Construction Ladder Safety

Ladder Safety in Construction
Updated by Division of Occupational Safety and Health

March, 2020
Ladder Safety in Construction
Falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of injuries in
the construction trade.
The majority of the falls are caused by misuse, faulty ladders
or carelessness.
The Ladder Safety Rule (WAC 296-876) was written to

reduce or eliminate these mishaps.
This presentation provides some basic safety practices on
ladder use based on these regulations.
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 2

Common causes of ladder injuries
Improperly getting on or off the ladder

Loss of balance
Setting up the ladder improperly
Overreaching while on the ladder
Mis-stepping or slipping while climbing or
descending

Other causes of falls from ladders
 Lack of training on safe ladder use
 Using the wrong type ladder for the job
 Exceeding the ladder weight capacity
 Climbing ladder with tools or material in hands
 Climbing or descending not facing the ladder
 Oil, grease or mud on ladder rungs
 Ladder not secure at the base or top
 Ladder not set up at the proper angle
 Ladder not extended 3 feet above upper surface
 Using the top step of a step ladder
 Placing ladder on unstable surfaces
 Over-reaching beyond the side rails of the ladder

Ladder Training
Every employee that uses a ladder must be
trained by a competent person in the use,
placement and construction of the ladder and
the hazards associated with them.
A competent person is anyone who is

knowledgeable of the ladders to be used, can
recognize all the hazards associated with
ladders and has the authority to take the
necessary action to eliminate these hazards.

Self-supporting ladders
These include stepladders and have one or two extra legs that are
attached to the ladder for support. They do not require a structure to
support them.
Fiberglass stepladder Wood stepladder Tripod Ladder Trestle ladder

Ladder Parts – Step Ladder

Non-self supporting ladders
These include straight ladders and

extension ladders. A ladder is “non-self
supporting” type when it must be leaned
against a solid structure for support and
can’t stand alone.
In the photo, this extension ladder will be

supported by the building structure.
Leaning extension ladder

against building for support

Examples of Non Self-Supporting
Ladders
Extension ladder Straight ladder

Extension Ladder parts

Multipurpose ladders
These ladders can be used in a variety of configurations

Ladder load capacity
Each ladder type has a “duty rating” that is specific to the maximum safe
load capacity of the ladder. A person's fully clothed weight plus the
weight of the persons tool belt must be less than this duty rating.
Workers should select a ladder based on load capacity and the type of
work to be done.
Exceeding the load capacity may cause the ladder to collapse.
Ladders will be labeled as shown above.

Keep Ladders in a Good Condition
Ensure the following:
- Side rails aren't bent, broken, or split
- Rungs, cleats, or steps aren't bent, broken, or missing
- All bolts and rivets are in place and securely tighten
- Joint between the side rails and the individual rungs/steps is tight
- Safety feet are not excessively worn
- Hardware and fittings are securely attached and working properly
- Ropes aren't frayed or badly worn
- Moveable parts operate freely without binding or excessive play.
- Metal components aren't corroded.
- No other faulty or defective components exist.
- Any auxiliary equipment is securely attached, not excessively worn and functions
properly.
Inspect ladders before use
Look for cracks, splits, dents,

bends, corrosion, and missing
hardware.
All of these ladders are

unsafe and could fail if
used by employees.

Mud, Oil or Grease
Keep shoes/boots free of

slippery substances.
Inspect ladder rungs for any oil,

grease, mud or other slippery
substances which could affect traction.
Ladder Positioning
Position ladders so that they are:
 Not in the paths of workers walking through,
 Not in front of unblocked exits,
 Not in front of doors that can open out into the ladder,
 Not on boxes, barrels or other unstable surfaces,
 On solid footing and level at the bottom,
 Stable at the top with each rail supported equally,
 Against a structure capable of supporting the intended load,
 Away from debris and other hazards.

Ladder Placement
Place ladders on solid surfaces that will
support the ladder and prevent displacement
by other workers.
Block, tape, lock

or guard a door if
the ladder is
placed where the
door will hit it
when opened.

Step-Ladder Setup
Open up step ladder legs

completely and lock the
spreader bar braces.

Never use the top of a step ladder
Warning labels on stepladders clearly state that
the top step and top cap are not to be used as a
step. The higher you are on a step ladder, the
less stable it becomes.
step ladder too

short for this job
Doing this…. …could lead to this!!

Setting up extension ladder
Place ladder base on a firm, level surface with secure footing.
Don’t place a ladder on unstable footing or soft ground.
As the ladder sinks into the ground or slips from where it is positioned, it
becomes very unstable.
Position the ladder

on solid ground or
shoring to ensure
stability.
An unstable base

Setting up an extension ladder
When working from an extension
ladder, make sure it is set up at a 4:1
angle with secure footing on a firm
level surface.
For accessing an upper level, make
sure the extension ladder is set up at a
4:1 angle on a firm, level surface and
the side rails extend at least 3’ above
the surface to be accessed. Lastly,
make sure the extension ladder is
secured at the top and bottom
Proper ladder set-up

Improper ladder set-up
(not 3 ft. above roof line)

Proper Extension Ladder Setup
For every four feet of ladder length measured from

where the ladder contacts the support point, the
base of the ladder should be one foot away from
the supporting structure (one to four rule).
The ladder must extend at least three feet above

the surface to provide safe access or be rigidly
secured at the top with a grasping device if less
than three feet.
The ladder in the photo contacts the supporting

structure at 9 feet. This means that the base of
the ladder should be 27 inches back from the
support.

Determining proper ladder setup angle
One way to ensure proper angle is to stand

with your feet at the base of the ladder and
extend your arms straight out. If your
hands just touch, the ladder will be very
close to the 4 to 1 ratio.

Ladder set-up on uneven ground
Ladder can be set up straight and level on just about
any type of uneven surface using ladder levels
attached to the side rails.

Straight ladder stabilizers
The straight ladder side rails must be equally supported at the
top, unless the ladder is equipped with an adequate stabilizer.
Ladders with top stabilizers

Climbing or descending a ladder
When climbing a ladder, you must have both hands free and face the
ladder. This allows for three points of contact with the ladder at all times
and reduces the chances of falling. The three point contact is two hands
and one foot or one hand and two feet.
Not this way This way

Climbing and descending
This worker does not have both hands free to
hold onto the ladder while climbing or
descending the ladder.
Proper ladder climbing with tools

on belt and both hands free

Overreaching from the sides
Doing this…. Could result in this!

Electrical Hazards and Ladders
Don’t use metal or conductive ladders near
energized electrical equipment or overhead
power lines.

Tying Extension ladders
Don’t tie or fasten ladder sections together to make a longer
ladder, unless the manufacturer specifically endorses this
modification using hardware fittings designed for that purpose.

Ladder misuse
A ladder must be used only for purposes specifically recommended by the

manufacturer.
The ladder in this photo is being as a ramp to enter the house interior.

Step Ladder Misus
Rather than a firm, level surface, this stepladder is
positioned on a fence so the such that the bottom
step is taking the load rather than the side rails.
It doesn’t extend three feet above the roof
surface, is not secured, and the worker is standing
on the top step to access roof.
This stepladder is being misused to access

doorway.
Stepladders can’t be used partially closed and

leaned against the wall.

Stepladder Misuse
A 3-legged step-
ladder with the
worker standing
on the top cap
and balancing
on one foot.
(Also, no safety
glasses while using a
nail gun and hard hat
is worn backwards)
Step ladder misuse
This step ladder is not fully opened

with spreader bar locked and the step
ladder side rails are straddling a
scaffold plank being set up in a position
not intended by the manufacturer.

Hazardous Ladder Use
A 3-legged step-ladder leaned

against a 2x4 nailed across
the window.
A repair patch on the left front

side rail of ladder.
No fall protection in use while

working at height.

Hazardous ladder use
Unsecured, folded step-ladder set on an
angled shed roof so that only the tips of the
side rails lay on roof.
Extension ladder not extended at least 3-feet

above roof, set up at an angle greater than a
4:1, and it’s not secured top and bottom to
prevent movement.
No fall protection being used while on this

walking/working surface.

Ladder Misuse
Two workers using two step-ladders

leaned against wall, set up over wood
debris, with the far worker standing on
the top step. (also, third worker needs fall
protection)
A better choice in ladders would make this job easier!!

More safe ladder practices
Use a ladder only when you are mentally alert and
physically able.
Don’t let your belt buckle pass beyond either ladder side
rails.
Hold the ladder with one hand while working with the
other.
Don't hurry or skip rungs /steps when using the ladder.
Be careful when pushing or pulling anything while up on a

ladder.
A few more ladder safe practices
Don't test a ladder by jumping on it.
Don't paint a wood ladder.
Don't use any ladder that has been exposed to fire or other strong
chemicals.
Protect ladders from environmental elements such as: excessive

heat or cold.
Don't drop or throw ladders.
Store ladders out of the way of other employees.
Secure ladders firmly when transporting on vehicles.

More Information
OSHA Construction eTool – ladders
CPWR – Ladder Safety (safety meeting topic)
CPWR Video – ladder safety (online video)
L & I Video Library (several videos on ladder safety)

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Ladder Safety in Construction

Updated by Division of Occupational Safety and Health

The Ladder Safety Rule (WAC 296-876) was written to

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 2

Improperly getting on or off the ladder

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 3

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 4

A competent person is anyone who is

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 5

Fiberglass stepladder Wood stepladder Tripod Ladder Trestle ladder

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 6

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 7

These include straight ladders and

In the photo, this extension ladder will be

Leaning extension ladder

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 8

Extension ladder Straight ladder

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 9

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 10

These ladders can be used in a variety of configurations

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 12

Look for cracks, splits, dents,

All of these ladders are

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 14

Keep shoes/boots free of

Inspect ladder rungs for any oil,

 Not in the paths of workers walking through,

 Not in front of unblocked exits,

 Not on boxes, barrels or other unstable surfaces,

 On solid footing and level at the bottom,

 Stable at the top with each rail supported equally,

 Against a structure capable of supporting the intended load,

 Away from debris and other hazards.

Block, tape, lock

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 17

Open up step ladder legs

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 18

step ladder too

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 19

Position the ladder

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 20

Proper ladder set-up

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 21

For every four feet of ladder length measured from

The ladder must extend at least three feet above

The ladder in the photo contacts the supporting

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 22

One way to ensure proper angle is to stand

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 23

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 24

Ladders with top stabilizers

Not this way This way

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 26

Proper ladder climbing with tools

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 27

Doing this…. Could result in this!

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 28

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 29

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 30

A ladder must be used only for purposes specifically recommended by the

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 31

This stepladder is being misused to access

Stepladders can’t be used partially closed and