What is the recommended practice for standing on a ladder?

The recommended practice for standing on a ladder is to avoid standing on the top two steps. Doing so ensures greater stability and safety while working from a ladder. The top rungs are typically not designed to provide adequate support for a person’s weight and can lead to loss of balance or potentially falling. By keeping both feet on the rungs below the top two steps, a user retains better control over their center of gravity and enhances their ability to maintain stability, which is crucial when reaching for something or performing tasks while elevated. This practice minimizes the risk of accidents and encourages safer ladder usage overall.

The other options suggest standing on various steps that may compromise safety. For instance, standing on the top rung or only the bottom two rungs limits effective reach and can lead to dangerous situations, while using just the first step can also be impractical for most work scenarios. The guidance to avoid the top two steps aligns with safety standards widely accepted in the industry.