Ladder Safety: Stop Taking Stupid Risks

Falls From Height Kill More Construction Workers Than Anything Else

Every year, dozens of tradesmen die falling from ladders. Hundreds more are seriously injured. Most of these accidents are completely preventable. I know you've been up a ladder a thousand times, but one wrong move is all it takes.

Should You Even Be Using a Ladder?

First question: is a ladder the right choice? Regulations say ladders should only be used for:

• Short duration work (under 30 minutes)
• Light work (not heavy lifting or force)
• Where a safer alternative isn't practical

Better alternatives:

• Podium steps for low-level work
• Mobile scaffold tower for extended work at height
• Platform stepladders with guardrails
• Scaffolding for anything substantial

Choosing the Right Ladder

Not all ladders are equal:

• EN131 Professional standard - essential for work use
• Check weight rating (150kg minimum for trade use)
• Appropriate height - don't stretch beyond 4th rung from top
• Condition - check for damage before every use

Types for different jobs:

• Extension ladders for accessing height
• Combination ladders for versatility
• Platform stepladders for standing work
• Roof ladders for pitched roof access

Setup: Where Most Accidents Happen

The 1-in-4 rule:

For every 4 metres of height, the base should be 1 metre out. Too steep and it tips backward. Too shallow and the base slides.

Ground conditions:

• Level, firm surface - not soft ground, loose gravel, or ice
• Levelling devices if ground isn't flat
• Never use bricks or pallets to extend reach
• Check for hazards - trip risks, puddles, electrical cables

Securing the ladder:

• Tie at top whenever possible
• Stake or weight at bottom if can't tie
• Someone footing the ladder if neither is possible
• Never lean against plastic guttering or unstable surfaces

Using the Ladder Safely

Three points of contact:

Always have two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, on the ladder. If you need both hands free for work, you need a different access solution.

What NOT to do:

• Don't overreach - if you can't reach comfortably, move the ladder
• Don't carry heavy items up - use a rope and bag
• Don't use power tools that push or pull you off balance
• Don't go up in high winds
• Don't lean the ladder against windows or weak surfaces

Getting on and off:

• Extension ladders should extend at least 1m above landing point
• Step onto the landing point, not the ladder top
• Face the ladder when climbing - never turn your back

Inspection Checklist

Before each use, check:

• Stiles (sides) - no bends, cracks, corrosion
• Rungs - all secure, not bent, damaged, or missing
• Feet - rubber intact, clean, grip functional
• Locks and hinges - operating correctly
• Platform steps - lock mechanism engaging properly

Take it out of service if:

• Any visible damage
• Rungs loose or bent
• Feet worn smooth
• Won't lock open properly
• Paint covering condition (could hide damage)

The Real Talk

I know what you're thinking: "I've done it that way for years and never had a problem." Every person who's fallen from a ladder thought the same thing the day before their accident.

It takes 30 seconds to set up a ladder properly. It takes months to recover from a broken back - if you're lucky. Some falls you don't recover from.

Your hand tools and power tools are replaceable. You're not.

The Bottom Line

Use ladders for appropriate tasks. Set them up properly every single time. Check condition regularly. And if a job needs more than a ladder can safely provide, hire proper access equipment. It's not weakness - it's professionalism.