Ladder Safety

Welcome

Hello, and welcome. This is Super Structures General Contractors — a national general contractor headquartered in Powhatan, Virginia — here to help you and your clients build something that lasts. We're glad you're with us, and we look forward to connecting with you.

Let's dig into Ladder Safety. Here's what it really comes down to: Inspect, keep three points of contact, set the 4:1 angle, don't overreach, and use fiberglass near electricity. Stick with me — by the end, this just clicks.

The humble ladder hurts more people than almost anything — because everyone thinks it's nothing.

Ladders cause a huge number of construction injuries — and almost all are preventable.

Use them right

• Inspect before use; tag and remove damaged ladders.
• Keep three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand).
• Set extension ladders at the 4:1 angle — 1 foot out at the base for every 4 feet of height — and extend 3 feet above the landing.
• Secure the ladder and don't overreach (keep your belt buckle between the rails).
• Use the right ladder — fiberglass (non-conductive) near electricity.

Going Deeper (Intermediate)

Ladders cause huge numbers of injuries because they feel trivial. The rules (Subpart X):

• Extension ladders at 4:1 — base out 1 ft for every 4 ft of height.
• Extend 3 ft above the landing and tie off the top.
• Three points of contact, face the ladder, don't carry loads in your hands (use a hoist/tool belt).
• Don't stand on the top two rungs of a stepladder; lock the spreaders.
• Inspect for cracks/bent rails; right duty rating for the load.

Advanced / Pro-Level

The details that prevent the fall:

• Duty ratings: Type IAA (375 lb) > IA (300) > I (250) > II (225) > III (200) — rate for worker + tools + materials.
• Material matters: never use a metal/wet ladder near electrical work — use fiberglass (Class E rated).
• Setup: level footing, slip-resistant feet, secured top and bottom; in walkways, barricade or guard the door.
• The real risk is overreach — keep your belt buckle inside the rails; get down and move the ladder rather than lean. Most ladder falls are from misuse and overreach, not equipment failure.

Practice Challenge

You set an extension ladder to reach a roof edge 16 ft up. How far out should the base be, and how far above the edge should it extend? (Answer: base 4 ft out (4:1), and the ladder should extend 3 ft above the landing and be tied off at the top.)

In Practice

Set an extension ladder too vertical and it kicks out; too flat and it bows. The 4:1 rule — 1 foot out for every 4 up — keeps it stable. And keep your belt buckle between the rails.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong ladder angle (not 4:1)
• Overreaching instead of moving the ladder
• Using a metal ladder near electricity

From the Field

A personal word from a builder who's been there:

Set it at the right angle (one out for every four up), tie off the top, and keep three points of contact going up and down. Don't overreach — if you're leaning, get down and move it. Use fiberglass near electrical, never metal. Almost every ladder fall comes from rushing, so slow down.

Takeaway: Inspect, keep three points of contact, set the 4:1 angle, don't overreach, and use fiberglass near electricity.

⚠️ Educational overview — NOT official OSHA certification. Get formal training from an authorized trainer and follow current OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926) and your employer's program.