. 5.5.1  All ground ladders will be cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush.
2. 5.5.2  Tar, oily or greasy residues will be removed by using a safety solvent.
3. 5.5.3  After the ladder has been rinsed, it will be wiped dry.

5.6.1 All inspections of ground ladders will be permanently recorded using the Ground Ladder Inspection Report form, see appendix (A).

5.6.1.1 Completed inspection reports will be placed on file at the UFD district office.

5.7 The company officer or his/her designee will be responsible for insuring the inspection and cleaning of all ground ladders assigned to the station.