A few seconds of setup prevent the falls that end careers.
In this article
Why it matters
Technicians climb ladders every day: gutters, attics, rooftop units, ceilings. Familiarity breeds shortcuts, and shortcuts cause falls. A fall can mean months away from work and a large workers' comp claim.
The right ladder
Correct height and material. Fiberglass near electricity.
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Inspect it
Rails, rungs, feet and locks before each use.
Setup
Stable ground and the correct angle.
Three points of contact
Two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand.
Roof access
Extend the ladder above the roof edge and secure it.
Training
Show it at onboarding and repeat in safety meetings.
Accountability
Managers check setups on ride-alongs.
Where to start
Inspect every ladder in the fleet this week and replace damaged ones immediately.
An example
A company added a ladder check to its weekly truck inspection. Damaged ladders were found and replaced before anyone got hurt.
Common mistakes
Wrong ladder, skipping inspection and standing on the top step.
What to track
Track near misses, ladder replacements and injuries. Near misses are the early warning that something needs to change.
Questions to ask your team
Which jobs make you feel unsafe on a ladder? Do you have the right ladder on your truck? What shortcut have you seen someone take?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the basic ladder safety rules for technicians?
Use the right ladder for the job, inspect it before use, set it on stable ground at the correct angle, keep three points of contact and never stand on the top steps.