Portable ladder safety check before you climb

Before a roof, gutter or tall job, the crew gets OSHA's portable-ladder checklist: inspect, angle, 3-foot extension, 3-point contact.

What it does

Falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of work deaths and injuries. OSHA's Portable Ladder Safety QuickCard and extension-ladder fact sheet boil it down: inspect before every use, keep metal ladders away from power lines, set extension ladders at a 4:1 angle and extend 3 feet above the landing, keep three points of contact, and never stand on the top cap of a stepladder. Your bot sends a short pre-climb checklist when someone says they're getting on a ladder, and can drop the same tips into a toolbox talk. Good for roofers, painters, HVAC techs, gutter crews, and homeowners doing weekend work. It reminds; your company's fall-protection rules and training still come first.

Copy-paste prompt

Be our portable ladder safety checker, using OSHA's Portable Ladder Safety QuickCard and extension-ladder fact sheet.

When I (or a crew lead) say we're about to use a ladder, or every [Monday] morning during ladder-heavy weeks, send a short checklist to [crew chat / me]:
1. Inspect first: cracked rails, bent or missing rungs, loose bolts, damaged feet, or slippery rungs? If yes: tag "Do Not Use," remove from service, don't climb.
2. Power lines: look up before moving or setting the ladder. Don't use a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized equipment.
3. Setup: stable and level surface only (not on boxes or barrels). For an extension ladder, set the base about 1/4 of the working length from the wall (the 4:1 angle), locks engaged, and extend at least 3 feet above the landing or secure the top. Barricade or secure if traffic could bump it.
4. Climbing: face the ladder, 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand), body near the middle of the rungs. Don't move a ladder while someone is on it. Don't stand on the top cap or top step of a stepladder, or on the top 3 rungs of an extension ladder.
5. Load: know the ladder's duty rating; count person + tools + materials. Don't exceed it.

Keep it under 8 lines. For a toolbox talk version, expand to a 1-page talk with one discussion question. Never replace our company's fall-protection plan or training.