Title: Scaffolding & Ladder Safety
Type: Lesson
Falls from scaffolds and ladders are among the most common and preventable causes of serious injuries and deaths in construction.
These tools seem simple, but one mistake — a missed inspection, poor setup, or skipped guardrail — can be fatal.
Scaffolds must be:
Designed by a qualified person
Inspected daily by a competent person
Capable of supporting 4 times the intended load
Fully planked, with guardrails and toe boards if more than 10 feet above a lower level
Safe Access must be provided — ladders, ramps, or stair towers
Never climb on cross braces, or use makeshift planks
Ladders must be:
Free from defects (cracks, missing steps, loose parts)
Placed on stable, level surfaces
Set at the correct angle: 1 foot out for every 4 feet up
Extended 3 feet above the landing if used for access
Face the ladder and maintain 3 points of contact
Don’t carry tools or materials while climbing
Don’t use top step of a step ladder
Inspect scaffolds and ladders before each use
Don’t exceed load ratings
Keep surfaces clean and dry
Don’t use ladders near power lines
Tag and remove unsafe equipment from service immediately
Scaffold and ladder incidents are nearly always preventable. Use the equipment correctly, inspect it daily, and don’t improvise.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 8: Tools – Hand and Power, where we’ll cover the safe use and inspection of construction tools.