How to Use Ladders Safely | Ask This Old House

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and TOH TV host Kevin O'Connor show the proper techniques for using all types of ladders.

Steps for How to Use Ladders Safely:
1. Ladders made from wood and fiberglass are preferred by electricians because they don't conduct electricity.
2. Aluminum ladders are lighter and less expensive than comparable wood and fiberglass ladders. However, don't use aluminum ladders around electrical wires because they conduct electricity.
3. Never exceed a ladder's maximum weight rating, which includes the total weight of you and all the materials and tools you're carrying.
4. It's best to store ladders indoors, away from the harmful effects of the elements.
5. Thoroughly inspect any ladder before using it. Check wood ladders for cracked rungs, broken rails, or loose, wobbly connections.
6. On fiberglass ladders, check to be sure the rails aren't fraying and aren't cracked or punched with holes.
7. Inspect aluminum ladders to ensure the rails aren't bent, twisted, creased, or deformed in any way.
8. When climbing a ladder, keep your hips centered within the rails. Don't overreach too far to the left or right.
9. Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder: two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet.
10. Wear a tool belt so that both hands are free to grab the rungs.
11. Stepladders are designed to be used in the spread-open position. Never lean a stepladder against a wall.
12. Don't stand on the top step, the very top of the ladder, or the paint-can tray. And never climb up the rear of the ladder.
13. To stand up an extension ladder, have a helper brace the bottom of the ladder with his or her feet, or simply set the ladder against the house's foundation.
14. Raise the ladder by pushing it up rung by rung to the upright position.
15. Grab the bottom of the ladder and walk it away from the house.
16. To achieve the proper climbing angle, position the bottom of the ladder a distance from the house that's equal to one-fourth the ladder's height. For example, if the ladder is 16 feet tall, set its base 4 feet from the house.
17. Another way to confirm the proper ladder angle is to stand upright with your toes against the base of the ladder. Reach straight out with both arms. If you can grab the rung without leaning forward or bending your arms, then the ladder is at the proper angle.
18. When working on soft terrain, pivot the extension-ladder feet to a vertical position and push them down into the ground.
19. If the ladder is equipped with adjustable levelers, use them to steady the ladder on uneven terrain.
20. To extend an extension ladder, start by moving the ladder out away from the wall. Then, pull on the rope with one hand and push up on the ladder with the other. Be sure both rung locks are engaged before climbing.
21. Attach a stabilizer to the top of an extension ladder to increase stability and provide easier access to the wall.
22. An articulating ladder can be locked into various configurations, and can be used as a straight ladder, stepladder, extension ladder and trestle ladder.
23. When using an articulating ladder, be sure all locks are fully engaged before climbing.
24. If, at any time, you feel uncomfortable, unsteady, or hesitant, stay off of ladders. It's not worth risking serious injury or worse.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Use Ladders Safely | Ask This Old House

[bassnazi]

The part that always gets me is the huge ape at the top throwing barrels down at me.

[bigdaddycros]

Watched a dozen of these. None talk about the hardest thing. The proper or safest way of getting on and off ladder at roof line.

[NoahStephens]

This Old House is the home-owning dad you never had. Thanks, guys.

[casinocashhsac]

What a great show I was growing up as a young kid when Bob vila was on this old house.

[janetgray]

these guys from this old house have my fullest confidence really trust them!

[EngageYourFrontalLobe]

The rule of “three points of contact” also applies (of course) to rock climbing. Thx for the video!

Also the rule of angles helps a lot!

[jcha]

Honestly I didn't think I would learn anything watching this but I did. Never though about working a ladder with fiberglass and electricity. Thanks guys!

[stevewilliams]

one suggestion is to tie your extending rope to a rung before mounting. If you can, lash the bottom and top of the ladder to what you are ascending. Use a ladder wedge for leveling the rails. Use boots that have at least a half inch heel and steel reinforced soles to avoid getting "bird feet"or slipping off the rung. If you work on a ladder for any length of time consider getting a ladder platform. when mounting a roof from a ladder have at least two rungs extended above the edge.

[marienkablack]

Thanks very much guys. I just bought an 8m extension ladder and this video clarified for me how to start using it today. I was a bundle of nerves before.

[lilturk]

My thing is this, how do you become more comfortable being on a ladder if you are supposed to just stay off of it? I started working construction about 6 months ago, and when I first started I was terrified of being 30 feet in the air on a ladder, but after forcing myself do get up there over and over I now feel completely fine up there.

[concerned_]

One thing I didn't see mentioned and it is stamped on the side of the ladder:, When raising or moving a ladder, always, always look up. In addition to being electrocuted even with wrapped lines, you could snag a line or branch and lose stability causing the ladder to fall and strike someone.

[janesmith]

Very useful. I have just given up because I decided I was unsafe but the video helped me. I have a very very high house and am not comfortable once I get my double ladders extended up there particularly even with the device to keep me back a bit from the guttering. It annoying as I have no fear of heights and someone would charge me a lot toclear an awful lot of high guttering but I just feel unsafe and the video helped me make up my mind and my experiment after watching it. I did learn a fair bit from my father about ladders too and alwys remember the day my husband fell from the top cutting the very high hedge, but luckily on to very soft grass so no need for the emergency room.

[samstan]

Thank you for the video..very informative..used to watch this old house with my dad in the 90s

[jf]

This is a great video. Thank you guys...I just started working with roofers and this is so helpful because most workers don't give you the full version of ladder safety.

[smashogre]

6:55 Worth the price of admission right there.

[siobhanrachel]

Guys these are extremely helpful thank you so much, nice humans 🙏🏽

[jayumble]

Tom Silva is such a master and should be respected as much as someone respects a surgeon. Kudos to you Tommy!!!

[rawbacon]

A ladder is the one thing that almost did me in, fortunately with a little luck I started to breath again and walked away with just a massive bruise across my whole chest.

[KeykoEstrada]

I love how you explain how to set up the ladder by yourself with help lol 😂. Very helpful video though thank you.

[bethrichardson]

Good tips: 3:20 to 3:34 “ If these rails are bent at all they are weakened.” 3:47 to 4:09 —about three points of contact and using a toolbelt so you can maintain the three points of contact. 8:20 Explains the value of a stabilizer (AKA standoff).