How should you climb a ladder if you are carrying a tool in one hand?

When climbing a ladder while carrying a tool in one hand, the safest and most effective method is to slide your free hand along the beam while climbing. This technique allows you to maintain your balance and stability on the ladder with your free hand securely guiding your movement along the side of the ladder.

Using one hand for the tool necessitates that the other hand is available to assist in safely maneuvering up the ladder. By sliding your free hand along the beam, you are effectively creating a point of contact that helps keep you steady, reduces the risk of slipping, and provides better control as you climb. This method promotes safety by ensuring that a hand is always positioned on the ladder, which is crucial for maintaining three points of contact—two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand—while ascending or descending.

This approach is fundamental in fire service operations, where carrying equipment is often required, and safety protocols dictate that firefighters maintain the highest level of stability while working at heights.