National Ladder Safety Month 2023: Three Considerations for Selecting the Correct Ladder

March is National Ladder Safety Month, let’s look at ladder selection.

Before you get started on your next project, you have to choose a ladder, but how do you know what type to choose?

With different types and materials to choose from, the options may be overwhelming. Thankfully, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) provides some guidance and factors to consider.

Environment

The location and surroundings of where the ladder will be used are important to consider. Will there be any uneven surfaces? Will it be a crowded area? Are there other factors you need to account for? If any electrical lines are nearby, ALI notes to not use a metal ladder.

Length

When picking a ladder, ensure that it’s neither too short nor too tall as both can be hazardous. If you’re considering a step ladder, know that the top cap should not be used as a step, and for extension ladders, you never want it to exceed “more than three feet beyond the upper support point,” ALI said.

Extension ladders should also be set up using the 4:1 rule: When the ladder height reaches four feet, the ladder must be moved one foot away from the structure, with this pattern continuing every additional four feet reached.

Duty Rating

As workers will be using the ladder, it’s essential to take into account the duty rating, which represents how much weight the ladder can hold. There’s a simple equation you can use to determine what duty rating is best for your project. You’ll need to know the weights of the worker, any clothing and equipment and the tools and supplies, per the ALI. Once you have these numbers, add them all together and find the corresponding duty rating.

• A ladder with a type III duty rating can support 200 pounds.
• A ladder with a type II duty rating can support 225 pounds.
• A ladder with a type I duty rating can support 250 pounds.
• A ladder with a type IA duty rating can support 300 pounds.
• A ladder with a type IAA duty rating can support 375 pounds.

A Bonus: Personal Preference

After all of the previously listed elements are considered, there are still more questions you can ask yourself. According to the American National Standards Institute, you may want to also think about personal preference and “practical concerns.” Do you want to be able to easily transport the ladder? Is storage a concern? Does appearance matter?

Celebrated every March, National Ladder Safety Month—led by the ALI—focuses on education and awareness of ladder use.

*Thanks to our friends at Occupational Health and Safety for content in this article