Is counting the rungs a safe method when climbing down a hook ladder into the working position?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the ladder is new
• D. It depends on the height

Answer: (B)

Counting rungs down a hook ladder isn’t reliable for getting into the working position. Rungs can become obscured, replaced, or miscounted if the ladder is extended, retracted, or shifted, and movement, wind, or load changes can make the ladder tilt or swing. Relying on a numeric count distracts you from keeping three points of contact and maintaining balance, which increases the chance of stepping off early or losing footing.

A safer approach is to secure the ladder properly—hooked, braced, and stable—before you move, and to use definite cues to know you’ve reached the working position (such as a solid footing, contact with a stable surface, or a marked stopping point). Keep your weight centered, maintain three points of contact, and use any available safety lines or handlines. Move deliberately and check your footing as you descend, rather than counting rungs.