Setting Up an Extension Ladder
Pick the ladder
Right type, enough height and a duty rating that covers you plus tools and material.
Inspect it
Rails, rungs, feet, locks and labels. Damaged? Tag it and take it out of service.
Set the angle
About 1 foot out at the base for every 4 feet of working height — the 4-to-1 rule.
Extend and secure
Extend at least 3 feet above the landing and tie off or secure the top and base.
Climb right
Face the ladder, keep three points of contact and carry tools on a belt or haul them up.
Course Objectives
Select the right ladder type, duty rating and length for the job
Inspect ladders and remove damaged ones from service
Set up ladders at the correct angle with stable footing and secured tops
Climb and work while keeping three points of contact and your belt buckle between the rails
Which Standard Applies
| Setting | Standard | Training note |
|---|---|---|
| General industry (plants, shops, yards) | 29 CFR 1910.23 | Fall hazard training under 1910.30 |
| Construction sites | 29 CFR 1926.1053 | Training by a competent person under 1926.1060 |
Ladders Around Cranes
Most mobile cranes have built-in steps, handholds and walkways for getting onto the carrier and upper. Using them as designed — rather than climbing tires, outrigger beams or boom sections — is part of the same three-points discipline this course teaches. During assembly, crews also work at height on boom pins and counterweight, where a portable ladder may not be the safest choice; a lift or proper fall protection may be needed instead.
The special-situations lesson covers ladders near doorways and traffic, two-person tasks and, critically, electrical hazards: use non-conductive side rails near energized equipment and never carry or raise a metal ladder near overhead lines. Pair this with personal fall arrest training when the work goes beyond ladder use, and with slips, trips and falls for ground-level hazards.
Who Should Enroll
- Crane assembly crews
- Riggers and ironworkers
- Maintenance technicians
- Electricians' helpers
- Warehouse staff
- Facility workers
Site-specific training still required
On construction sites, OSHA expects ladder training from a competent person who can address the actual ladders and conditions. Employers remain responsible for that and for providing safe ladders.