According to the Health and Safety Executive, falls from height are the third highest cause of fatal injury at work. They account for 20% of fatal accidents and serious injury or death can occur even when the fall is less than 2m. So when you’re using a ladder, safety is everything. That’s where the 3 points of contact rule comes in.

What is the 3 points of contact rule?

This is a simple tried and tested way of reducing the chance of falling from a ladder. The rule says you should always make sure you keep three out of your four limbs in contact with the ladder at all times. This means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Abide by this rule and you’ll have plenty of stability and support when using the ladder, reducing the risk of injury.

The golden rules of ladder safety

However, ladder safety is not just about the 3 points of contact rule. It’s about setting up, maintaining, and using your ladder safely. Follow these rules to reduce your risk of falling from height.

  • Wear proper footwear- wear sturdy footwear with a good grip. Don’t be tempted to climb your ladder in flip-flops!
  • Make sure the rungs of your ladder are clean-dirt and grease can make them slippery and dangerous.
  • Stand the ladder on solid, even ground.
  • Face the ladder at all times and when you begin to climb, hold onto the rungs rather than the rails. Doing this will help keep you steady if your foot slips.
  • Try and keep your hands free when using your ladder. Attach any tools or other items you need to the ladder. Make sure carrying your tools and equipment doesn’t cause you to exceed the ladder’s weight capacity.
  • Don’t move your ladder while you’re standing on it. If you need to reposition it, climb down and move it.
  • Don’t overreach-remember to keep those 3 points of contact at all times. If you can’t do a job with the ladder you’ve got, invest in something that will give you that bit more reach.  
  • When climbing down the ladder, check for any obstacles on the ground. If you’re doing DIY, the last thing you need is to slip on a kids’ toy as you step down from your ladder.
  • Don’t jump off the last few rungs, you could end up with a sprain or strain.

Using ladders? Safety is everything

Falls from even a moderate height can still cause injury. So if your work tasks or DIY jobs require regular use of a ladder, it pays to put safety first. Before you do anything, make sure your ladder is safe to use and set up correctly. Once you’re using it, keep those 3 points of contact at all times to reduce your risk of injury.

For more interesting articles on ladders and ladder safety, check out the rest of our blog.