Safety
Top rungs of a ladder: which ones must you not stand on?
· 4 min read
On a leaning ladder the top three rungs stay free, so you never stand higher than the fourth rung from the top. On a stepladder without a platform and rail, the top two steps stay free. This is in the user instructions of the European ladder standard EN 131-3, and usually as a pictogram on the ladder itself.
The rule in one sentence
On a leaning ladder the top three rungs stay free. Your highest position is therefore the fourth rung from the top. Arbouw says the same in its guidance for construction workers: never climb higher than the fourth step from the top.
By type of ladder
| Type | Do not stand on |
|---|---|
| Leaning ladder, against a wall or gutter | the top 3 rungs |
| Stepladder without a platform and rail | the top 2 steps |
| Stepladder with a platform and hand or knee rail | the platform is made to stand on |
These rules come from the user instructions of EN 131-3, the part of the European ladder standard on user information. They are usually shown as a pictogram on the ladder. The pictograms on your own ladder are what counts.
Why there
- Handhold. Stand higher and there is nothing left to hold at chest height. You work hands-free, and a small push is enough.
- Tipping. The higher you stand, the further your weight rises above the point where the ladder rests against the wall. The ladder can then pivot around that point, especially when you reach sideways.
The law matches this. Article 7.23a of the Dutch Working Conditions Decree requires that you always have safe support and a secure handhold on a ladder. Standing on the top rungs, you do not.
Too short? Take a longer ladder
If you have to stand on the top rungs to reach the work, the ladder is too short. That is the only conclusion. A leaning ladder used for access must also extend at least 1 metre above the landing. That metre is exactly what gives you something to hold when stepping off. What to look for when buying is in EN 131 explained.
Frequently asked questions
May you stand on the top rung of a ladder?
No. On a leaning ladder the top three rungs stay free, on a stepladder without a platform the top two steps.
Is this law or advice?
The numbers come from the user instructions of the ladder standard EN 131-3. The law requires that you always have safe support and a handhold. Standing above the permitted rung means using the ladder differently from what the manufacturer prescribes, and that is hard to defend if something goes wrong.
Does it apply to a telescopic ladder too?
Yes, a telescopic leaning ladder is a leaning ladder. For the rest, follow the pictograms on your own ladder, and read what to look for in a telescopic ladder.
What if I can just not reach the work?
Then the ladder is too short or the wrong choice. Take a longer ladder, a stepladder with a platform or a mobile scaffold.
Sources
- EN 131-3, Ladders, part 3: user information
- Arbouw: The ladder as a workplace? When yes, when no (Dutch)
- Dutch Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), article 7.23a
This article is a practical explanation, not legal advice. Sources checked on 24 September 2026.