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Ladder Safety

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BSAFE
Because Ladders Should Elevate, Not Complicate
Because Safety Starts Before the First Step
Because Every Climb Deserves a Safe Descent
Why Ladder Safety Matters -- Ballymore

Why Ladder Safety Matters

Ladders ranked as the #4 most-cited OSHA standard in 2024, and fall protection remains #1 for the 14th consecutive year. The cost of a single ladder-related fatality exceeds $1.5 million in direct and indirect expenses.

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#4
Most-cited OSHA standard, FY2024 -- up from #7 just 8 years ago
109
Fatal workplace ladder injuries in 2023 (BLS, portable ladders)
$1.5M
Estimated avg. cost of a fatal ladder incident (OSHA Safety Pays)
500K
People treated for ladder-related injuries annually in the U.S.

Sources: OSHA FY2024 Top 10, BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 2023, AAOS 2023

Ladder Essential Safety Rules — Ballymore

Essential Safety Rules

Pre-Use Inspection
Always inspect the ladder before climbing. Check rungs, locking mechanisms, feet, and frame for any damage or wear.
Three-Point Contact
Maintain two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times during ascent and descent.
Level Surface
Ensure you are on stable, smooth ground before ascending. Never place a ladder on boxes, pallets, or uneven surfaces.
Engage the Lockstep
Confirm the lockstep is engaged before climbing. The ladder must be fully stationary under load before any ascent.
Stay Centered
Do not overreach or lean over the handrails at any point. Reposition the ladder instead of extending your reach.
Forward Descent
Be aware of the stairway angle when climbing down. Always face the ladder and descend one step at a time.
Rolling Safety Ladders vs A-Frame Ladders | Ballymore

Rolling Safety Ladders vs. A-Frame Ladders

We will be honest. A-frame ladders have their place. But for industrial and commercial environments where ladders are used repeatedly throughout the workday, the differences are significant.

Traditional option
A-Frame Stepladder
Self-supporting, portable, low cost
Lower upfront cost. Typically $50 to $300 for standard commercial grades.
Compact storage footprint. Folds flat and stores in tight spaces.
Good for occasional use. Well-suited for low-frequency tasks in open spaces without a fixed work area.
No locking mechanism. The ladder can shift or tip under load, especially on smooth warehouse or tile floors.
No full handrail system. Workers have nothing to grip above the spreader bar, increasing fall risk at height.
Forces overreaching. Repositioning requires a full descent. Workers frequently lean over the rails instead.
Lower weight capacity. Standard commercial A-frames rated to 225 to 250 lbs, including tools and materials carried.
Not built for repetitive use. High-frequency climbing accelerates wear and increases incident risk over time.
Ballymore recommendation
Rolling Safety Ladder
Engineered for industrial, commercial, and warehouse use
Higher upfront cost. Investment ranges from $400 to $1,500 depending on configuration, offset by injury cost avoidance.
Larger footprint. Requires more floor space when in use and in storage.
Built for daily high-frequency use. Heavy-gauge steel and aluminum construction rated for sustained industrial use.
Lockstep braking system. Casters lock automatically under load, eliminating ladder movement while climbing.
Full handrail system. Continuous handrails from base to top step support three-point contact throughout the entire climb.
Rolls to the task. Casters make repositioning fast and controlled between tasks. On an A-frame, moving the ladder means picking it up and carrying it, which is when many handling injuries occur.
450 to 800 lb capacity. Steel models support significantly higher loads, including bulky materials and equipment.
OSHA 1910.23 compliant. Designed and tested to meet general industry mobile ladder stand safety standards.
The Bottom Line
For a facility where ladder use is occasional and low-risk, an A-frame may be perfectly adequate. But for warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing floors, and retail operations where workers climb multiple times per shift, the economics change entirely. A single recordable ladder incident costs an average of $38,000 in direct costs. The price difference between an A-frame and a Ballymore rolling safety ladder pays for itself after preventing one incident. That is not a sales argument. That is math.
Ladder Safety Video Library - Ballymore

Ballymore Ladder Videos

Watch Ballymore rolling safety ladders in use. Lockstep braking, hybrid configurations, and compact designs for warehouses, distribution centers, and retail facilities.

Product Overview
Lock-N-Stock Ladder
See how the Lock-N-Stock system keeps the ladder securely in place during use.
Safety Features
Patented Weight Actuated Lockstep
A close-up look at how the weight-actuated lockstep engages automatically under load.
Product Overview
Hybrid Ladder and Docking Station
The hybrid ladder and docking station system designed for fast, secure repositioning in warehouse environments.
Product Overview
Ladder in a Box
Ships fully boxed to cut freight costs. Compact enough to store easily once on-site.
Ladder Safety FAQ -- Ballymore

Ladder Safety Questions Answered

Have a question not covered here? Our Certified Safety Professionals are happy to help at no cost to you.

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Choosing the right ladder involves 7 key factors: material, tread type, specialty options, platform height, step width, aisle space, and locking mechanism. The right combination depends on your environment, ceiling height, load requirements, and how frequently the ladder will be used.

Rolling safety ladders are governed by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23, which covers ladders in general industry. This standard outlines requirements for mobile ladder stands including load capacity, handrail height, step width, tread design, and locking mechanisms. Ballymore rolling ladders are engineered to meet or exceed these requirements.

A lockstep is a braking mechanism that automatically engages when weight is applied to the bottom step. When engaged, the casters lock and the ladder becomes stationary. This eliminates the risk of the ladder rolling or shifting while a worker is climbing. Never climb a rolling ladder without confirming the lockstep is fully engaged, this is one of the most critical pre-use safety checks.

Rolling safety ladders are primarily designed for indoor use on smooth, level surfaces. Outdoor use on uneven ground, gravel, or wet surfaces is not recommended as it compromises caster and lockstep stability. For outdoor elevated access, Ballymore offers fixed and adjustable work platforms engineered for uneven surfaces. If you are unsure about the right solution for your environment, request a free evaluation from our safety team.

Weight capacity varies by model and material. Aluminum models are typically rated to 350 lbs. Hybrid models are rated to 450 lbs. Steel models range from 450 lbs up to 1,000 lbs for heavy-duty configurations. Always verify the capacity label on the ladder itself and ensure the combined weight of the worker, tools, and materials does not exceed the rated capacity.

OSHA requires that employees who use ladders receive training before first use and whenever there is reason to believe they do not have the skills or understanding to use them safely. Best practice is to conduct annual refresher training for all ladder users, plus retraining after any ladder-related incident or near-miss. Ballymore's Certified Safety Professionals can conduct on-site ladder safety training as part of a free ergonomic evaluation.

Not Sure Which Ladder Is Right for Your Facility?

Our Certified Safety Professionals will evaluate your operation, identify your highest-risk tasks, and recommend the right solution at no cost to you.