Falls from portable ladders account for the largest share of ladder-related fatalities in construction nationwide. In New York City, where workers regularly access upper floors of mid-rises using extension ladders in tight exterior spaces, ladder discipline is a matter of life and death. No tool on this site requires more respect than the portable ladder.

• Rails: No cracks, splits, dents, bends, or corrosion
• Rungs: All rungs present and tight — no missing, loose, or bent rungs. Check welds at rung-rail joint
• Feet (ladder shoes): Rubber feet intact and not deteriorated — slippery feet on smooth concrete are a common cause of base slip
• Locks and spreaders: On stepladders, all spreader braces must fully lock open before use
• Extension ladder: rope/pulley and rung locks must engage properly. Overlap must meet minimums: up to 32 ft: 3 ft overlap; 32–36 ft: 4 ft; 36–48 ft: 5 ft
• Any defective ladder must be tagged OUT OF SERVICE and removed from the site — not "set aside to fix later"

• The base of the ladder must be set out 1 foot for every 4 feet of height — this is the 4:1 (75°) angle that provides maximum stability
• Ladder must extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface at the top — 36 inches of rungs above the roof or floor edge
• Secure the top of the ladder to the structure before climbing — tie off with a strap or have someone foot the ladder until secured
• Place the base on a firm, level surface. On soft soil, use a ladder leveler or base plate
• Set ladders away from doorways and traffic lanes, or barricade the area

• Always maintain three points of contact — two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand
• Face the ladder when climbing up and down — never turn your back to descend
• Do not carry materials while climbing — use a tool belt, rope line, or material hoist
• Do not work from the top two rungs of a stepladder or the top three rungs of an extension ladder
• Do not reach beyond the rails — keep your belt buckle between the rails at all times