Home / Falls / Ladder Safety Basics

Ladder Safety Basics

Ladders are among the most ordinary tools on a farm, and falls from them are a recognized source of serious injury. Good habits cost little and are the same whether you climb once a year or every day.

Why do ladder falls happen on farms?

Farm ladders live hard lives. They sit in dusty sheds, get splashed with manure or silage juice, ride in truck beds and lean against uneven ground. Falls usually come from a small mismatch: the wrong ladder for the job, a ladder that was damaged, a base that moved, or a climber who was rushed, tired or carrying too much.

Nobody plans to fall. The habits below are about removing the small mismatches before they add up. OSHA and NIOSH both publish farm fall-prevention material, and it is worth reading once so you know what the official guidance looks like.

Think about the moments when ladder work happens: end of a long day, in a hurry before weather, or when a part fails and the whole operation waits. Those are the moments to slow down on purpose.

What should you check before you climb?

Stop for a moment and look at the ladder and the spot where it will stand. Ask whether this is the right tool, whether it is in good shape, and whether the ground and the top contact point are steady. If any answer is no, fix that first or use a different method of reaching the work.

A quick look takes less time than the climb itself, and it turns into a habit fast.

• Look over rails, rungs or steps and feet for damage or contamination.
• Wipe off mud, grease, manure or wet residue from your boots and the rungs.
• Check that any locking parts are fully engaged.
• Confirm nothing overhead, such as a power line, is near the work area.
• Check your own footing: laces tied, no loose clothing, hands free.

How do you set a ladder up on uneven farm ground?

Farm yards are rarely flat. Soft soil, gravel, concrete aprons with a slope and frozen ruts all change how a ladder sits. Do not shim a ladder with a bucket, a block or a pile of scrap. Instead, move the work or choose equipment designed for the surface.

The manufacturer label on the ladder and the manual describe how that particular ladder is meant to be positioned. Read the label, because the right setup depends on ladder type. Specific angles and distances should come from that label or from OSHA, not from rules of thumb passed along at the coffee shop.

If the ground cannot be made safe, that is information. Choose another way to reach the work, or wait until conditions change.

What is safe climbing technique?

Face the ladder, keep your body centered between the rails and move deliberately. Keep your hands free to hold on, which means a tool belt, a rope for hauling or a helper handing items up is better than carrying gear in your hands.

Wear footwear with a clean sole that grips. Do not climb in slick boots, and do not reach so far that your weight shifts outside the rails. Climb down, move the ladder and climb again. It feels slow and it is far safer.

Take your time on the last steps at the top and bottom. Many slips happen when someone steps on or off, feeling the hard part is over.

When should you not use a ladder at all?

Some jobs call for a different solution. If the work is long, repeated or at serious height, a ladder may not be the right answer, and platforms, lifts or fixed access may fit better. If the ladder is near electrical lines, if wind is strong, or if the surface is icy, wait or change the plan.

Never use a ladder as a plank, a scaffold or a bridge. Never let two people climb the same ladder unless the manufacturer label says that is allowed. Never use a damaged ladder, even for one quick job. Tag it and take it out of service.

Use only the part of the ladder the label says you may stand on, and keep your belt buckle between the rails.

Who should climb, and who should stay on the ground?

Anyone who is dizzy, on medication that affects balance, very tired or in a hurry should stay down. Young workers should only do ladder tasks that fit their age, training and the rules that apply. Youth farm work rules come from the U.S. Department of Labor, so confirm there before assigning any task to a minor.

Have a second person nearby for ladder work when you can. They can steady the base, pass tools and call for help. If someone falls, call 911 and do not move them unless they are in immediate danger, then follow the instructions the dispatcher gives you.

Ladder rules can also differ for employees, family workers and contractors, so ask OSHA or your state plan which standards apply to your setup.

How do you build a ladder routine on the farm?

Pick one person to own ladder checks. Write the date of each check on a tag on the ladder. Store ladders off the ground, out of weather and away from chemicals, and keep a clear spot where they hang so they are not tossed in a pile.

Add ladder talk to the new-hire walkthrough and to family meetings. It does not need to be long. A few minutes about how you do it on this farm is more useful than a general lecture.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.