Agricultural Safety

Fact Sheet

Safe Use of Tripod Orchard Ladders 

Every year many workers are injured from using tripod orchard ladders. These incidents are 

preventable. Workers, such as fruit pickers and landscapers, use this type of ladder regularly. 

Employers can prevent worker falls and injuries by following the safety measures described in 

this fact sheet.

A tripod orchard ladder is a portable, self-supporting 

ladder used in orchards and landscape maintenance, for 

tasks such as pruning and fruit harvesting. This type of 

ladder should not be used as an all-purpose ladder. They 

are designed with a flared base and a tripod pole that 

provides support on soft, uneven ground. In addition, these ladders 

have no spreader bar or locking mechanisms to hold its front 

in place or to stabilize the ladder. For a tripod orchard ladder to 

function properly and remain stable, the ladder side rails and tripod 

pole must slightly penetrate the ground.

Tripod Orchard Ladder Injuries 

and Hazards

Sprains and strains are the most common types of ladder 

injuries and are caused by overreaching, moving, lifting 

or carrying ladders. Fractures, concussions and dislocations are 

caused by falls as a result of an unstable ladder, overextension of 

the ladder’s tripod pole, slipping or being struck by a falling ladder. 

In addition, poor weather conditions such as high winds or ladders 

too close to electrical lines have also caused fatalities. Back injuries 

can also occur from carrying the ladder incorrectly for long periods 

of time and over long distances. 

Fall Prevention

When working on a ladder, falls are the most common 

hazard. More falls occur on the upper part of the ladder 

than in the middle or lower portions. Most falls are due to slippery 

steps, unstable ladders, and by not maintaining proper contact with 

the ladder. Employers can prevent most tripod ladder fall hazards 

by training workers and taking the following safety measures:

• Place the ladder firmly in the ground to keep it from 

collapsing, slipping, moving, or falling. Make sure that the 

ladder is not positioned over a soft spot or hole.

• Ladders placed on sloped ground must have the tripod pole 

positioned uphill.

• Routinely inspect ladders.

• Train workers to center themselves between the ladder’s side 

rails and to use both hands to climb up and down the ladder.

• Select and provide required personal protective equipment 

(such as eye protection) for workers.

• Have workers wear non-slip shoes with stiff soles and a good 

sized heel.

U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Top Cap

Tripod Pole

Safe Working

Load Label

Side

Rails

Foot Plates

Rungs
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

• Train workers not to overreach beyond the ladder’s side 

rails; the ladder should be moved to perform orchard work.

• Do not overfill produce bags.

• Do not stand or work on the ladder’s top three steps.

• Train workers to never move from a ladder onto a tree 

branch or to stand on or use the branch for balance.

General Safety Precautions

Before work begins, hazards should be identified and 

eliminated by the employer. Some safeguards employers 

should implement include:

• Mark dangerous areas for workers to avoid, such as trees 

and electrical lines.

• Establish and enforce ladder safety rules.

• Ensure that only one worker is on each ladder.

• Do not allow other types of ladders to be used.

• Conduct daily safety talks.

• Select and use ladders appropriate for the worker and 

tree size.

Carrying, Lifting and 

Moving Ladders

Workers carry, lift and move ladders throughout the 

workday. To prevent injuries from carrying, lifting 

and moving ladders, employers should train workers to properly 

handle one ladder at a time. Employers should also train workers 

on the following: 

• To place their arm through the ladder and to balance it on 

their shoulder.

• To carry ladders in a horizontal position with the top of the 

ladder facing forward, firmly securing the tripod pole to keep it 

from slipping out of the ladder notch.

• For moving long distances, the horizontal (side-to-side) 

position is especially useful in carrying ladders, either by one 

or two workers.

• To watch for other people and nearby trees.

Proper ladder lifting and handling techniques can protect workers 

from back injuries, as well as ease the work. Throughout the 

workday, employers should remind workers of the proper lifting 

and handling techniques. 

Training

Employers should train full-time and seasonal workers 

to recognize hazards and set up a process for 

workers to report unsafe conditions to supervisors immediately. 

Ladder safety training should be conducted by an experienced/ 

knowledgeable person. Training should include ladder 

maintenance and storage, and how to properly respond to ladder 

injuries and incidents.

Employers should train workers to:

• Never leave a ladder standing open at the end of the workday

• Limit or reschedule work on ladders during high winds, 

heavy rain, or thunderstorms.

• Avoid walking under or near ladders in use by using a 

barrier or having a coworker act as a lookout.

• Never use ladders on hard surfaces.

• Use and carry tools on a ladder in a safe manner.

Inspecting, Maintaining and 

Storing Ladders 

Before a ladder is used, the employer must 

inspect it to ensure that it has no defects and that 

it is in good working condition. Employers should focus on:

• Checking ladders daily in accord with the manufacturer’s 

guidelines to ensure components are in good working order.

• Checking ladders for missing, loose, or sheared rivets, broken 

steps, and bent rails or tripod poles. After a ladder tips over, 

inspect it from top to bottom before placing it back in service.

Ladder safety training should be provided before any worker is 

allowed to work on a tripod orchard ladder.
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any 

new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to 

Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if 

they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer 

is not following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities 

confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, 

including reporting an injury or raising health and safety 

concerns with their employer or OSHA. If a worker has 

been retaliated against for using their rights, they must file 

a complaint with OSHA as soon as possible, but no later 

than 30 days.

For more information, see OSHA’s Workers page.

Tripod Orchard Ladder Safety 

Checklist

o Rivets/joints and fastenings are in place and secure.

o Steps are in place and secure.

o Steps are free of dents, bends, and damage.

o Free of rust, grease or oil.

o Safe Working Load label is attached to the ladder’s side rails.

o Top cap is tightly secured to the ladder’s side rails and 

tripod leg hinge.

o Tripod leg is intact and not able to bend.

o Tripod leg is free of cracks and dents.

o Footplate is free of cracks and rust.

• Removing defective or damaged ladders from service 

immediately. Placing an “out-of service” tag on damaged 

ladders, and separating them from non-damaged ladders. 

Repairing damaged ladders must not be done by the worker.

• Storing ladders in accord with the manufacturer’s 

instructions and away from excessive heat and cold.

Emergency Response 

Procedures

Employers should develop an emergency response 

plan that is tailored to their facility and operations. This includes 

training workers to call 911 and to not move an injured worker 

suspected of having a neck or spinal injury. Also, first-aid and CPR 

training should be provided to workers by their employer.

Prior to use, workers should be trained on how to use a ladder 

safety checklist. The following checklist identifies inspection 

requirements (not all-inclusive) that can be applied to a tripod 

orchard ladder safety program.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a language and 

vocabulary the worker understands) about workplace 

hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA standards 

that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

For questions or to get information or advice, to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient hospitalization, amputation, 

or loss of an eye, to file a confidential complaint, or to request OSHA’s free on-site consultation service, contact 

your nearest OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov, or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. 

For more information on ATV safety and other issues affecting farmworkers, visit OSHA’s Safety and 

Health Topics Agricultural Operations website at www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/agriculturaloperations.

DSG FS-3728 06/2014