Many truck drivers underestimate their need for ladder safety. In most cases, it’s because they don’t realize how often they actually use a ladder during the day. The thing is, steps up into your truck, flatbed trailer ladders, dock stairs, sidestep ladders, and more can all potentially fall into the “ladder” category. 

When you’re looking for new transport driver jobs or are happy in your current role, embracing good ladder safety practices is essential. It can help you prevent accidents that could harm yourself or others, making it crucial. If you want to make sure that you’re taking the proper precautions and using ladders the right way, here are some ladder safety tips that can help. 

Don’t Rush While Setting Up or Climbing

One of the most significant things that you can do to avoid ladder accidents is to take your time. If you’re rushing when you’re setting up or climbing, you’re more likely to make a mistake. 

Make sure you only place ladders on firm, even ground. That way, you’re less likely to tip or sink, ensuring the ladder remains stable as you ascend or descend. 

When you prepare a ladder for climbing, take a moment to confirm that everything is locked into place. Additionally, inspect the rungs and rails for signs of damage, moisture, debris, or anything else that could cause you to trip, slip, or get caught while climbing. 

Once you start climbing up or down, be methodical. It’s better to take some extra time to ensure proper hand and foot placement than to hurry and miss a rung, lose your grip, or have issues with your footing. Moving fast makes it harder to recover if something goes awry, so slow down to ensure your safety. 

Maintain 3-Points of Contact

Another critical part of ladder safety is maintaining three points of contact. Essentially, only one of your limbs should be in motion at any particular time. The other three should be in place on the ground, on the truck, or on the ladder, depending on where you are in your climb or descent. 

You also want to make sure you’re facing the ladder. This helps you maintain three points of contact while making it easier to keep a strong grip and proper foot placement. 

Additionally, try to keep your weight centered as you ascend or descend. By centering yourself between the rungs, you keep the overall weight even and prevent any swaying that could cause the ladder to tip. 

Don’t Carry a Load That Leaves You Off Balance

While grabbing a heavy or unbalanced item might not seem like a big deal at first, hard-to-manage items can throw you off balance. Additionally, if you’re attention is on what you’re holding, you’re not paying as much attention to the ladder. In both cases, you increase your risk of slips, stumbles, and falls, making your chance of an injury rise. 

Ideally, you don’t want to hand-carry anything when climbing a ladder, particularly if it’s weighty or unbalanced. Instead, look to tools designed for lifting or retrieving items whenever possible. That way, you can remain as safe as possible. 

If you’d like to learn more or are seeking out looking for new transport driver jobs, the team at PTS can help. Contact us today.