Ladder Safety

Ladders cause a huge number of construction injuries — and almost all are preventable.

Use them right

• Inspect before use; tag and remove damaged ladders.
• Keep three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand).
• Set extension ladders at the 4:1 angle — 1 foot out at the base for every 4 feet of height — and extend 3 feet above the landing.
• Secure the ladder and don't overreach (keep your belt buckle between the rails).
• Use the right ladder — fiberglass (non-conductive) near electricity.

Going Deeper (Intermediate)

Ladders cause huge numbers of injuries because they feel trivial. The rules (Subpart X):

• Extension ladders at 4:1 — base out 1 ft for every 4 ft of height.
• Extend 3 ft above the landing and tie off the top.
• Three points of contact, face the ladder, don't carry loads in your hands (use a hoist/tool belt).
• Don't stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder; lock the spreaders.
• Inspect for cracks/bent rails; right duty rating for the load.

Advanced / Pro-Level

The details that prevent the fall:

• Duty ratings: Type IAA (375 lb) > IA (300) > I (250) > II (225) > III (200) — rate for worker + tools + materials.
• Material matters: never use a metal/wet ladder near electrical work — use fiberglass (Class E rated).
• Setup: level footing, slip-resistant feet, secured top and bottom; in walkways, barricade or guard the door.
• The real risk is overreach — keep your belt buckle inside the rails; get down and move the ladder rather than lean. Most ladder falls are from misuse and overreach, not equipment failure.

Practice Challenge

You set an extension ladder to reach a roof edge 16 ft up. How far out should the base be, and how far above the edge should it extend? (Answer: base 4 ft out (4:1), and the ladder should extend 3 ft above the landing and be tied off at the top.)

In Practice

Set an extension ladder too vertical and it kicks out; too flat and it bows. The 4:1 rule — 1 foot out for every 4 up — keeps it stable. And keep your belt buckle between the rails.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong ladder angle (not 4:1)
• Overreaching instead of moving the ladder
• Using a metal ladder near electricity

Takeaway: Inspect, keep three points of contact, set the 4:1 angle, don't overreach, and use fiberglass near electricity.

⚠️ Educational overview — NOT official OSHA certification. Get formal training from an authorized trainer and follow current OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926) and your employer's program.