Ladder Safety Procedures

If you're using a ladder to work at height, there are certain procedures that you should follow – both for your own safety and for the safety of those around you.

Falls from ladders are a very common cause of injury and can even result in death. Performing a few checks before you ascend helps to minimise the risk that comes with working up a ladder.

Here are the precautions you should take:

Inspect Your Ladder Before Use

Checks for a leaning ladder

• Inspect the stiles. If the ladder's stiles (side rails) are bent or split, there's a chance the ladder could collapse while you're using it.
  
  
• Check the feet. If the ladder's feet are damaged, worn or even missing, do not use the ladder as it could slip easily.
  
  
• Ensure the rungs are not bent, missing or loose. You want to be sure that the rungs are secure and sturdy enough to support you when you put your weight on them.

Checks for a step ladder

• Pay attention to the locking bars. Make sure they are not bent or worn; if so, the ladder could collapse while in use.
  
  
• Check the platform (if applicable). If your step ladder has a platform for you to stand on, check it before you use it. The platform should be stable and fully intact.
  
  
• Always remember to check the fixings. If any parts of the ladder are loose, they could fall out while you're on the ladder and cause it to collapse.

General Ladder Security Tips

For a leaning ladder

• Make sure it's the right size for the job. If the ladder is not long/high enough for the task at hand, do not use it as overreaching may cause you to lose balance.

• Use the '1 in 4' rule. The distance between the base of your ladder and the wall it's leaning against should be a quarter of the ladder's height.

• When climbing up or down the ladder, be sure to grip and face the rungs. Ascend slowly and carefully. Don't rush!

• Avoid working from the top three rungs. Those last few rungs are there so that you can hold on with your hands. You shouldn't stand on them.

• Be sure to only use a ladder on solid ground. You don't want to set up your ladder on a platform or other surface that could move around while you're on it.

• Try not to climb with your hands full. A tool belt can be used to carry most things needed.

• Maintain at least 3 points of contact with the ladder. This should ideally be two feet and one hand, or both hands and one foot while ascending or descending.

For a step ladder

• Be sure to not overreach. Reaching out to one side or the other could cause the steps to topple over.

• Don't stand on the very top step. You don't want too much of your body to be above and beyond the top of the ladder, as this increases your risk of unbalancing.

• Make sure all four feet are stable and completely on the ground. If even one foot is unbalanced, the step ladder is not safe to use.

• Always try to face the ladder towards the work. Using a step ladder side-on can be dangerous.

• Maintain three points of contact with the stepladder. If both hands need to be used, the body can become a point of contact.

We hope these ladder safety procedures will help you to stay safe when working at a height. You may also be interested to know that we stock a selection of ladder safety products here at Safety Liftin Gear – click the button below to browse and buy.

Ladder Safety Equipment