Gravity Will Always Win… Against a Ladder

Let’s be honest, very few of us consciously think about gravity playing a role in construction work, yet the reality is that gravity never forgets to bring you back to earth. As soon as you set foot on the ladder’s first rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity works to bring you back to earth. Therefore, it should be no surprise that ladder safety begins from the ground up.
Start with a Good Foundation
  • Proper ladder setup will help prevent slips and falls. Place the base on a firm, solid surface. Avoid slippery,wet or soft surfaces. If you must put the ladder on a soft surface, place a board under the ladder’s feet to provide firm footing. Make sure the top of the ladder has firm support as well.
  • Never lean a ladder against a window pane or other unstable surface. If you’re using a straight or extension ladder, the angle of the ladder is the next critical safety factor. A straight or extension ladder should be placed 1′ away from the surface it rests against for every 4′ of ladder height. For example, if the ladder is 4′ high, the bottom of the ladder should be 1′ away from the support surface.
  • If you use a ladder to access a roof or platform, make sure the ladder extends at least 3′ over the roof or platform edge. Be sure to securely fasten straight and extension ladders to the upper support. If you have angled the ladder properly and still have doubts about its stability, have someone hold the ladder before climbing up.
  • If you’re using a step ladder, be sure to open it completely before you climb. If you have to use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.
Climb with Care
  • When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the rungs of the ladder to climb, not the side rails. Never get on or off a ladder from the side unless it has been secured to prevent movement.
  • Never climb with equipment in your hands. Use your pockets, equipment belt, or a tool pouch and raise heavy objects with a hand line. 
  • If you forget something, always climb down the ladder to retrieve it yourself; don’t have someone toss it up to you. 
  • Never ask someone to climb up your ladder to give you supplies. It is dangerous to exceed the weight limits that a specific ladder can handle.
  • When you descend a ladder, practice the same safety rules: Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.
Think Before You Carry
  • Before you start to haul a ladder around, evaluate the area where you’ll be working. Ladders can be heavy and unwieldy. You can strike another person or object, or hit electrical power lines. 
  • Make the ladder as compact as possible before transporting it. 
  • Carry it horizontally while tilting it higher in front and lower in back. 
  • If the ladder is particularly long and heavy, get a coworker to help you carry it.