Ladder Safety – General Industry

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the "Ladder Safety – General Industry" course cover? +
  • Core Safety Principles: The course covers foundational ladder safety practices, such as maintaining three points of contact (two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand) while climbing, ensuring proper ladder placement (e.g., the 4:1 ratio for extension ladders), and avoiding common hazards like overreaching or using damaged ladders.
  • Practical Skills:  ladder inspection (checking for cracks, loose rungs, or worn parts), setup on stable surfaces, and proper storage to prevent damage, giving workers actionable skills to apply immediately.
  • Hazard Awareness: The curriculum probably emphasizes recognizing risks like electrical hazards near power lines, unstable ground, or overloading, with strategies to mitigate them, such as barricading work areas or selecting the right ladder type (e.g., fiberglass for electrical work).
• Who needs to take the "Ladder Safety – General Industry" course? +
  • Workers Using Ladders: Anyone in general industry—maintenance staff, warehouse workers, or technicians—who regularly uses portable ladders (step, extension, or rolling) needs this training to safely perform tasks at height.
  • Employers and Supervisors: OSHA mandates that employers ensure employees are trained (1910.30), so supervisors or safety managers might take it to oversee compliance, train others, or manage ladder-related risks effectively. If US training is what you’re searching, please refer to our “Ladder Safety – Worker Safety (OSHA)” course here.
  • New or Untrained Staff: It’s critical for new hires or those unfamiliar with ladder safety protocols, as falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries, and lack of training often contributes to preventable accidents. According to WorksafeBC, from 2001 to 2010, there were a staggering 4814 serious injuries related to ladders
  • Compliance Seekers: Companies aiming to meet OSHA standards or avoid fines would enroll workers, especially in industries where ladders are “communal” tools, used by multiple people across various tasks.
• How long does the "Ladder Safety – General Industry" course take to complete? +
  • Typical Duration: Our ladder safety course is about 45 to 60 minutes long depending on your pace.
• Is the "Ladder Safety – General Industry" course required by OSHA? +
  • OSHA Mandate: Yes, OSHA requires training under 29 CFR 1910.30 for employees using ladders in general industry, but it doesn’t specify a course title—just that workers must recognize hazards and use ladders safely, which this course would fulfill. If US training is what you’re searching, please refer to our “Ladder Safety – Worker Safety (OSHA)” course here.
  • Employer Responsibility: Employers must provide this training if ladders are part of the job, ensuring it’s done by a competent person; the course meets this by aligning with 1910.23 standards on ladder use and maintenance.
  • Not Universal: It’s not mandatory for every worker—only those exposed to ladder-related risks need it, unlike specialized courses for ladder safety devices (e.g., fall protection systems), which have stricter rules.
  • Proof of Compliance: Completing it provides documentation for OSHA inspections (if applicable), showing due diligence, which can prevent penalties if an incident occurs and training gaps are questioned.
• What are the benefits of taking the "Ladder Safety – General Industry" course? +
  • Injury Prevention: It equips you to avoid falls—20% of general industry lost-time injuries stem from ladders—by teaching safe climbing, inspection, and setup habits, potentially saving your health or life.
  • Confidence and Skill: You’ll gain practical know-how, like spotting a sun-damaged fiberglass ladder or securing an extension ladder, making you more competent and less anxious working at height.
  • Workplace Impact: Beyond personal safety, it fosters a safer environment—trained workers are less likely to misuse communal ladders, reducing risks for everyone, and it might even lower insurance costs for employers.