When ascending or descending a ladder, face the ladder and take only one step at a time with your feet in the center of the steps. Grab the rungs of the ladder, not the side rails. The rungs are easier to hold on to if your footing slips. Do not try to move, shift or extend a ladder while you are on it by rocking, shifting or pushing it away from a supporting wall.
Overreaching is the most common cause of falls from ladders. A good rule of thumb is to always keep your belt buckle inside the rails of the ladder. When you can no longer reach comfortably and safely from this position, get down and move the ladder to a new position. Do not stand higher than the second step from the top of a stepladder or the third rung from the top of a portable ladder. The higher you go on a ladder, the greater the possibility it will slip out from its base.
Never carry heavy or bulky loads up the ladder. The extra, awkward weight can cause you to fall. Climb up first by yourself, and then pull up the material with a rope or carry tools in your tool belt. Never climb a ladder one-handed. Do not leave tools or materials on top of ladders. If they fall on you, you can be hurt. If they fall on someone else, you and the company can be sued.
If you get sick, dizzy or panicky while on a ladder, do not try to climb down in a hurry. Wait! Drape your arms around the rungs and rest your head against the ladder until you feel better. Then climb down slowly and carefully. If you do not feel better, call for help.