How Falls from Ladders Occur
Most workers fall from unstable ladders that shift or tilt when the workers climb too high or reach too far beyond the side rails.
Workers also fall when they slip on rungs while they're climbing or descending and when vehicles strike the ladders.
Keep the following in mind to stay safe when you use a portable ladder:
- select the most appropriate ladder for the task;
- inspect the ladder before using it; make sure it's in good condition;
- angle straight ladders and extension ladders properly with a 75-degree or 1:4 slope (base to height);
- protect the base of a ladder to prevent others from accidentally striking it;
- Select a ladder that will extend at least 3 feet (36 inches) above the landing point;
- If the ladder could be displaced by work activities, secure it;
- face the ladder when you climb or descend it using the three-point-control method;
- stay within the side rails when climbing or working from the ladder;
- if you do reach out to the side, keep the rest of your body within the rails;
- raise and lower heavy loads with a hand line or a hoist;
- make sure metal ladders have steps and rungs with skid-resistant surfaces;
- allow only one person on the ladder;
- never stand on to top rung of the ladder;
- never use ladders that have conductive side rails near exposed energized equipment; and
- never use ladders on scaffolds to extend reach.
Required Ladder Safety Training
Before workers use ladders, a competent person must train them so that they understand:
- the nature of the fall hazards in the work area;
- how to use, place, and care for ladders; and
- maximum intended load-carrying capacities of the ladders.
During an Oregon OSHA inspection at a residential construction site performing two-story framing work, inspectors observed portable ladder use that created a predictable fall hazard. A ladder used for access to an upper landing did not extend at least 3 feet above the landing, making mounting and dismounting unstable. Inspectors also found a ladder with a broken anti-slip device still in service instead of being removed or tagged out.
These conditions reflect the most common ways ladder falls occur: unstable ladders that shift or tilt (often from poor angle/setup, climbing too high, or reaching too far), and slips on rungs during ascent or descent. The inspection also suggested a lack of site-level controls to prevent ladder displacement from work activity or foot traffic near the base.
No injuries were reported at the time, but Oregon OSHA determined the hazards presented a high risk of serious injury or death if continued.
What went wrong:
- Unsafe access: The ladder did not extend 3 feet above the landing, increasing the chance of losing balance during transitions.
- Defective equipment: A broken anti-slip device was ignored, increasing the risk of base movement and sudden ladder shift.
- Poor setup discipline: Conditions indicated weak enforcement of proper ladder angle (1:4 slope / ~75 degrees) and ladder securing when displacement is possible.
- Training gap: The observed practices were consistent with workers not being trained—or not applying training—on three-point control and staying within side rails.
How to prevent a repeat:
- Select the right ladder for the task and make sure it’s in good condition before use.
- Set straight/extension ladders at about a 75-degree angle (a 1:4 slope, base to height).
- Use a ladder that extends at least 3 feet (36 inches) above the landing; if the ladder could be displaced, secure it.
- Protect the base so it can’t be struck or bumped; keep the work area clear of traffic and moving materials.
- Climb facing the ladder using three-point control, stay within the side rails, and do not stand on the top rung.
- Raise heavy tools/materials with a hand line or hoist—don’t carry awkward loads while climbing.
Required ladder safety training:
- A competent person must train workers on the nature of ladder fall hazards in the work area.
- Workers must understand how to properly use, place, and care for ladders.
- Training must cover maximum intended load capacities and what “overloading” really looks like on a jobsite.
Bottom line: ladder falls usually aren’t “bad luck.” They’re basic setup and behavior failures—wrong angle, wrong access height, overreaching, or using junk equipment. Good training plus strict enforcement fixes most of it.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-2. If the upper landing point is 12 feet high, how many feet should you place the ladder away from the landing point?
You forgot to answer the question!