When climbing a ladder, what should you always maintain?

Maintaining three points of contact while climbing a ladder is essential for ensuring stability and safety. This means that at least three parts of your body should be in contact with the ladder at all times—usually two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. By doing this, you significantly lower the risk of losing balance and falling, as three points create a more secure interaction with the ladder. This practice enhances your ability to stabilize yourself, allowing for better control and confidence as you ascend or descend.

Other choices involve fewer points of contact, which would increase the likelihood of falling due to decreased stability. Keeping at least three points of contact is a key safety measure taught in ladder safety courses and is critical to preventing accidents.