When working on a ladder, what is considered a best practice?

In ladder safety, avoiding standing on the top two rungs is a critical best practice. Standing on these specific rungs increases the risk of losing balance and falling because they provide less surface area to support the user. The additional height makes it more difficult to maintain stability, and the higher the center of gravity, the greater the chance of tipping over. This practice is widely advocated to ensure the safety of individuals working at heights.

While wearing a helmet can be beneficial for head protection, it does not address ladder stability directly. Keeping one hand free is impractical, as maintaining three points of contact (two feet and one hand) is essential for safety when climbing or working on ladders. Setting up a ladder on uneven ground is counterproductive and increases the likelihood of an accident, contrary to safe practices. Thus, adhering to the guideline of not standing on the top two rungs promotes safer working conditions when using a ladder.