Welcome to another episode of the Living The Wildlife Podcast with wildlife control consultant Stephen Vantassel! In this episode, Stephen delves into essential ladder safety tips, emphasizing the importance of following OSHA guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries.

Stephen highlights the critical aspects of ladder safety, starting with the need to follow all ladder markings and ensure they are readable. He stresses the importance of avoiding electrical hazards, particularly with aluminum ladders, and advises inspecting ladders for missing screws, warping, frayed ropes, and worn-out rubber feet before use.

Maintaining three-point contact—keeping two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand on the ladder—is crucial. Stephen also emphasizes the necessity of using the appropriate ladder for the job, ensuring it is rated for your weight and the equipment you carry. Keeping ladders clean and free from slippery materials is essential, as is placing ladders on stable, level surfaces and considering the use of ladder levelers.

Proper extension is another key point, with extension ladders needing to extend three rungs above the roofline or the level you're working on. Maintaining a 1:4 ratio of distance from the wall to the height of the ladder ensures the correct angle for safety. Stephen advises using cones or hazard tape in high-traffic areas to prevent accidents and checking all locks on extension ladders to ensure they are fully engaged before use.

Finally, Stephen warns against exceeding the maximum load rating of the ladder, underscoring the importance of safety to avoid serious injuries or financial setbacks. He invites feedback and suggestions for future episodes at wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is dedicated to helping people resolve conflicts with wildlife through teaching, training, writing, and research. You can find more about his work through various platforms:

- Blog: [Wildlife Control Consultant](https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/)
- Papers: [Stephen M. Vantassel on Academia.edu](https://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel)
- Videos: [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxP_IBhnqcgvX_aRM4f91nQ)
- Podcasts: [Pest Geek Podcast](https://pestgeekpodcast.com/stephen-vantassel/)
- Phone: 406-272-5323 Mtn Time

**Disclaimer**: Always follow national, state, provincial, and local laws when using pesticides and/or other control methods to manage pests. Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC, Pest Geeks Podcast, Living the Wildlife Podcast, Stephen M. Vantassel, or their affiliates are not responsible for the follower’s use of the information provided here or elsewhere. Be sure to read and follow the label directions for any product you use.

Tune in, stay safe, and keep living the wildlife!