LADDER SAFETY
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375-BHM-01-IGDO © 2022, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
General Safety Practices
Use the right ladder for the job
Inspect the ladder before and after use
Get help when moving heavy or long ladders
Ensure that portable ladders of all types are placed on a stable surface
When climbing make sure your shoes and/or boots are clear of mud, snow and grease
Protect base of ladder from accidental contact with traffic (human or vehicle) by securing it with
hazard tape or warning signs and/or having someone present at the base
Secure the top of a ladder when using it to access a platform or scaffold and ensure that the top
of the ladder extends above the upper surface (see extension ladders above)
Face the ladder when ascending or descending – maintain three points of control
Hoist materials or attach them to a belt – do not carry materials in your hands
Make sure that only one person at a time is on the ladder
Don't stretch or reach beyond the side rails of a ladder – a shift in the centre of gravity could cause
the ladder to slip
Never stand any higher than on the third rung from the top of a stepladder
Assess hazards that may arise from the area the work is being done. Identify and where possible
keep work away from power lines or other hazards. If you must work near power lines, ensure that
they are identified and always use a fiberglass ladder – NEVER work with a metal ladder around
power lines
If the job is construction related, workers must receive working at heights training by an approved
provider
Any worker using fall arrest equipment must receive training in its use
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