Safety
Ladder Safety
Choose, set up and use ladders safely — and know when a ladder is the wrong tool.
Estimated time1 Hour
FormatOnline, self-paced
On completionCPD certificate
Course Overview
Ladder Safety is an online, self-paced awareness and refresher course for the electrical, communications and construction trades. Ladders are involved in a large share of falls from height in Australia, and most of those falls happen during short, routine tasks where the ladder felt too ordinary to plan around. This course builds the habits that keep ladder work safe: choosing the right ladder, setting it up properly, using it correctly and knowing when a ladder is the wrong tool entirely.
What the course covers
- Selection: single, extension, step and platform ladders, load ratings, and matching the ladder to the task
- Setup: the correct lean angle, secure footing and top support, and safe positioning around doorways, edges and services
- Safe use: three points of contact, working within reach, and the habits that prevent overbalancing
- Inspection: pre-use checks so damaged ladders come out of service before they hurt someone
When a ladder is the wrong tool
Ladder use sits inside the broader working-at-heights hierarchy of controls. Part of ladder competence is recognising the jobs where a platform, scaffold or other fall-prevention measure is the safer choice, and this course gives you a practical way to make that call before the work starts.
Who should take this course
Every trade that uses a ladder: electricians, communications and antenna installers, painters, maintenance crews and construction workers, plus the supervisors who plan their work. It suits site inductions, ongoing CPD and refresher use, and it is an easy baseline to set across a whole team.
How the course works
Fully online and self-paced: about one hour, on any device, ending with a knowledge assessment. Your certificate of completion is issued on passing and records CPD hours for your professional development record.
The working at heights pathway
For higher-risk height work, continue with Fall Prevention Systems and Fall Arrest Systems, or browse all three courses at Working at Heights Training.
What You’ll Learn
Recognise where ladders fit within the working-at-heights hierarchy of controls and when a ladder is the wrong tool
Identify the right ladder type and load rating for the task (single, extension, step or platform)
Apply the basics of safe setup, including the 4-to-1 rule, secure footing, top support and three points of contact
Describe safe work practices for using portable ladders, including non-conductive fibreglass ladders near live electrical parts
Carry out a pre-use inspection and remove damaged ladders from service
What’s Included
Self-paced online module
Knowledge assessment
Certificate on completion
Approx. 1 Hour
Counts toward CPD
Counts towards your CPD
On completion you’ll receive a certificate recording your CPD hours — ready to add to your professional development record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4-to-1 ladder rule?
For a leaning ladder, set the base 1 metre out from the wall for every 4 metres of height (about a 75-degree angle) – a simple check for a stable, safe setup.
What are the basic ladder safety rules?
Inspect before use, set on firm level ground, keep three points of contact, don't overreach, and use the right ladder for the job. For electrical work, use a non-conductive (fibreglass) ladder near live parts.
Who should do ladder safety training?
Any worker who uses ladders on site – ladders are involved in many serious falls, so safe-use training is a practical risk control.
Can I do ladder safety training online?
Yes – online and self-paced through NECA Learn.
