Your ladder should be set up on a firm footing and secured against slippage
Straight ladders should be erected at an angle of approximately 76° (4:1) to the ground or 14° at the top
Step ladders need to be opened fully and ladder locks or braces engaged before climbing
Upper and lower sections of extension ladders should be overlapped to provide stability
Weight of the ladder should be placed squarely on the ladder feet and not on the rungs
Two or more people should be used to erect long or heavy ladders
Using your ladder
Three points of contact must be maintained at all times when climbing
Only one person should be on the ladder at any one time and the weight limit of ladder should not be exceeded
Do not carry tools in your hands while climbing
Hold onto rungs rather than side rails for more safety if a foot slips
Wear appropriate footwear
Work from within the ladder width, center of body (i.e. belt buckle) should not be further than the side rail. Do not overreach as overreaching can lead to the ladder tipping sideways
Face the ladder when going up or down or when working from it
Stand on a rung that is at least 900mm from the top of a single or extension ladder
Stand on or below the second tread below the top plate of any stepladder