Beginner's guide: how to use a ladder safely

Because step ladders are such a common tool, even in the home, it is often taken for granted that employees know how to properly use them.  This is a dangerous assumption.  Most people don’t thoroughly inspect their ladders at home and many wouldn’t know what to look for if they did.  Many people take risks at home that could get them injured or worse.  If they do that at home, chances are they’ll do it on the job, too.  Here is what your employees need to know:

Do I Have the Right Ladder?

Ladders aren't one size fits all.  Obviously, a 14’ ladder is going to allow you higher reach than an 8’ ladder, but it’s also going to require extra room to be properly set up.  Different ladders are going to support different weights (more on this later).  Aluminum ladders shouldn’t be used in situations where there is the possibility of coming into contact with electrical components, live wires, or even of being exposed to lightning.  Many companies have policies against aluminum ladders (and some have policies against ladders altogether).  Do your employees even know what your policies are?

What Can My Ladder Hold?

Stepladders are broken down into different classifications, cleverly named Type I (which is further broken down), Type II, and Type III.  Each has a maximum height and maximum weight:

How High Can I Go?

Take a look at your ladder.  See that sticker that says, “Do not stand on or above this step.”?  If we look at that sticker, then do some quick calculations….carry the one….move the decimal…then we can deduce that it means we should not stand ON OR ABOVE THAT STEP.  Plain and simple.  This does not mean that you cannot stand on or above that step unless you really need to.  This does not mean you cannot stand on or above that step unless you have really good balance. 

 It does not mean you can stand ON but not ABOVE that step.  It means do not stand on or above that step.  If this is still confusing, the label on the side rail of your ladder with all of the ladder specs should give you the maximum height to which you are allowed to climb.  This should match up with what the “Do not stand on or above this step” sticker is telling you.  Now, if for some reason, you looked at your ladder and said, “Hmm.  I get what he’s saying, but I don’t see any labels,” then take the ladder out of service.  Your ladder must be properly labeled with the necessary information in order to be used.

Now, due to this climbing restriction, you will not be able to climb a ladder all the way to the tippy-top (that’s the scientific name for it) and step off onto a higher level.  Where feasible, use an extension ladder to access higher levels, but if you must use a step ladder, ensure that it extends at least 3’ above the level you are climbing to and is secured so as not to move when stepping on or off, just as you would an extension ladder.