Everyday tools that reach inaccessible areas, ladders come with certain risks. In the U.S., approximately 500,000 people suffer injuries annually from ladder accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As we begin National Ladder Safety Month, education and preventive measures go a long way to avoid catastrophe.
Key Considerations
Fiberglass, wood, or metal ladders vary in stability and conductive properties. When near an electrical hazard, follow the ladder’s warning label or safety manual. Before climbing, read the ladder’s duty rating strength and carrying capacity—determined by personal protective equipment (PPE), clothing, tools, and body weight.
Inspect the ladder to secure hardware and fittings, ensure moveable parts operate smoothly, and spot damage or missing pieces. Oil, grease, or other residue should not be on the rungs. Use the correct ladder based on the job site, such as a straight ladder to climb a wall or certain step ladders to hold tools.
Ladder Use
Apply the four-to-one rule to create a safe angle for ladder placement. For every four feet that the ladder’s top reaches, extend its bottom one foot from the structure. For example, a ladder reaching 20 feet should extend five feet from the base.
Avoid use during high winds or when tired, dizzy, or imbalanced. Use non-slip footwear and maintain three points of contact (one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot) when climbing. For stability, stay between the side rails and do not overreach, overstep, or climb the top rungs.