Training Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for training all employees to recognize hazards related to ladders and stairways, as well as means for minimizing these hazards. Employees should be trained by a competent person in the following areas:

• Nature of fall hazards in the work area
• Ladder selection
• Ladder inspections
• Proper construction, use, placement, and care in handling of all ladders and stairways
• Maximum intended load-carrying capacities of all ladders used
• Dangers of over-reaching
• Awareness of unsafe practices, such as the following:
• Setting ladders on uneven surfaces
• Climbing with wet or greasy shoes
• Leaning the ladder against unstable support
• Use and maintenance of all personal protective equipment used
• Correct procedures for using, maintaining, and disassembling fall protection systems, if used

Employees should be retrained as necessary to maintain their knowledge and understanding of the safe use of ladders and stairways.

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