Ladder Safety Tips — Part 4

Do your field personnel know how to set up ladders for various conditions?

May 7, 2021

2 min read

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It seems simple enough. If you have an extension ladder, extend it and lean it against the wall. What can go wrong?

The ladder is on a rough surface. Ensure the ladder feet can accommodate that, or use a ladder pad. If the ladder cannot be made stable by either method, it should not be used here.
The ladder is on loose gravel. Stomping it down with your feet won’t solve this problem. You will probably need to clear a space to the surface. It may be necessary to secure the ladder with ropes or stakes.
To get sufficient height, the ladder will need to be set at an abnormally steep angle. Get a taller ladder.
Jeff wrapped the top of the ladder rails in rags to prevent marring the wall. Take the rags off; use non-slip “bumpers” made for the purpose.

These are just some of the application issues that can arise. Rather than try to train people on every permutation they might encounter, train them on the principles. In essence, you don’t want the ladder to move once somebody is on it. You can compensate for issues with the surface by any appropriate means. So, how to set it up for various conditions can be reduced to the question of how to ensure it won’t move while in use.

Simply telling people this isn’t enough. Job training needs to include some sample practical problems with the person being trained, explaining the danger and what countermeasures could be taken. Job briefings should also cover the conditions of ladder use, the dangers posed, and solutions implemented.

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.