Safe Work Practices > Safe Use of Ladders/Step Ladders

Date Reviewed: February 15, 2023

Like any other piece of equipment, check to ensure a ladder is in a safe condition before using it. Check for broken or bent rungs and rails, ensure that the proper non-slip feet are in place, the ladder is placed on secure ground or base, and ladder is secured against accidental movement during use. If any of these checks fail, the ladder must be removed from service.

The following precautions should be taken when using ladders.

•Always fully extend a step ladder, do not lean it against something.

•Do not work from the top two rungs of a step ladder or the top three rungs of an extension ladder.

•Extension ladders should be placed one meter away from the vertical for every four metres in height.

•An extension ladder should extend at least one meter beyond a platform if used to access the platform.

•An extension ladder should always be placed on secure, even ground or base, secured at the bottom and tied off at the top. If possible, have someone hold the bottom of the ladder until it is secured.

•Ladders should never be painted, as this could hide cracks or other damage.

•No ladder is made by fastening cleats across a single rail or post.

•If possible, do not carry tools up and down ladders. Use a bucket and rope instead.

•Always face the ladder when ascending and descending.

•Do not reach from side to side, move the ladder to the location it is required.

•If working from a ladder at heights of 3m or more, a personal fall arrest system must be used.

•Ensure no single portable ladder and no section of an extension ladder exceeds 9m in length.

•Ensure an extension ladder consisting of two sections does not exceed 14.6 metres in length and an extension ladder consisting of more than two sections does not exceed 20 metres in length.

•Ensure an extension ladder is equipped with locks that securely hold the sections of the ladder in the extended position.

•Ensure that every ladder is designed, constructed, used, and maintained to perform its function safely.

•A metal or wire-bound portable ladder is not used where the ladder or a worker handling or using the ladder may come into contact with an exposed energized electrical conductor. The worker must only use non conductive ladders for this type of work.

•Ensure a stepladder is not more than six metres high when set for use and has legs that are securely held in position by means of metal braces or an equivalent rigid support.

•A fixed ladder is defined as a ladder that is fixed to a structure in a vertical position or at an angle that is between vertical and 25º to the vertical.