How many points of contact must you keep on a ladder to be considered safe?

• A. One
• B. Three
• C. Two
• D. Four

Answer: (B)

Maintaining three points of contact with the ladder at all times is the safety rule. This means you should have two parts of your body supporting you on the ladder and one part free to move for the next rung or step. With three contact points, your weight stays distributed and you’re less likely to lose balance if you need to shift or reach. You can have two hands and a foot on the ladder, or two feet and a hand, as long as three points stay connected to the ladder. The other options don’t provide the same stability—one point leaves you with too little support, two points can be unstable when you reach for something, and four points aren’t required and can limit your ability to climb and maneuver.