The Golden Rules of Ladder Safety

Injuries caused by improper use of a ladder an all-too-common occurrence. According to a recent study published by American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the number of ladder-related accidents doubled from 1990 to 2005. Some of these injuries are minor, consisting of small cuts and bruises, while others are more severe, such as broken bones and dislocations. Following a few 'golden rules' when using a ladder, however, can drastically reduce one's chance of injury.

Rule #1) Maintain Three Points of Contact When Climbing

Whether you're going up or going down, it's critical that you maintain three points of contact at all times. This naturally helps to maintain your balance, which in turn reduces the chance of injury. You can maintain three points of contact with either two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands.

Rule #2) Keep Ladder On Floor

A second rule is to NEVER place your ladder on unstable objects like boxes, chairs or tables. Instead, keep your ladder planted securely on the ground. If your ladder doesn't reach, pull out the extension for additional height. Just remember to engage the locking mechanism on your ladder's extension before climbing up.

And if it still doesn't reach, you may need to find a different ladder. Using boxes or other objects as the base for your ladder is an accident waiting to happen.

Rule #3) 75 Degree Angle

A good rule of thumb is to set your ladder at a 75-degree angle. This is a 'happy medium' that encourages stability and a proper center of balance. One of the biggest mistakes people make when using a ladder is placing it vertically up against a building. If a ladder is completely vertical, common sense should tell you that it's not secure.

Rule #4) One Person at a Time!

Another golden ladder rule is to restrict its use to a single person. Even if the weight of two people falls under the max weight for the ladder, having multiple people using the ladder at once creates a dangerous scenario. If both parties decided to shift their body in the same direction simultaneously, the ladder's center of gravity could be knocked off balance, sending everyone tumbling to the ground below.

"Ladders should be treated with the same respect and caution as any potentially dangerous tool, such as a power saw," said Ohio State University professor Gary Smith.