November 3, 2023

Ladder Safety – 5 Basic Rules

As we move into the holiday season, it’s important to prioritize ladder safety. Whether you’re climbing on the roof to hang twinkling lights or climbing to the crawl space to retrieve the good dishes, it’s important to be mindful of staying safe and secure.

Small child playing on a ladder

Stay S.M.A.R.T. with Ladder Safety

There are five basic rules for ladder safety and here is a mnemonic to help you remember them.


When using a ladder, you’re going to stay SMART.


S – Safety & Stability

Inspect the ladder to make sure all screws, bolts, and hinges are in good, working order. Look for damaged rungs, rust damage, or other structural damage. Always survey the area for powerlines, electric lines, uneven terrain, or other obstructions.


M – Maintain Contact

Always maintain three (3) points of contact when ascending or descending a ladder. This means keeping 2 hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder at all times. This also means that only small items can be safely carried up a ladder alone, and for heavier, bulkier items you should always enlist someone else’s assistance.


A – Avoid Turning or Reaching.

 Ascend and descend using the middle of the foot rungs and maintaining contact with the handrails, staying centered and balanced at all times. Always face the ladder when climbing up and climbing down. Never turn around, lean over, or overreach the ladder or you may lose your balance.


R – Use the RIGHT ladder for the job.

Be mindful of weight limits, which range from 200 pounds of working load (light duty) to 375 pounds of working load (special duty) and beyond. As for how tall the ladder should be, follow the 4:1 rule. For every 4 meters of climb, you’ll set the base of the ladder to be 1 meter from the structure. A 4-meter ladder is not tall enough for a 4-meter climb.


T – Take Your Time

It’s easy to take ladder safety for granted, and injuries are easy to sustain. Falling from a ladder can be life-threatening, especially if you are on your own or falling from a great height. No matter how experienced you are with climbing, or how comfortable with heights, always take your time and prioritize ladder safety.


Stay SMART this holiday season – Follow these 5 Basic Rules to ensure your ladder success! 

Front of house lighted with holiday lights
Man on a ladder painting wall

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