Ladder Safety
General ladder use
December, 2021
All photos from Adobe Stock unless otherwise indicated
Portable ladder safety – topics covered
1. Reasons for falls from ladders
2. Ratings and labels on ladders
3. Composition of ladders
4. Safe ladder practices
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Why do people fall off ladders?
Falls from ladders are a frequent cause of serious injuries both on
and off the job. The reason are varied as follows:
standing on the top step,
getting onto or off of the ladder
improperly,
mis-stepping or slipping while
climbing or descending,
being bumped by a person or
equipment.
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More reasons why people fall off ladders
Setting up the ladder on an unstable
or slippery surface,
setting up the ladder improperly,
overreaching,
loss of balance.
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Ladder labels
Wernerco.com
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Ladder ratings and labels
Maximum
Rating load Uses
Special duty industrial use, such as CATV,
Type I-
375 lbs utilities, contractors, and higher capacity
AA
needs
Extra-heavy-duty industrial use, such as
Type I-A 300 lbs.
utilities and contractors
Heavy-duty industrial use, such as utilities
Type I 250 lbs
and contractors
Medium-duty work, such as painting,
Type II 225 lbs offices for building maintenance, and light
industrial use
Type III 200 lbs Light duty work, such as household use
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Ladder composition
Besides having different ratings or load capacities, ladders may be
constructed of various kinds of materials – usually wood, fiberglass
or metal. Each material has specific care, maintenance, and
storage requirements and may be preferred for specific uses, or
under certain conditions.
Metal extension
Wood Fiberglass Metal ladder
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Ladder composition characteristics
Strength
Durabil -to- Weather-
Property Stability Conductivity
ity weight resistance
ratio
Non-conductive
Better
Wood Less Good Not as good when clean and
(heavier)
dry
Non-conductive
Less
Fiberglass Better High Better when clean and
(lighter)
dry (preferred)
Conductive – do
ALUMINUM/ Less not use near
Better High Better
METAL (lightest) exposed electrical
sources
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Ladder inspection
Look for cracks, splits, dents, bends, corrosion, and missing hardware.
L&I photos
All of these ladders are unsafe and could fail in use.
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Mud, oil or grease
Inspect ladder rungs for any oil, grease,
Keep shoes/boots free mud or other slippery substances
of slippery substances. which could affect traction.
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Climbing or descending a ladder
When climbing a ladder, have both hands free and face the
ladder. This allows for three points of contact with the ladder at
all times and reduces the chances of falling.
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Stepladder safety
Never use the top of a stepladder.
Warning labels on stepladders clearly
state that the top step or top cap are
not to used as a step.
The higher you are on a stepladder,
the less stable it is.
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Stepladder safety
Open up step ladder legs
completely and lock the spreader
bar braces.
Make sure it is placed on a firm
level surface.
Don’t use it as a straight ladder to
climb up to a higher surface. L&I photo
Don’t place it front of a closed
door that opens towards the
ladder. Wernerco.com
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Both hands free when climbing ladder
Proper ladder climbing with tools
on belt and both hands free. L&I photo
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Extension ladder use
Extend ladder 3 feet
above upper surface
Yes! No!
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Proper extension ladder setup
For every four feet of ladder length
measured from where the ladder
contacts the top point, the base of the
ladder should be one foot away from
the supporting structure (one to four
rule).
The ladder must extend at least three
feet above the surface to provide safe
access or be rigidly secured at the top
with a grasping device if less than three
feet.
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Determining proper ladder setup angle
One way to ensure proper angle is
to stand with your feet at the base
of the ladder and extend your arms
straight out. If your hands just
touch, the ladder will be very close
to the 4 to 1 ratio.
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Safe Extension Ladder Use—Do Not:
place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or unstable bases,
use a ladder on soft ground or unstable footing,
tie two ladders together to make them longer,
ignore nearby overhead power lines,
move or shift a ladder while on the ladder,
lean out beyond the ladder’s side rails,
use an extension ladder horizontally like a platform.
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Additional information
Video - Ladder safety: ladder
Video - Safe ladder use
Publication – Ladder Safety Guide
Werner ladders safety videos
Construction ladder
safety Module
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