Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines
Ladders are the LEAST safe method of working at heights from both a legal and OHS point of view.
Single / extension ladder Stepladder
Ladders should NEVER be used by untrained staff, volunteers, students or contractors where a person can fall 2 metres or more.
Where there is a risk of a person falling 2 metres or more, it is HIGH RISK and a school has specific legal duties under the OHS Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2007 (Part 3.3—Prevention of Falls).
Under the OHS Regulations 2007 there is a hierarchy of control measures for working at heights that are prioritised from the most effective to the least effective control method :
 Level 1 controls are the most effective method and are usually the cheapest method over the long term.
They entail working from the ground (or a solid construction) without using ladders, chairs, tables, etc.
Instead they involve standing on the ground and using ropes and pulleys, long handled poles and other devices.
 Level 2 controls (the second safest method) involve the use of passive fall prevention devices such as scaffolds, step platforms, guardrailing, elevated work platforms, work boxes or safety mesh. Depending on the circumstances, step platforms may be an economical Level 2 method for working at heights.
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Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines
Level 3 controls (the third safest method) use work-positioning systems such as travel-restraint systems or industrial rope-access systems. Such systems should only be used by qualified trade people using suitable equipment.
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Level 4 controls (the fourth safest method) use fall-arrest systems such as safety-harness systems or catch platforms. Such systems should only be used by qualified trade people using suitable equipment.
After considering all of the above, if no reasonably practicable control measure has been identified, a level 5 control may be used.
Level 5: Undertake the work from ladders or implement an administrative control - the fifth safest method.
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Establish emergency procedures and First Aid provision prior to undertaking the task.
Require contractors to have documented safe systems of work such as Job Safety Analysis (JSAs) or Safe
Work Method Statements (SWMSs).
Require contractors to have industrially rated ladders that are compliant with AS/NZS 1892.
Require contractors to regularly inspect their ladders, and
Require contractors to follow their documented safe systems of work.
If the risk of fall is LESS than two metres:
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Develop and document procedures on how to manage the hazard.
Train staff on how to work safely and keep records of training.
Most ladder-related injuries occur as a result of falls from low heights.
Sideways tipping is the cause of most stepladder injuries, and this risk increases higher the person is up the ladder.
Other causes include:
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Extension ladders slipping either at the top or bottom
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Extension ladders flipping over or coming away at the top
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Overstretching by the user
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Faulty ladders
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Slipping or losing your footing
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Stepladders wobbling due to missing feet or not being correctly open
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Person working side-on with a ladder
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Poor footwear such as long laces, thongs, sandals, worn shoes and high heels
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Unauthorised or untrained people using ladders
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Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines
Ways of to reduce the risk with ladders include:
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Purchase the correct type of ladder
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Inspect the ladder each time before use
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Check the location and the environment where you are setting up the ladder
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Set up the ladder correctly
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Use safe working practices
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Store the ladder correctly after use
Purchasing the correct type of ladder can help to reduce falls:
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Industrially rated ladders with sufficient weight bearing capacity are preferred to domestically rated ladders.
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Ladders that comply with AS/NZS 1892 are legally required for working at heights of 2 metres or more.
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Fibreglass ladders are preferable where there is a risk of electrocution.
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Steps on the ladder should be of an appropriate width, strength and depth.
Inspect ladders each time before use for:
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Missing, damaged or worn anti-slip feet on ladders (essential for good grip)
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Stones, grease, dirt, etc, stuck in the ladder feet preventing the feet from directly contacting the ground
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Mud, grease or oil either on the rungs or the stiles (the sides) making them slippery
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Cracks in the rungs or stiles of the ladder
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Missing, broken or weakened rungs
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Missing or damaged tie rods
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Cracked or damaged welds and missing or loose screws, fasteners or rivets
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Unauthorised repairs
A damaged or inappropriate ladder should be destroyed or removed from the school ASAP.
Set up ladders on clean, level and firm footing and free from anything that may cause the ladder to slip such as slippery surfaces, wet areas, moss, loose bricks, etc.
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Do NOT set up a ladder where someone can fall off it (or the ladder can tip over) onto rocks, broken bricks, glass, spikes, sharp objects or corners, posts, etc.
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Do NOT set up or use ladders during poor weather such as high wind, rain or hail.
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Do NOT use a metal or metal-reinforced ladder when working on live electrical installations, where the ladder can contact powerlines or where electricity can arc from a powerline to the ladder.
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Do not place a ladder within 6m of an overhead power line (unless the lines have been temporarily disconnected or insulated).
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Do NOT set up a ladder in places (such as driveways, windows and doorways) where a person or vehicle could hit it (If necessary, erect a barrier or lock the door shut).
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Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines
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Do NOT use a ladder near the edge of an open floor, a hole or on scaffolding to gain extra height.
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Do NOT place a ladder on slippery or loose materials such as moss, oil, grease or plastic packaging.
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Do NOT set up a ladder in areas exposed to poor weather such as rain, high winds, hail or snow.
Make sure the ladder is high enough and NEVER stand a ladder on boxes, bricks, tables, chairs, etc, to gain extra height.
For stability, extension ladders should be erected at an angle of 75° i.e. according to the 1 in 4 rule (1 unit out for every 4 units up).
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Make sure the ladder extends at least 1 m (or three rungs) above where you will be working.
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Do NOT place the top of an extension ladder against a fragile surface such as plastic guttering or glazing as this might give way.
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Do NOT stand on the top three rungs of the ladder.
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Do NOT place extension ladders on sloping surfaces especially if the surface is wet. The rungs should always look horizontal and appropriate levelling devices may be used.
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Check all four feet of the ladder are in contact with the ground.
Position stepladders with the rungs facing the work activity and not side-on.
Do NOT use the top two steps of a stepladder unless it has a suitable handrail.
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Face the ladder when climbing up and down.
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Use both hands to grip the ladder whenever possible.
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Go up or down one rung one at a time and do not rush.
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Try to maintain three points of contact at all times (e.g. both feet and one hand).
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Make sure the lighting is adequate for the task.
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Wear sensible footwear - avoid thongs, slippers, high heels, dangling laces, damaged or slippery shoes, etc.
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Wear clothing that will not get caught and avoid jewellery that can get caught.
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Watch where you place your feet when working as many people fall when nearing the bottom.
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Keep one hand free to grip the ladder if you are carrying an item up or down.
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Make sure your vision is NOT restricted by goggles, face shields, respirators, etc, or reflective glare off surfaces.
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Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines
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Do NOT do strenuous work - only do light-duty, short duration work which has been approved by a responsible person.
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Do NOT use ladders if you have a medical condition, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol or medication.
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Do NOT use metal ladders that will conduct electricity when working on or close to electrical equipment that is live or may become live (Use fibreglass ladders instead).
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Do NOT carry heavy or awkward shaped objects on a ladder.
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Do NOT overreach and keep your belt buckle (navel) inside the stiles and both feet on the rung.
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Do NOT use any power (air, hydraulic, electric or battery) tool designed for two hands or which may require the operator to brace against the torque from the tool.
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Do NOT carry out hot work such as arc welding or oxy cutting.
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Do NOT use hand tools such as axes, crowbars or pinch bars which may cause the user to overbalance or fall from the ladder
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Do NOT work above other people
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Do NOT allow 2 or more people to be on the ladder at the same time.
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Do NOT throw things from ladders.
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Do NOT use when heavy rain, dew, extreme heat or cold or wind are present.
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Where possible tie a ladder to prevent it from slipping at the top, the bottom or both, making sure both stiles are tied.
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Never tie a ladder by its rungs.
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Do NOT stand on a rung closer than 900mm to the top of a single or extension ladder or stand higher than the second tread below the top plate of any stepladder.
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Hold on with both hands when climbing up and down.
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Fully open the legs before use.
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Always make sure you have an available handhold. This means having a suitable handrail or not working off the top two or three rungs, depending on the design of the stepladder.
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Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines
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Avoid working side-on from a stepladder, especially when applying force.
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Do NOT use stepladders to access other levels, such as a roof, as they can become unstable when you step on or off them.
Ladders should be stored:
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Horizontally on hooks at waist height in a secure area when not being used.
Securely to prevent unauthorised use and damage.
Keep track of each ladder used in your school.
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Ladder Inspection Checklist
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CECV website: Fall Prevention Guideline
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Prevention of falls in general construction (Compliance Code - published by WorkSafe Victoria)
OHS Act 2004 & OHS Regulations 2007 (Part 3.3—Prevention of Falls)
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