Portable Ladders Best Practices

According to the Final Rule, employers must ensure that portable ladders meet the following requirements:

• Rungs and steps are slip resistant.
• Portable ladders that are used on slippery surfaces are secured and stabilized.
• Portable ladders are not moved, shifted, or extended while a worker is on them.
• Top steps and the caps of stepladders are not used as steps.
• Ladders are not fastened together to provide added length unless the ladders are designed for such use.
• Ladders are not placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain added height.

In order to ensure the safe use of portable ladders, keep the following best practices in mind:

• Read and follow all labels and markings on the ladder.
• Avoid electrical hazards. Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Never use metal ladders near electrical equipment.
• Always inspect the ladder before using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
• Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing.
• Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks, or hooks) for their designed purposes.
• Ladders used to gain access to a roof or other area must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support.
• Never use ladders in a horizontal position as scaffolds or work platforms.
• Use ladders at an angle, where the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is one-fourth of the working length of the ladder (that is, the length along the ladder between the foot and the top support).

Here are some additional best practices for ladder use:

• Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps, or feet.
• Do not use a self-supporting ladder (such as a step ladder) as a straight ladder or in a partially closed position.
• Do not use the top step or rung of a stepladder as a step or rung unless it was designed for that purpose.
• Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless the ladder has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement.
• Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height.
• Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder.
• Do not stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single, or extension ladder.
• A ladder placed in any location where it can be displaced by other work activities must be secured to prevent displacement, or a barricade must be erected to keep traffic away from the ladder.
• Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are properly engaged.
• Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder. Be aware of the ladder's load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight of any tools or equipment.

To learn more about Walking Working Surfaces visit our Walking Working Surfaces & Personal Fall Protection Systems Online Training web page.