Portable Ladder Safety

Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH)

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Simply a Safer Way

Cal/OSHA Video - Protect yourself when using portable ladders in construction - to download, right-click link and "Save Target As..." (mpg, 12.2MB). A transcript of the video is also provided.
Cal/OSHA Poster - Protect yourself when using portable ladders in construction (English/Spanish) (pdf, 393KB)
Cal/OSHA Pamphlet - Poratable Ladder Safety in Construction (pdf, 305KB). Text-only file
WorkSafe BC Video - Falls from Ladders
WorkSafe BC Video - Ladder Safety
WorkSafe BC Publication - Construction Safety Series (pdf, 393KB)
Ohio State University Extension - Purchase and Proper Use of Ladders
OSHA Construction eTool - Ladder Safety
OSHA pamphlet - Stairways and Ladders - A Guide to OSHA Rules

Two Basic Types

Portable ladders are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment in industry. They are easy to carry, versatile and used in a variety of jobs. There are two basic types of portable ladders (which can be made of metal, wood, plastic or fiberglass) which are:

1. Not self supporting - straight and extension ladders
2. Self supporting - stepladders

Not self supporting and Self supporting ladders

Reasons why accidents occur with ladders include workers not being trained on their proper use, improper positioning, unsafe work practices, using the wrong ladder for the specific job or using ladders with defects. For standards on ladder design and safe use see the link below.

Using ladders safely involves:

Ladder Regulations and Design Standards