Ladder safety involves several key aspects to prevent falls and injuries. Here's a breakdown of important guidelines:

Ladder Selection & Condition:

• Ladders should be appropriate for the task and inspected before each use by a competent person 1, 2, 5.
• Ensure ladders are free of grease, oil, or other slipping hazards 1, 7.
• Ladders with structural defects (e.g., broken rungs, split rails) must be tagged as "Dangerous: Do Not Use" and removed from service until repaired or replaced 2, 3, 11.
• Wooden ladders should not be coated with materials that could obscure structural defects, and metal ladders should be corrosion-resistant [1].
• Ladders should be able to withstand 4 times the maximum load likely to be imposed on them [2].
• Ladders should be designed, constructed, used and maintained to perform its function safely [3].

Ladder Usage & Positioning:

• Always face the ladder when climbing or descending 1, 2, 3.
• Maintain 3-point contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) when climbing 4, 11.
• Ladders should be used only on stable and level surfaces unless secured to prevent accidental displacement 7, 10.
• The top of a non-self-supporting ladder should have both rails supported 3, 10.
• Ladders should not be moved, shifted, or extended while occupied 3, 10.
• The user shall not carry any object or load that could cause the employee to lose balance and fall 3, 10.
• When portable ladders are used for access to an upper landing surface, the ladder side rails shall extend at least 3 feet (.9 m) above the upper landing surface 7, 8, 10.
• The ladder is placed against the structure so that the slope of the ladder is 1 horizontal to 4 vertical [4].

Specific Ladder Types:

• Fixed Ladders: Designed, constructed, installed, and maintained according to ANSI A14.3 standards [2].
• Portable Ladders: If manufactured after July 1, 2009, they must meet CSA or ANSI standards [5].
• Stepladders: The top or top step of a stepladder shall not be used as a step 3, 10. Cross-bracing on the rear section of stepladders shall not be used for climbing unless the ladders are designed and provided with steps for climbing on both front and rear sections [6].
• Extension Ladders: Extension ladders shall be equipped with necessary guide irons, locks, and hooks and shall be assembled so that the sliding (upper) section shall be on top of the base (lower) section [7].

Fall Protection:

• In some cases, a personal fall arrest system is required when working from a portable ladder at heights of 3 meters or more [5].

Electrical Safety:

• Ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment 3, 5.

Training:

• Employers must provide training programs for employees using ladders and stairways [7].
• Training should cover hazard recognition, proper ladder procedures, and the standards related to ladders and stairways [7].