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Construction Safety Association of Ontario
Ladders require a special approach to safety.
When you think about it, preventing falls
from ladders is different from preventing
falls through floor openings, for instance, or
from roof edges.
Fall-arrest equipment such as harnesses and
fall prevention equipment such as guardrails
generally won’t protect people climbing up
and down ladders.
The most common fall hazards in residential
and commercial construction involve
ladders. Falls result when ladders are
- not tied off at the top
- in poor condition
- used the wrong way.
A few simple rules can prevent most falls
from ladders.
- Make sure the ladder is set up on a
firm level surface.
- Always face the ladder when you’re
climbing up or down.
- Maintain three-point contact when
climbing up and down a ladder or
working from it. Three-point contact
means one hand and two feet or two
hands and one foot on the ladder at all
times. Your chances of falling will be
significantly reduced if you maintain
three-point contact.
- Don’t carry anything in your hands.
Carry your tools in a belt or pouch.
Use a rope to lift and lower equipment
and material.
- Secure the ladder at top and bottom.
Consider using ladder stabilizing
attachments at the base and top.
- Never over-reach to get at something
off to one side. Re-position the ladder
instead.
- Where possible, use a scaffold or
elevating work platform instead of a
ladder.
- With extension ladders, make sure the
ladder is
- free of damage to rungs, siderails,
and hardware
- set up so that the base is level and
the bottom can’t slip
- sloped between 1:3 and 1:4
- tall enough to extend at least 90 cm
(3 feet) above the landing area at
the top
- secured at the top if it will be a
regular means of access.
- With step ladders, make sure the
ladder is
- free of damage (no cracks in rungs
or siderails, no excessive play in
hinges)
- set up with legs fully extended and
spreader arms locked
- tall enough to let you work while
keeping your waist below the top of
the ladder.
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