Ladders and stepladders for IT and field technicians
For IT, MSP and field technicians who use stepladders and leaning ladders in offices, shops, clinics and data closets: mounting access points and cameras, working above suspended ceilings, reaching wall cabinets. No prerequisites. Covers deciding whether a ladder is right for the task, the pre-use check, setting up in a busy workplace, climbing and working safely (including near electrical equipment), and who is responsible for what. Jurisdiction: US federal OSHA general industry rules (29 CFR 1910.23 and 1910.333) and UK HSE guidance on ladders; construction sites follow different rules (see 'Construction and trades: fall protection basics'), and US state plans or your site may be stricter. This is awareness training only: it does not make you a competent person or replace the training and risk assessment your employer must provide, and it is not legal advice.
- Level
- Beginner
- Length
- About 75 minutes
- Contents
- 5 lessons · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 10 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Decide whether a ladder is a reasonable choice for a task or whether other access equipment is needed
- Carry out a pre-use check and take a defective ladder out of service
- Set up a stepladder or leaning ladder in the right place at the right angle, secured against displacement
- Climb and work from a ladder safely, including near exposed electrical parts
- Identify who is responsible for pre-use checks, detailed inspections and training under US and UK guidance
Course outline
- 1.Deciding whether a ladder is a reasonable choice for the taskLesson · 14 min
- 2.Carrying out a pre-use check and taking a defective ladder out of serviceLesson · 12 min
- 3.Setting up a stepladder or leaning ladder in the right place and at the right angleLesson · 16 min
- 4.Climbing and working from a ladder safely, including near electrical partsLesson · 14 min
- 5.Identifying who is responsible for checks, inspections and trainingLesson · 8 min
- 6.Ladders and stepladders for IT and field technicians: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 12 questions
- 7.Ladders and stepladders for IT and field technicians: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
- 8.Final exam10 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23 Ladders (general industry, US)
- OSHA QuickCard: Portable Ladder Safety (OSHA 3246)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333 Selection and use of work practices (electrical), paragraph (c)(7) portable ladders
- HSE: Ladders, work at height (UK)
- HSE: When and how to use ladders safely
- HSE: How to check a ladder is safe before use
- HSE: Where ladders should be used
- HSE: Inspecting the condition of ladders
- HSE: Securing ladders used for access
- HSE: Types of ladder
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