Ladder Safety
Every year, nearly 900 people in Washington State are seriously injured
falling off ladders at work. These injuries include dislocated limbs,
broken bones, head injuries and in a few cases some workers even die from
their injuries. These accidents occur because:
- The ladder moves, falls over, or is set up improperly; or
- The worker slips on the rungs, overreaches, or carries objects while climbing the ladder; or
- The worker stands on the top of the ladder; or
- The ladder is cracked, broken, or in need of repair.
Use the rules and resources on this page to keep your employees safe and working!
Hanging decorations? Ten tips for ladder safety.
General Rules
- Ladders, Portable and Fixed (Chapter 296-876 WAC).
- Scaffolds (Chapter 296-874 WAC).
Rules for Specific Activities or Workplaces
- Agriculture: Ladders, Bulk Storage, Pits, and Trenches (Chapter 296-307, WAC, Part D).
- Demolition: Stairs, Passageways, and Ladders (WAC 296-155-780).
- Fire Fighting: Aerial Ladders (WAC 296-305-04509) and Ground Ladders (WAC 296-305-06005).
- Longshore: Fixed Ladders (WAC 296-56-60209) and Portable Ladders (WAC 296-56-60211).
- Sawmills: Stairways and Ladders (WAC 296-78-71009).
- Shipbuilding, Ship Repairing and Shipbreaking: Ladders (WAC 296-304-05003).
- Telecommunications: Ladders (WAC 296-32-280).
- Sawmills: Stairways and Ladders (WAC 296-78-71009).
- Shipbuilding, Ship Repairing and Shipbreaking: Ladders (WAC 296-304-05003).
- Telecommunications: Ladders (WAC 296-32-280).
Policies
In Adobe Acrobat (
PDF)
format.
- Fixed Ladders Used in Emergencies (WRD 29.65).
Fatality Narratives
In Adobe Acrobat ( PDF)
format.
- Roofer Falls from Extension Ladder When it Collapses.
- Siding Installer Falls from Ladder / (Instalador de paneles laterales se cae de una escalera).
- Specialty Trade Contractor Falls from Ladder / (Contratista de productos especializados se cae de una escalera).
- Carpenter Falls from Stepladder / (Un carpintero se cae de una escalera de mano).
- Laborer Falls from Ladder / (Un operario se cae de una escalera).
Training
- Online Course: Portable Ladder Safety - Introduction, reasons for falls, types of ladders, ratings & labels, composition, training requirements.
- Online Course: Portable Ladder Safety: – Self-supporting ladders, non-self supporting ladders, and special purpose ladders.
Videos
Please read an important message about videos in the DOSH Safety & Health Video
Library.
Important:
Some videos may contain code violations or information inconsistent with Washington State's Safety & Health rules.
Many commercially produced safety and health videos are based on Federal OSHA Standards. Federal OSHA standards may not be as stringent as the Washington State Industrial Safety and Health Standards. Every effort has been made by the library to evaluate the videos before purchasing them. Safety and Health Standards may have changed since the time of purchase. The user assumes the responsibility of previewing the videos before showing and using it with a knowledgeable instructor.
- Don't Fall For It! Ladder Safety (English & Spanish available).
- Tripod Ladder Safety (English & Spanish available).
- Residential Construction Safety (English & Spanish available).
- All videos related to Ladder Safety.
Public Service Announcement video on Ladder Safety
Windows
Media Preview (High-Speed connection).For a list of other safety & health videos, Search L&I's video catalog.
Other Resources
Please read an important message about links on this page.
Important:
"Links" to other information sources are provided as a courtesy, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained beyond files administered by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Links from this page do not represent or imply the endorsement of commercial products by the State of Washington, Labor and Industries, or by departmental staff. For more information, read L&I's Intended Usage policy.
- Construction Contractor Killed by Fall From Ladder (Fatality Investigation Report).
- Factsheets from the Center for Protection of Worker’s Rights-CPWR:
#1 Choosing
and Inspecting Ladders.
#2 Protect
Yourself from Fatal or Crippling Falls.
#3 Setting
Up Portable Ladders.
#4 Climbing
Ladders Safely.
- Falling Off Ladders Can Kill - English & Spanish (1.3 MB PDF / 4 min) (OSHA publication).
- Hanging decorations? Ten tips for ladder safety.
- Injury Fact Sheets:
In Adobe Acrobat ( PDF)
format.
Orchard
Workers - Fall Injuries.
Building
Repair Carpenters - Fall Injuries.
Falls
from Elevation in the Electric Power Utility Industry.
- Ladder Safety Checklist.
- Ladders - A Health & Safety Guideline for Your Workplace
- OSHA's Construction eTool: Ladder Safety.
- OSHA: Youth in Agriculture - Falls from Ladders.
Related Topics
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