Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) Practice Test 2025 - Free CHST Practice Questions and Study Guide

To prevent injuries from ladders, addressing and eliminating any slippery conditions is crucial. Slippery surfaces can significantly increase the risk of falls, which are one of the leading causes of injuries in construction and other industries involving ladder use. When a ladder is placed on a wet, oily, or icy surface, it can slide or tip over, leading to accidents that could result in serious injuries.

Ensuring that the area around the ladder is clear of hazards and maintaining dry, stable surfaces is a fundamental safety measure. This proactive step is key to maintaining a secure foothold when workers are on ladders, thereby preventing falls and promoting overall safety on the job site.

The other options may contribute to ladder safety, but they do not address the immediate environmental hazards that lead to injuries as effectively as eliminating slippery conditions does. For instance, simply replacing ladders with metal ones does not inherently prevent accidents if the surface is still slippery. Likewise, ensuring ladders are at least a certain height does not relate to safety, as a taller ladder on a slick surface can still pose a danger. Finally, using ladders with limited reach could create the need for awkward positioning or overreaching, which increases risk rather than addressing it.