A worker climbs an unsecured 10-foot ladder with slip-resistant feet to access a landing 9 feet above the adjacent floor. Is this a safe practice?

Climbing an unsecured ladder, regardless of its features like slip-resistant feet, poses significant safety risks. The primary concern is that an unsecured ladder can easily shift or tip over, especially at heights that are relatively close to the maximum height of the ladder itself. In this scenario, the worker is using a 10-foot ladder to reach a landing that is only 1 foot below its maximum height. This increases the chances of losing balance or experiencing an accident.

Safety regulations and best practices generally emphasize the importance of both securing a ladder to ensure stability and proper usage techniques. If a ladder is not secured, it is not advisable to use it, even if it appears to be designed for slip resistance. This highlights the critical nature of ladder safety in preventing falls and injuries in the workplace. Therefore, the determination that this practice is not safe aligns with recognized safety protocols.