Slips, trips and falls are a major cause of injury on work sites. Many falls occur on and around ladders, where there can be a long way to fall. You can prevent injuries with a little care, attention and by planning ahead.
Play it safe with ladders
Even if you’re an old hand and use a ladder all the time, you might like to check through these safety tips.
Is a ladder the best way of doing the job?
For big jobs such as painting a house, think about whether using scaffolding would be safer.
Check the ladder first
Keep your ladder in good condition. Check it once a year (such as when daylight saving starts) to make sure no parts are missing or broken.
Make sure your ladder meets the New Zealand Safety Standard AS/NZ 1982.1.1996 (external link).
Set up the ladder carefully
Set up your ladder at a safe angle and ensure it is stable before climbing up. Remember the one in four safety rule – one measure out for every four measures up.
Secure your ladder at the top. If possible, tie a straight ladder to something stable as close to the point of support as possible to prevent movement.
Keep clear of power lines.
Use the ladder safely
Ask someone to hold the ladder steady or let someone else know you’re working on a ladder before you climb it.
Avoid over-reaching – keep your belt buckle between the ladder uprights.
Keep the steps and rungs clear. If you’re painting, use a hook on the side of the ladder to hang your paint tin.
Never climb higher than the third step from the top of a straight ladder.
For more information, see ACC4407 Ladder safety: step up to the challenge (PDF 165K).
Last updated: 18 February 2009