Ladder Safety

Category: Fall Protection Time: 5–10 min Audience: All Workers

The hazard

Most ladder injuries happen from three mistakes: improper setup angle, standing on the top rungs, and carrying loads that compromise grip. All three are preventable.

Setup rules

Extension ladders: set at a 4:1 angle — one foot out for every four feet up. The ladder must extend at least three feet above the landing surface. Secure the base and top whenever possible.

Three-point contact

Always maintain three points of contact — two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. Never carry tools or materials in your hands while climbing. Use a tool belt or hoist materials separately.

What's not allowed

Never stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder. Never lean out past your belt buckle. Never use a ladder with cracked rungs, missing feet, or damaged hardware — tag it out of service.

Discussion question

Where are the ladders we use stored, and what's our process for taking a damaged ladder out of service?

Documentation Reminder

Record this meeting: date, topic ("Ladder Safety"), names of attendees, and facilitator. A sign-in sheet filed with your safety records is your proof of training. OSHA considers documented safety meetings as evidence of good faith.