~300 workers die from ladder falls each year — most are preventable. Ladders are involved in more construction fatalities than almost any other equipment. Five minutes of attention today could save your life.
Check the duty rating — it must exceed your weight plus tools and materials. Use fiberglass near electrical hazards, never aluminum. Inspect before every use: no cracks, no bent rungs, no missing feet. Never use a damaged ladder.
For every 4 feet of height, move the base 1 foot out from the wall. For extension ladders, extend at least 3 feet above the landing point and tie off the top. Set up on stable, level ground — never on boxes or makeshift platforms.
Always maintain 3 points of contact: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. Face the ladder when climbing up or down. Never carry tools in your hands — use a tool belt or hoist materials separately. Do not overreach; move the ladder instead.