2025-12-25
⚖️ The Golden Rule: Maintain Three Points of Contact
This is the non-negotiable foundation of ladder safety. At all times, **three of your four limbs (two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot) should be in secure contact with the ladder.**
* **Why It Works:** This creates a stable triangular base of support, preventing you from becoming overbalanced.
* **Practical Application:** Climb and descend **one rung at a time**, moving only one limb at a time. Grip the ladder's side rails or rungs firmly.
🧍 Body Positioning: Center Your Mass
Your body's position is critical to keeping the ladder's center of gravity within its support base.
* **Face the Ladder Always:** Never climb sideways or with your back to the ladder.
* **The "Belt Buckle" Rule:** Keep your **body centered between the side rails**. A simple check: your belt buckle or torso should not extend beyond the rails on either side.
* **Avoid Leaning Out:** If you cannot reach your work area while maintaining this centered position, **you are overreaching.** Descend and move the ladder.
👣 The Step-by-Step Technique
1. **Inspect & Setup:** Verify the ladder is on stable ground, fully locked (for A-frames), or at the correct 75-degree angle (for straight ladders).
2. **Firm Grip:** Place both hands firmly on the side rails or rungs before stepping onto the first rung.
3. **Slow, Deliberate Movements:** Climb smoothly without sudden jerks. Do not skip rungs.
4. **Tool Management:** Use a tool belt, lift line, or the ladder's top platform to hoist materials. **Never carry bulky items in your hands** that force you to break three-point contact.
5. **Descending:** The same rules apply. Look at the ladder, feel for each rung with your feet, and maintain three-point contact until you are fully on the ground.
🚫 Critical "Do Nots"
* Do not **climb onto the top cap or top two rungs** of any ladder.
* Do not **"bounce," shift suddenly, or try to move the ladder** while on it.
* Do not **climb while facing away from the ladder.**
🔬 The FONIRTE Advantage: Designed for Confident Climbing
A **FONIRTE** ladder supports safe technique through its engineered design:
* **Consistent Rung Spacing & Textured Surfaces** provide predictable and secure footing.
* **Optimal Side Rail Geometry** offers comfortable, secure handholds.
* **Lightweight yet Rigid Construction** provides a stable, confident feel underfoot without excessive flex.
**In Essence:** Correct ladder climbing is a disciplined skill, not a casual act. It is a conscious practice of **maintaining three-point contact, centering your body, and moving with deliberate control.** By mastering this technique on your **FONIRTE** ladder, you transform a simple tool into a stable and secure platform, turning height from a hazard into a manageable workspace.
*Climb with your mind, not just your muscles.* 🧠🪜✅