1. SF Department of Public Health
Occupational Safety & Health
Ladder Safety
Hazard Review
Falls
Slips, trips
Authority: CCR Title 8 Sections 1675-1678
Selection
Ladder Specifications:
Rungs spaced 12 inches apart vertically.
Cleat ladders must not exceed 30 feet in length.
Extension ladders must not exceed 44 feet in length.
Width of ladders must be at least 15 inches and not exceed 20 inches.
Right Length: Determine vertical height from ground level to the point where ladder will
rest against the wall surface. Use the chart below:
Vertical Working Proper Ladder Proper Distance from wall base
Height Length Overlap to ladder base
12 16 3 4
14 18 3 4.5
16 20 3 5
20 24 3 6
24 28 3 7
28 32 3 8
32 36 3 9
34 40 3 10
38 44 4 11
44 50 5 12.5
Adequate Strength: Choose ladder strong enough for the job.
Able to Be Secured: If possible, select a ladder which can be properly secured to a
support using wire or rope.
OSHA Approved: Ladders purchased after July 1, 1992 must have an OSHA approval
label. Label identifies the ladder as being designed and manufactured in accordance
with American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Proper Feet: Ladders should have proper feet for the terrain.
Prohibitions:
Makeshift ladders (scrap wood ladders).
Painted wooden ladders (paint may hide defects or damage).
Pre Use Inspection:
Inspect Ladder: Inspect all ladders each time they are used for the following:
Dirt and grease which may conceal defects.
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2. SF Department of Public Health
Occupational Safety & Health
Ladder Safety
Proper rung to side rail connections. Check for corrosion inside rungs of metal
ladders.
Damaged, missing or loose rungs, side-rails or safety shoes.
Working parts (on extension ladders).
Working hinges, bolts and ropes.
Do Not Use Defective Ladders: Report defective ladders to your supervisor so they
can be repaired or destroyed.
Ladder Set Up
4:1 Ratio: Place straight ladders so the distance from the base of the
wall to the base of the ladder is one quarter the length of the ladder.
Make sure portable straight ladders have safety feet.
3 Feet Above: Extend the ladder a minimum of three feet above top
point of support, unless handholds are provided.
Avoid Power Lines: Make sure your work is not close to any power or
utility lines.
Secure Ladder: Secure all ladders and tie down if possible.
USE WARNING DEVICES. Set up barricades and warning devices when working in
high traffic areas.
Raise Before Extending: Raise extension ladders before extending.
PROVIDE SOLID FOOTING. Place a portable ladder so that both side rails have secure
footing. Provide solid footing on soft ground to prevent the ladder from sinking.
Substantial Base: Always place ladder feet on a solid and level base, not on movable
objects.
FULLY OPEN AND LOCKED. Be sure a stepladder is fully open and the metal spreader
is locked before you start to climb it.
Prohibitions:
Step ladders shall not be used as straight ladders, and must not exceed 20 feet in
length.
Do not use metal ladders when working on or near electrical circuits.
Do not place ladders in front of doors opening toward the ladder, (unless door is
blocked open, locked or guarded).
Do not place a ladder against a window pane or sash.
Never lean a ladder against insecure backing (loose boxes, barrels, etc).
Never use a plank as a platform on the top step of a stepladder.
Do not splice or lash short ladders together.
Do not use ladders during a strong wind.
Do not use ladders in a horizontal position as platforms, runways, or scaffolds.
Do not use ladders on scaffolds or other similar elevated work platform.
LadderSafety.doc 2

3. SF Department of Public Health
Occupational Safety & Health
Ladder Safety
Climbing Ladders:
Clean Shoes & Rungs: Be sure your shoes are not greasy, muddy or slippery before you
climb. Also, be sure rungs are clean and free of grease, mud, water, oils, etc.
ALWAYS FACE THE LADDER.
USE BOTH HANDS AND FEET. Carry small tools in a work-belt. Use a
rope or hand-line to haul heavy tools or other loads up or down.
GRASP SIDERAILS, NOT RUNGS.
TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME.
NEVER SLIDE DOWN LADDER.
NOT HIGHER THAN THIRD RUNG FROM TOP. Do not climb higher than the third rung
from the top on straight or extension ladders or the second tread from the top on
stepladders.
Don't Climb Back Support: Do not use the back supports of stepladders for climbing.
Working From A Ladder
Stay Within Siderails: Keep your body within the side-rails. Do not over-reach.
Both Feet on Ladder: Keep weight over both feet.
One Person at a Time: Allow only one person on the ladder a time -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
DON’T BOUNCE LADDER. Move the ladder as your work progresses. Never "bounce"
a ladder (do not shift ladder position while on a ladder).
SECURE TOOLS. If using tools, be sure to secure your tools so that they can’t fall off and
injure someone below.
LadderSafety.doc 3