Which of the following is a recommended ladder safety practice?

• A. Stand on the top rung to reach higher areas.
• B. Maintain three points of contact.
• C. Use a ladder with a slick surface.
• D. Move the ladder while you are climbing without stabilizing.

Answer: (B)

Maintaining three points of contact is a fundamental ladder safety rule because it keeps your body connected to the ladder and helps you stay balanced as you climb or descend. By always having two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, on the ladder you reduce the likelihood of a slip if you lose footing or the ladder shifts. This approach also makes it easier to control your movements and recover your balance quickly, especially when you’re reaching or transferring your weight.

Why the other practices aren’t safe: standing on the top rung puts you well above the ladder’s stable support and can cause tipping or a fall because there’s less stability and no secure foothold. a ladder with a slick surface reduces friction, making it easy to slip off the rungs. moving the ladder while you climb destroys stability and can cause a sudden shift that leads to a fall. Keeping the ladder stationary and secure, using non-slip rungs and feet, and maintaining three points of contact together create the safest routine for working at height.