Employee Responsibilities

As an employee, it is your responsibility to make safety your first priority. You are entitled by law to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm to you. To help ensure a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA also provides workers with the right to:

• Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace.
• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. This training must be in a language that workers can understand.
• Get copies of tests results conducted to find hazards in the workplace.
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

In addition, you can use the following tips to help ensure your health and safety while working on ladders:

• Participate in ladder safety training.
• Ensure that you are fit for work on a ladder. Do not use a ladder if your balance is impaired for any reason or if you feel dizzy or ill.
• Wear sturdy, clean, and slip-resistant footwear.
• Inspect your ladder before setting it up.
• Follow the instructions on the ladder's manufacturer's label.
• Ensure the ladder is secure and set up properly.
• Report any accidents or unsafe work conditions or actions.

If you believe working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, you should speak up and bring the conditions to your employer's attention.

To learn more about Ladder & Stairway Safety visit our Ladder & Stairway Safety Online Training web page.