TOOLBOX TALK

Ladder Safety—Dos and Don’ts

Print Date: ICA News 4/22/2009

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) there are more than
164,000 emergency room-treated injuries in the U.S. relating to ladders each year. Falls
from portable ladders, including step, straight, combination and extension, are one of
the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Falls from ladders are a
Indiana Construction
Association
common occurrence in the home as well. These injuries and fatalities, like all others,
can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips.

One North Capitol Avenue Being safe with ladders starts with the selection process. Always choose the proper
Suite 1000 ladder for the job. Choose the appropriate type and size. Ladders are rated according
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 to their capacity to hold weight. You should always read the label on the ladder and
Phone (317) 472-6777 follow the weight restrictions. When choosing a ladder one must also be aware of
Fax (317) 472-6767 surrounding hazards. For example, if electrical sources are present, then a non-
conducting ladder would be the appropriate choice for the job.
100 NW Second Street
Suite 100 Below are some Dos and Don’ts of ladder safety:
Evansville, Indiana 47708
Phone (812) 477-0881 • Always set ladders on solid footing and against a solid
Fax (812) 421-5883 support.
• Always place the base of a straight ladder out away
www.inconstruction.org
from the wall or edge of the upper level about one foot
for every four feet of vertical height. Be sure the ladder is
long enough so that the side rails extend above the top
support by at least 36 inches.
• Always keep ladders away from doorways or walkways,
unless they can be protected by barriers.
• Always clean your shoes of oil, grease or mud to avoid
slipping while climbing.
• Always use caution when climbing a ladder. Always face the ladder and use
both hands. Consider using a tool belt or some other means to carry materials.
• Always tie in, block or otherwise secure the top of straight ladders to prevent
them from being displaced.
• Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand)
contact on the ladder when climbing.

• Never overreach when working on a ladder. Keep your hips within the vertical
rails.
• Never try to increase the height of a ladder by standing it on other objects,
such as boxes or barrels, or by splicing two ladders together.
• Never attempt to move a ladder while you or anyone else is on it.
• Never run hoses, extension cords or ropes on or through a ladder. It will create
an obstruction.
• Never use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step/rung unless it was designed
for that purpose.
• Never use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step ladder) as a single ladder or in a
partially-closed position.

It is unfortunate that most ladder safety tips come from lessons learned from other’s
mishaps. We must, however, learn from the mistakes of others as well as our own to
make using a ladder a safe activity. The next time you need to use a ladder consider
these safety tips to help avoid injury. For more information and other requirements for
the use of ladders on a construction site see Subpart X of the OSHA standards.

Quality People. Quality Projects. Safety is No Accident!

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