Be sure your ladder is long enough for the job. A ladder's overall length is different than its usable length. The top three rungs of a ladder are not meant to be stood upon. Do not leave tools on top of a stepladder or on any other elevated place from which they may fall. Effective toolholders should be used.
Place ladders only against solid footing and stationary backing.
Always face the ladder when ascending or descending. Use both hands when going up or down a ladder. Never use a broken or weak ladder or one with missing rungs. If you plan to use a ladder near power lines, with electrical equipment, or to change a bulb, use a wooden or fiberglass ladder if at all possible. No uprights, braces, or supporting members of a scaffold should be removed, loosened, or weakened while any of the scaffold planking or flooring is in place.