Whether you are at home doing maintenance work, or are working on a ladder as a part of your job, it is important to always be careful when using these items. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that falling off ladders can kill, but almost all of these falls can be prevented if workers use extreme caution.

One of the best ways to prevent ladder falls is to make sure that you use the right ladder for the job. Users should never have to stand on the top rung to reach the ceiling, ledge, or other area that they are working on.

This is an extremely dangerous move, and can result in a serious fall. Test a ladder to make sure it is long enough before using it for any jobs, Also, when using a ladder to access another level in a home or workplace, make sure that the ladder extends at least three feet above the landing point. This will help to provide a safe handhold and make sure that the ladder won't slip and fall while an individual is climbing,

Another way to prevent ladder falls is by always making sure that the base of a ladder is completely secure. If the ladder is not secured, then it could fall over while a person is climbing. Also, all ladder climbers need to wear the proper footwear to avoid slipping on the metal bars. Ladders should always be placed on a stable surface, and should be fully extended and locked into place if they are folding ladders.