OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
September 27, 1996
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| FROM: |
GREGORY J. BAXTER
Acting Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Hazard Information Bulletin(1): Certain
Keller/Columbia Types I and IA Industrial Fiberglass
Extension Ladders |
________
FOOTNOTE(1) The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard Information
Bulletins (HIB) in accordance with OSHA Instruciton CPL 2.65 to provide
relevant information regarding unrecognized or misunderstood heatlh hazards,
inadequacies of materials, devices, techniques, and safety engineering
controls. HIBs are intitated based on information provided by the field
staff, studies, reports and concerns expressed by safety and health
professionals, employers, and the public. Bulletins are developed based on a
through evaluation of available facts and in coordination with appropriate
parties.
Pursuant to a fatality investigation, the Boston Regional Office has brought
to our attention a potential hazard of collapse of certain fiberglass
extension ladders. The ladder in question is a Keller Model #5128, 28 ft
fiberglass extension ladder with a type IA, 300 pound rating. It is one of
11 models sold under the trade names of Keller or Columbia, all of which may
incorporate this particular characteristic. The manufacturer, Keller
Industries, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in cooperation with the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has recalled all of these ladders
with the CPSC Press Release # 96-095 issued on April 10, 1996. Since these
are industrial extension ladders, it is important to make employers aware of
this potentially hazardous condition.
On the ladder involved in the accident, a brace is utilized on each siderail
and attached to the second rung at the top and bottom of the base section for
additional support. The brace on the ladder can interfere with the operation
of the rung locks on only one rung, the rung below the point of full
extension (second rung from the top). The braces on other models may be
installed on different rungs of the base section. Thus, under certain
circumstances, when setting up the ladder, the rung locks may appear to be
properly engaged when in fact, they are not. The ladder may collapse when
sufficient weight is placed on it possibly causing the user to fall.
Employers must comply with the manufacturer's recall instructions and stop
using the ladders immediately. Keller is offering a replacement ladder,
refund of the purchase price or rung lock replacement. Keller is recalling
29,691 of these Types I and IA (heavy duty) industrial ladders.
The following ladders are the subject of this recall:
|
| Trade Name |
Model No. |
Length |
Color |
Type |
Dates Manufactured |
Number Sold |
|
Keller
Keller
Keller
Keller
Keller
Keller
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia
Columbia |
5016
5028
5128
5132
5136
5140
FE4128
EF1028
EF1032
EF1036
EF1040 |
16ft.
28ft.
28ft.
32ft.
36ft.
40ft.
28ft.
28ft.
32ft.
36ft.
40ft. |
Yellow
Yellow
Orange
Orange
Orange
Orange
Yellow
Orange
Orange
Orange
Orange |
I
I
IA
IA
IA
IA
I
IA
IA
IA
IA |
3/1/93-12/31/94
3/1/93-12/31/95
7/1/90-12/31/95
7/1/90-5/31/94
3/1/91-12/31/95
3/1/91-12/31/95
3/1/93-12/31/95
7/1/90-12/31/95
7/1/90-5/31/94
3/1/91-12/31/95
3/1/91-12/31/95 |
635
1,533
19,283
5,353
221
367
40
1,103
677
151
328 |
|
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices, State Plan States,
Consultaion Project Offices, and appropriate labor and industry groups.
|
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