Top Ladder Safety Tips for Healthcare Workers 

While facility and maintenance professionals working at hospitals and healthcare practices will already be trained on ladder safety, it’s important to educate office and medical staff who may need to use a ladder from time to time. That is because they may be required to retrieve patient files or medical supplies from high shelves, replace individual ceiling light bulbs or tackle other tasks that will need height.  

Since March is National Ladder Safety Month, it’s a good time to share guidance with workers at hospitals, labs, clinics, physician and dental practices, optical centers, pharmacies and other patient-centered facilities. Below are tips related to safety in ladder design, placement and usage.

Ladder Design: Ladder safety begins with a quality piece of equipment, so look for these four items when picking a ladder.

Strong and Stable Rails – The rails give the ladder its structural support and stability. Today there are advanced ladders that use a triangular tube design to provide superior torsional rigidity, making the ladder more stable. 

Rungs with Grooved Channels – Grooves help disperse dirt and moisture so there’s less chance of slipping. Also, the wider the rung the better. A width of 3 inches or more is a good benchmark. 

A Secure Base and Top – Establishing solid points of contact with the ground and, in the case of leaning ladders, with the wall, is imperative. Anti-slip rubber feet at the base and rubber toppers are two features to look for. Ladders that are more than 11 feet tall should have built-in stabilizers on each leg to enhance the unit’s ground contact.

Certifications and Weight Rating – Quality ladders are tested by third-party agencies to assess their strength and reliability. Look for an ANSI Type 1A ladder that’s certified for heavy duty up to 300 lbs. 

Ladder Placement: Find the most level area possible to set up the ladder. The ladder’s rubber feet should grip the ground and – in the case of leaning ladders – the toppers should grip the wall it’s resting against. 

For a leaning ladder, follow a 4:1 ratio: for every four feet in height, the base of the ladder should be one foot from the wall. The ladder should be placed at a 75-degree angle and the rungs should be level at that angle.

Ladders that are equipped with stabilizers offer additional points of ground contact and stability. In some instances, adjustable safety feet can be added to the ladder. With these feet, the leg height can be set individually to ensure the ladder has full, level contact on uneven surfaces.  

Ensure each rung is locked in place. Some premium ladders have indicator tabs for visual confirmation. 

If it is placed in a high-traffic area, cordon off the space with safety cones so no one accidentally bumps into the ladder. 

Ladder Usage: Never use a ladder when in a hurry. Always take time to assess the situation and surroundings.

• Always face the ladder when climbing up and down. 
• Maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times (two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand). 
• Never climb past the fourth rung from the top on a leaning ladder or the second rung from the top on a step ladder. NEVER climb up to the top step. 
• Hands should always be free while climbing a ladder. Any tools or supplies should be in a tool belt.
• When performing a task while on a ladder, the body should always be positioned inside the rails and avoid overreaching. 

To ensure ladder safety is top of mind and being followed, we encourage you to share a ladder safety video or tips with your facility and office staff and remind them all that the best medicine is prevention. 

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