# Job Hazard Analysis: Working from ladders URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/general/ladder-use Last updated: 2026-10-23 Crew members use portable fiberglass stepladders (6-ft and 8-ft) and extension ladders (24-ft and 28-ft) for short-duration work at height. This includes layout, fastening, painting, light fixture or trim installation, and inspections, indoors and outdoors. The work may be near overhead power lines, energized circuits, doorways, or active walkways. Use a scaffold or aerial lift instead when the work is long, heavy, or needs both hands for more than a few minutes. > A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts. ## Steps, hazards and controls ### 1. Choose the right ladder and inspect it - **Ladder too short for the job, which leads to standing on the top or overreaching** (High): Eliminate ladder work where you can: use a scaffold, rolling platform, or aerial lift for long or heavy tasks.; Pick a ladder tall enough that you never stand on the top cap or the step below it on a stepladder.; For roof or deck access, the extension ladder must reach at least 3 ft above the landing. - **Damaged ladder: cracked rails, bent rungs, loose rivets, broken spreaders or locks, missing feet** (High): Inspect the ladder before each shift and after any drop or impact.; Tag a damaged ladder 'Do Not Use' and remove it from the site until it is repaired or destroyed.; Clean off mud, oil, paint, and grease from rungs and feet. - **Ladder overloaded past its duty rating** (Medium): Read the label. Add your body weight, tools, and materials. Use Type IA (300 lb) or IAA (375 lb) ladders.; Allow only one person on a ladder at a time. ### 2. Carry the ladder in and set it up - **Contact with overhead power lines or energized wiring** (High): Look up before you carry or raise any ladder. Keep the ladder and yourself at least 10 ft from overhead lines.; Use only fiberglass ladders near electrical work. No aluminum ladders.; Have circuits in the work area shut off and locked out by a qualified person before working near them. - **Ladder slips, kicks out, or tips over** (High): Set the ladder on firm, level ground. Use leg levelers or a wide pad on soft soil. Never use buckets, blocks, or boxes to level it.; Set extension ladders at a 4-to-1 angle: 1 ft out at the base for every 4 ft of height. Tie off the top or have a coworker hold the base.; Open stepladders all the way and lock the spreaders. Never lean a folded stepladder against a wall. - **People, carts, or doors hitting the ladder** (Medium): Lock or block doors near the ladder. Set cones or barricade tape around the base in walkways. - **Back strain or pinched fingers while carrying and extending** (Medium): Use two people to carry and raise extension ladders over 20 ft.; Keep fingers off rungs and locks while extending the fly section. Wear work gloves. ### 3. Climb up and down - **Falling while climbing or descending** (High): Face the ladder and keep 3 points of contact: two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand.; Do not carry tools or materials in your hands. Use a tool belt or pull them up with a hand line.; Wear clean, slip-resistant work boots. Scrape mud off before climbing.; Do not climb the back side of a stepladder or the cross bracing. - **Stepping off onto a roof or landing** (High): Step off only where the ladder extends 3 ft above the landing and is tied off.; Hold the side rails, not the rungs, when getting on and off. ### 4. Work from the ladder - **Overreaching or leaning, which tips the ladder** (High): Keep your belt buckle between the side rails.; Climb down and move the ladder instead of reaching.; Do not push or pull hard from the ladder, like prying, drilling overhead with big bits, or pulling heavy wire. Use a scaffold or lift for that work. - **Shock from power tools, cords, or energized boxes** (High): Plug tools into GFCI protection. Check cords for cuts before use.; Keep cords from wrapping around ladder rungs or your legs.; Verify the circuit is dead with a tester before touching any wiring. - **Tools or materials falling on people below** (Medium): Barricade the area under the ladder. Keep coworkers out of the drop zone.; Use the stepladder's paint shelf only for light items, never as a step. Tether tools when working above people.; Wear a hard hat on the ground and on the ladder. - **Dust or debris in the eyes from overhead drilling or cutting** (Medium): Use a drill dust shroud or vacuum attachment where possible.; Wear safety glasses, and add a face shield for overhead drilling. ### 5. Move the ladder to the next spot - **Ladder falling when 'walked' or shifted with a person on it** (High): Climb all the way down before moving any ladder. Never shift or hop it while standing on it.; Lower extension ladders before moving them. Look up for power lines each time. - **Tools left on top of the ladder falling while moving it** (Medium): Clear the paint shelf and top cap before you move the ladder. ### 6. Take down, store, and clean up - **Tripping over ladders, cords, or debris left in walkways** (Medium): Pick up scrap, fasteners, and cords around the work area at the end of each task.; Store ladders flat on racks or hung on a wall, away from walkways, heat, and weather. - **Ladder falling during transport on a truck** (Medium): Strap ladders to the rack at two points. Flag any overhang longer than 4 ft. ## Required PPE - Hard hat — Wear at all times on site, including on the ladder and in the area below. - Safety glasses — ANSI Z87.1 at all times. Add a face shield for overhead drilling or cutting. - Slip-resistant work boots — Wear boots with a defined heel and clean soles. No sneakers or sandals on ladders. - Work gloves — Wear when carrying, raising, and extending ladders. Use grip gloves that do not make the rails slippery. - Tool belt or tool lanyards — Use these to keep both hands free while climbing and to keep tools from falling. ## Training - Ladder safety training by a competent person before first use. It covers selection, inspection, setup, the 4-to-1 rule, 3-point contact, load ratings, and how to recognize ladder hazards. - Retraining when a worker misuses ladders or when new ladder types are brought on site. - Electrical hazard awareness: overhead line clearance, GFCI use, and staying away from energized parts. - At least one person on site trained in first aid and CPR, with a stocked first aid kit. ## Emergency If someone falls from a ladder: stop work and secure the area. Do not move the injured worker unless they are in danger, such as near live wires. Call 911 and give the full site address and nearest cross street. Send someone to meet the ambulance. Give first aid and CPR if trained, and keep the worker still and warm. If electrical contact is involved, shut off the power before touching the worker. Notify the supervisor right away. ## Official sources - [29 CFR 1926.1053](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.1053) — Ladders - [29 CFR 1926.21](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.21) — Safety training and education - [29 CFR 1926.416](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.416) — Electrical — general requirements - [29 CFR 1926.25](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.25) — Housekeeping - [29 CFR 1926.100](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.100) — Head protection - [29 CFR 1926.102](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.102) — Eye and face protection - [29 CFR 1926.28](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.28) — Personal protective equipment - [29 CFR 1926.50](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.50) — Medical services and first aid --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.