Store Locator
Best Rewards
About Us

Deals
Ideas & Resources
Ideas & Resources
The Color Bar

Deals
Ideas & Resources
Ideas & Resources
The Color Bar

Store Locator
Best Rewards
About Us

Back to Navigation

Automotive
Building Materials
Cleaning Supplies
Storage & Organization
Electronics
Food & Snacks
Lawn & Garden
Safety
Hardware
Electrical
Workwear & Outdoor Clothing
Sporting Goods
Power Tools & Accessories
Pet Supplies
Plumbing Supplies
Outdoor Living
Office Supplies
Housewares
Hand Tools
Holiday Decorations & Supplies
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Toys & Games
Paint & Painting Supplies
Doors & Windows
Farm & Ranch

Home
Ideas
Safety
Ladder Safety

Ladder Safety

Two orange and yellow Werner ladders placed in the center of a construction site.

Because ladders are common tools used every day, many people forget proper ladder safety. It's important to remember that ladder injuries are easily preventable if you think before acting.

Avoid ladder injuries with these ladder safety suggestions

A person standing on their tippy toes on a small silver step stool painting a wall with a thumbs down icon in the bottom right corner

Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step/rung unless it was designed for that purpose
Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet
Properly set and use the ladder according to safety instructions and warnings
Wear shoes with non-slip soles

A professional painter wearing a N95 mask standing on a blue and yellow ladder correctly holding onto the ladder while painting a wall with a paint sprayer

Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing, and keep your body near the middle of the step.
Be aware of the ladder’s load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight of any tools or equipment. DON'T exceed the maximum load capacity or duty rating of a ladder.
DON’T permit more than one person on a single-sided stepladder or an extension ladder.

A man wearing a blue shirt and jeans incorrectly laying across the top of a step ladder painting the wall

Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are properly set.
DON'T climb a closed stepladder.
Haul materials with a line rather than carry them up an extension ladder.
Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement.
DON'T place the base of an extension ladder too close to or too far away from the your vertical surface. The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall or building.

Making smart decisions while using any type of ladder is a must. Each ladder has directions specific to that ladder type, so be sure to know what capabilities are offered. Remember, ladder injuries are easily preventable.