Planning

Before you select a ladder for your work task, first determine if a ladder is the best choice of equipment. Working from heights always involves a risk of falling, so determine if it is possible to accomplish the task from the ground. If you cannot avoid working from an elevated position, consider alternative equipment. If you will be holding onto heavy items, working from the elevated height for a long time, or standing in an awkward position in order to accomplish the task, you may consider using another type of equipment, such as scaffolding, platforms, or ramps.

Ladders are typically suitable for accessing elevated work areas, such as roofs, mezzanines, or scaffolding, as well as completing minor maintenance tasks that take approximately 15 minutes or less to complete, such as caulking, touch-up painting, and other light-duty tasks.

If you decide that a ladder is the best choice to accomplish your task, make sure that you plan accordingly. You will need to decide where you intend to set up the ladder, what type of ladder you will choose, what the maximum length of the ladder needs to be, and what type of material the ladder should be constructed from.

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