How to Climb a Ladder Safely

Co-authored by Allen Lee

Last Updated: June 3, 2023 References

Ladders are everywhere, and they come in many different forms to fit many different needs. Using ladders can bring you to great heights, but without proper technique, they can send you back to the earth a little too quickly. However, employing proper technique can make ascending a ladder as safe as any other tool in the garage. Everything from proper ladder material to proper ladder angle may seem obvious, but are extremely important.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Using The Ladder

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Hold the ladder so that each foot is planted firmly against the ground.^{[1]
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Allen Lee
Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.} Lift the top of the ladder and walk towards the wall. If you have an extension ladder, raise the rungs, either by hand or by using the rope and pulley wheel. ^{[2]
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Set the ladder at a 75° angle with the ground. The simplest way to achieve this is by standing with your toes touching the feet of the ladder and extending your arms forward. Your palms should be able to reach a rung of the ladder when your arms are fully extended. If the angle is too steep, the ladder could tip backward; too shallow and it could slide out or bend in the middle.^{[3]
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US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards

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- You can also achieve this angle by pulling the feet of the ladder away from the wall about ¼ of the total length of the ladder.
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Make sure the feet are secure. Always place feet parallel to the wall and on firm, level ground. It is never safe to place your ladder on top of any objects to gain additional height.
- On soft ground, flip the ladder feet up to expose the spurs and stomp on the bottom rung to penetrate the ground.
- On uneven ground, a ladder leveler is the only safe way to effectively extend one leg of the ladder.^{[4]
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- If possible, you can also bolt a cleat into the ground behind the feet to aid against slipping.
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Make sure the top of the ladder is secure. Both side rails should be equally supported and placed on an even surface. The ladder should not slide or wobble when you put weight against it. Whenever practical, tie off the top of the ladder to further secure it to the wall.^{[5]
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Allen Lee
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Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.}^{[6]
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- If the ladder is fully extended, you may want to tie off the midsection as well.
You should always climb one rung at a time, moving only one hand or one foot at a time. Always face the ladder as you climb, and only use the rungs to climb opposed to the side rails.^{[7]
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Part 2

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Taking Extra Precautions

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1
Utilize accessories to help stabilize the top of the ladder. There are a variety of tasks that call for a ladder, and a variety of accessories for the top of ladders that can help you more easily and safely complete those tasks.^{[8]
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- Soft "mitts" that slip over the top of the side rails can provide extra grip and protect the surface from damage done by the ladder.
- Ladder stabilizers basically widen the points at which the top of the ladder rests. This can be useful to protect fragile siding or to clear the width of a window.
- Single support attachments are necessary whenever the ladder is leaned against a surface narrower than the width of the ladder, like a telephone pole. They mount to the ladder above the top rung between the two side rails.
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Avoid aluminium ladders when working with electricity. Aluminium ladders tend to be the lightest weight, but they are also electrical conductors. So whenever you need to place your ladder near a live electrical line or fixture, or even when working with corded power tools, it is best to use a wooden or fiberglass ladder, as neither are electrical conductors.^{[9]
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Allen Lee
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Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.}^{[10]
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- Even if you are using wooden or fiberglass ladders, try to avoid coming into contact with any electrical wires.
Checking all the moving parts, like feet and rung locks, as well as the overall integrity of the ladder, can prevent the worst of accidents. It’s also important that the ladder is clean of any foreign substances that could be slippery, sticky, corrosive, conductive, or otherwise an added hazard to using the ladder.^{[11]
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All ladders are sold with a label on the outside of one of the side rails that details the ladders max length, duty (or max weight), and other helpful safety information. Remember that max weight includes the weight of your body, clothes, tools, and any accessories attached to the ladder.

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Is a fiberglass or aluminum ladder better?

Allen Lee
Home Improvement Specialist
Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs.

Allen Lee

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

If you're working with any electrical components, use a fiberglass ladder to avoid electrocution.

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Are ladder levelers a good idea?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

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Yes, they are a great solution to use when the grade is uneven. Just make sure they work with your ladder, and check that they are completely secured before you use them.

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How do you climb a step ladder safely?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

You always want the step ladder to face the work. Climb facing the ladder. Go one step at a time always with both hands holding onto it. You never want to climb to the top step.

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Tips

Whenever possible, have someone brace the bottom of the ladder for added stability.

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The highest standing step is at least three feet from the top of the ladder, but as a rule of thumb, do not stand on the top three rungs of a ladder.

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Wear secure, closed toe shoes, and always check soles for mud or other slippery substances before climbing.

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Warnings

Always look for overhead power lines near you before you set up the ladder!

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Never face away from the ladder while you are standing on it.

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Do not try to move the ladder while still on it.

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A fully-extended ladder is top-heavy, so lower the extension before moving it or the ladder could be unwieldy, especially on a windy day.

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Don't overreach to one side or another, simply move the ladder instead. This will take longer, but overreaching is the most common cause of falls from a ladder.^{[12]
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