Ladder Safety Tips: Before, During and After Use

Falls from ladders can happen anywhere, anytime and to the most cautious user. This is why following ladder safety tips is crucial. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 22,710 workplace ladder injuries in 2020, and a total of 161 deaths. Industries with a focus on installation, maintenance, repair, construction and extraction accounted for nearly half of all ladder injuries.

Falls don’t just happen at the workplace. According to research from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), there are over 130,000 emergency room-treated injuries and more than 300 deaths related to ladder use in the U.S. each year — on average, 2,000 people experience a ladder-related injury every day.

Whether you’re on a construction site or hanging holiday lights, safe ladder use starts with the basics. Follow these ladder safety tips to prevent accidents and protect yourself and your team.

Before Using a Ladder

Choose the Right Ladder for the Job

One of the most important safety tips is choosing the right ladder for the task, the environment and the height you need. A ladder that’s too short encourages unsafe standing positions. A ladder that’s too tall can be harder to control.

Common ladder types include:

• Step ladders for freestanding work on stable, level ground
• Straight ladder and extension ladders for access when the ladder must lean on a secure structure
• Fixed ladders for permanent access points (often with additional requirements)

If you’re unsure, pause and reassess ladder selection before climbing.

Plan for Ladder Height and Safe Access

Confirm the ladder height supports the work without reaching. If you can’t work with your body centered, the ladder should be repositioned. For extension ladders, a common rule is extending the ladder 3 feet above the landing surface to provide a secure handhold when stepping on or off.

Inspect the Ladder Every Time

A quick inspection can prevent serious incidents. Before climbing, look for:

• A damaged ladder with cracks, bent rails, missing feet or loose hardware
• A defective ladder with broken locks, damaged spreaders or unstable sections
• Structural damage such as splitting, warping or corrosion
• Debris or slick surfaces on steps or rails
• A damaged ladder rung (or step) that flexes, shifts or feels loose

If you notice defects, remove the ladder from service immediately.

View FFVA Mutual’s Ladder Safety Inspection Video

Use a Ladder Safety Checklist

A short ladder safety checklist helps teams build consistent habits:

• Right ladder chosen for the job
• Ladder inspected (no defects, no structural damage)
• Setup area clear (doors, traffic paths, debris)
• Surface stable and level (or manufacturer-approved leveling equipment used)
• Electrical hazards identified and avoided
• Worker follows three points of contact and proper ladder use

This is also a natural place to reinforce ladder safety training during onboarding and refreshers.

Stabilize the Ladder and Control the Setup Area

Ladder safety starts at ground level. Set the ladder on firm ground. If the surface is uneven, use ladder levelers (or a leveling accessory approved by the manufacturer). Never improvise height with boxes, pallets or scrap materials.

For added ladders stability, consider a ladder stabilizer (stand-off) when using extension ladders. This can reduce shifting at the top and prevent the ladder from slipping against gutters or weak contact points.

Watch for Electrical Hazards

Before raising a ladder, scan overhead. Power lines, electrical lines and overhead power lines can be hard to spot until it’s too late. Keep ladders away from electrical sources and avoid working near exposed electrical equipment whenever possible.

If electrical hazards are possible, choose a fiberglass ladder (or fiberglass ladders) and avoid a metal ladder or aluminum ladder, which can conduct electricity. Treat electricity as a non-negotiable risk factor in ladder selection.

During Ladder Use

Maintain 3 Points of Contact

One of the most important ladder safety tips is maintaining three points of contact — two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand — while climbing and descending. Face the ladder, climb slowly and keep your body centered between the rails. This simple rule supports ladder safety and helps reduce ladder injuries.

Set Extension Ladders at the Right Angle

For an extension ladder, the correct angle is critical. Use the 4-to-1 rule: for every four feet of working length, set the base one foot away from the support point. Confirm the top support is stable and won’t shift. If you need to work near fragile contact points, a ladder stabilizer can improve stability and reduce movement at the top.

Keep Your Hands Free and Loads Light

Carrying items while climbing increases fall risk. Use a tool belt or hoist line or have a coworker hand you what you need once you’re stable. If the task involves frequent tool changes, treat hands-free setup as an essential tool for safe work.

Don’t Overreach — Move the Ladder

Overreaching is a common cause of ladder fall events and ladder accidents. If your belt buckle moves past the rails, you’re too far. Climb down and reposition the ladder. It takes longer but it prevents ladder related accidents and ladder related injuries.

Avoid Unsafe Combinations and Shortcuts

Never stack ladders, place ladders on unstable objects or try to “walk” a ladder from one spot to another while standing on it. If the ladder doesn’t fit the task, stop and choose the correct equipment. Shortcuts are a major cause of ladder-related accidents.

 A spotter can help keep the base stable, keep the area clear and assist with safe tool handoffs. A spotter does not make an unsafe setup safe but it can reduce risk when used correctly.

After Ladder Use

Clean, Store and Maintain Ladders Properly

After the job:

• Wipe down steps and rails to remove dirt, oil or moisture
• Close and lock step ladders before carrying
• Store ladders in a dry area away from traffic and heavy equipment
• Avoid storage positions that can cause warping or bending over time

Proper storage helps prevent structural damage and keeps ladders ready for safe use.

Tag and Remove Unsafe Ladders from Service

If someone reports a damaged ladder or you notice a defective ladder during use, tag it and remove it from service. Don’t leave it where someone can grab it “just to finish one thing.” This one step can prevent ladder injuries and ladder accidents.

Ladder Safety Tips by Ladder Type

Step Ladders and Stepladders

Step ladders are common portable ladder options and can stand on their own but they’re only safe on stable, level surfaces. Open the ladder fully, lock the spreaders and never use a step ladder as a straight ladder.

Extension Ladders and Straight Ladders

Extension ladders require careful setup:

• Use the 4-to-1 angle rule
• Secure the base on firm ground
• Confirm the top support point is stable
• Extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface when stepping off
• Avoid electrical hazards such as overhead power lines

Fixed Ladders

Fixed ladders often require different safety controls and maintenance practices. If your workplace uses fixed ladders, include them in ladder safety training and inspection routines.

Common Ladder Safety Questions

How Do Ladder Accidents Typically Happen?

Many ladder accidents result from poor setup (uneven ground, incorrect angle), skipping inspection (using a defective ladder), overreaching, carrying items while climbing or encountering electrical hazards near power lines.

How Can Employers Reduce Ladder-Related Injuries?

Make ladder safety part of workplace safety:

• Provide ladder safety training and refreshers
• Use a ladder safety checklist for inspection and setup
• Standardize ladder removal when damage is found
• Encourage workers to reposition ladders instead of overreaching

Strengthen Workplace Safety with FFVA Mutual

Creating a strong safety culture starts with the basics and ladder safety is one of them. At FFVA Mutual, we’re committed to helping our policyholders protect their employees through comprehensive safety training.

Our ladder safety courses provide essential guidance on topics including:

• Choosing the right ladder for the job
• Fixed ladders
• Participating in Ladder Safety Stand-Down events
• Portable ladders
• Proper ladder care and usage
• Routine ladder maintenance
• Safe ladder placement

We offer policyholders courses in a range of formats, including on-demand recordings, in-person sessions and virtual classes, giving them the convenience to access training information that fits their preferences. If you want to learn more about our safety training courses or if you’re ready to sign up for one, visit our safety training course page to get started.

Our workers’ compensation Solutionists at FFVA Mutual work closely with customers to deliver personalized underwriting, safety and claims services to help them improve workplace safety and resolve claims fast. Reach out to our team to get a conversation started.