You put on your scrubbiest work shirt, and go into your shed or garage and get out the necessary equipment to hang up those lovely holiday lights. But the ladder you have isn’t high enough—you can’t quite reach that last hook.
Yellow lines exist in a lot of places to remind us where to pause, like on roads or worksites. But on ladders, where there are no yellow lines, it’s up to you to prevent falls.
Each year, an average of 485 British Columbians are hospitalized for falls from ladders and scaffolding.1 Many of these falls happen due to over-reaching because the ladder is not tall enough, or when the ladder is not positioned properly. Drawing a mental yellow line on the ladder can help remind you not to step beyond that top rung.
Ladder falls can happen at home or at work. In 2024, WorkSafeBC accepted 876 time-loss claims for injuries related to falls from ladders—309 of which were serious, and included fractures, contusions, and strains.2
Here are some reminders to help you establish yellow lines while working on ladders, thanks to our friends at WorkSafeBC:3-5
- Wind, rain, and snow may pose hazards. Avoid ladder work in inclement weather.
- The ladder you choose for the job should extend one metre above the upper landing.
- Remember to inspect the ladder and that it is in good, working condition and doesn’t have bent or dented rails that could collapse.
- Set up the ladder on a firm, level surface.
- Have three points of contact while climbing the ladder: two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot.
- Avoid carrying heavy or bulky objects while climbing up or down.
- Don’t reach up or over to hang that last light or paint that last area—get a taller ladder, or get down and move the ladder over to the right spot.
Sources:
1. Canadian Institute of Health Information [creator] (2025): Discharge Abstract Database (Hospital Separations). British Columbia Ministry of Health [publisher]. Data Extract. MOH (2025). http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/conducting-health-research-evaluation/data-access-health-data-central. Retrieved from BCIRPU Injury Data Online Tool, 2025. 3-year average, all ages.
2. WorkSafeBC. Holiday ladder safety tips from WorkSafeBC and Preventable. (December 2, 2025). Available from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2025/December/holiday-ladder-safety-tips-from-worksafebc-and-preventable
3. WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC warns that falls from ladders a major safety risk during the holiday season. (November 30, 2020.) Available from: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/news-events/news-releases/2020/November/worksafebc-warns-that-falls-from-ladders-major-safety-risk-during-holiday-season
3. WorkSafeBC. Stay grounded while using your ladder. (September/October 2015.) Available from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/articles/stay-grounded-while-using-your-ladder?lang=en
4. WorkSafeBC. Ladder Safety Resources. Available from: https://www.worksafebc.com/resources/health-safety/resource-sheets/ladder-safety-resources?lang=en