603 Stairway and Ladder Safety

Types of Ladders

Two Basic Types of Ladders

There are two basic types of ladders:

1. Portable Ladders: Portable ladders are moveable and can be carried and positioned wherever needed. They come in various forms, such as step ladders, extension ladders, and folding ladders. Portable ladders are used for tasks like maintenance, repairs, and reaching high objects. They must be placed on a stable surface and inspected regularly to ensure safety.
2. Fixed Ladders: Fixed ladders are permanently attached to a structure, such as a building or a piece of equipment. These ladders are typically made of metal and are used for tasks requiring regular access to certain areas (e.g., rooftops or machinery). OSHA requires fixed ladders over 24 feet to have fall protection systems in place.

Both types of ladders have specific safety requirements, such as proper positioning, use of personal fall protection, and regular inspection to prevent accidents.

Ladders are often the first tool we choose when working at an elevation. This may explain why more workers are injured in falls from ladders than from any other elevated surface - roofs, scaffolds, balconies, even stairs. Why do workers fall from ladders?

Most falls happen because workers select the wrong type of ladder for their job or they set up the ladder improperly and the ladder shifts or slips unexpectedly. Workers also fall when they're not working safely on the ladder - their foot slips, they lose their balance, they overreach, or something knocks the ladder over.

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