Introduction
In Vietnam’s manufacturing plants, construction sites, and infrastructure maintenance, extension ladders such as “2-section ladders” and “3-section ladders” have become essential tools for high-altitude work. Despite being a single ladder, its convenience—being compactly retracted during storage and safely extended to two or three times its height using pulleys and ropes during work—is highly valued in Vietnamese jobsites where space is limited. However, behind this high level of convenience lies a critical risk of “falling and dropping accidents” caused by incorrect extension operations or a lack of understanding of the structure.
This article was written for safety managers, purchasing procurement officers, and site supervisors working in the manufacturing, construction, and logistics industries in Vietnam. We will unravel the unique safety structure of extension ladders and explain the correct procedures for extension operations that can be implemented on-site starting today, step-by-step. Please utilize this as a practical guide to back up your knowledge with highly reliable international standards (such as JIS, EN131, TCVN, etc.) and lead your site’s “near-misses” to zero.
Challenges and Background of High-Altitude Work in Vietnam’s Construction and Manufacturing Sites
Market Data and the Current Status of Occupational Accidents
With the rapid economic development of Vietnam in recent years, the construction of high-rise buildings and large-scale factories is surging in urban areas including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Along with this, the importance of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in manufacturing and construction sites is rising more than ever before. However, according to the annual occupational accident reports published by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), “falls from heights (Ngã từ trên cao)” still reign near the top as a cause of fatal occupational accidents across all industries.
According to statistical data, approximately 35% to 40% of fatal accidents in the construction and manufacturing industries are accounted for by falls related to high-altitude work equipment such as scaffolding and ladders. In particular, extension ladders, which are easy to move and set up, are used frequently, but inappropriate handling by workers who have not received proper training triggers accidents. The Vietnamese government is strengthening its policy to strictify equipment selection and pre-work safety inspections for high-altitude work based on the Law on Occupational Safety and Health 2015, and site managers bear the legal and moral responsibility to not just introduce cheap equipment, but to select products whose safety is structurally guaranteed and establish proper work procedures.
Critical Risks Caused by Improper Ladder Operations
When analyzing the causes of extension ladder accidents in detail, most of them stem from “during extension operations” and a “lack of verification immediately after extension.” Common improper operations and the specific risks they cause include the following:
-
Incomplete engagement of the locking mechanism (Cơ chế khóa không khớp): 2-section and 3-section ladders are secured when the upper section (upper ladder) is pulled up, causing the metal hardware to hook onto the rungs (steps) of the lower section (lower ladder). If a worker begins to climb while this lock is not completely engaged all the way, the lock will disengage the moment the worker’s weight (dynamic load) is applied, causing the upper ladder to rapidly drop under its own weight. This leads to tragic accidents where workers lose their balance and are thrown to the ground.
-
Improper rope handling and reverse rope phenomenon: Many extension ladders are equipped with extension ropes (Dây kéo) and pulleys (Pulleys) to pull up the upper ladder. If work is performed without properly tying and securing this rope to the ladder body (termination treatment), the rope will get caught on the worker’s feet during ascent or descent, inducing falls. Additionally, if the ladder is forcibly pulled up while the rope is tangled, an abnormal load will be applied to the internal pulley system, causing structural destruction.
-
Loss of balance due to excessive deflection: When an extension ladder is extended to its maximum, if the “overlapping section (overlap width)” of the upper, middle, and lower ladders is not sufficiently secured, the entire ladder will significantly deflect (Uốn cong) like a bow. When a worker weighing 80 kg or more climbs with tools, if this deflection exceeds the limit, the ladder will shake violently from side to side, causing a fall, or in the worst-case scenario, it will fracture at the joints of the aluminum material.
The Mechanism of 2-Section and 3-Section Ladders and the Correct Procedures for Extension Operations
The Safety Structure of Extension Ladders (Locking Mechanism, Rope, Pulley)
Before learning the correct operating procedures, it is essential to understand the structure and mechanism by which extension ladders maintain safety. The three major components are as follows:
-
Upper, Middle, and Lower Ladders (Strakes / Ladder Sections): In the case of a 2-section type, two sections are combined in an interlocking manner, and three sections are combined for a 3-section type. “Guides (guide brackets)” for sliding each section are arranged on the sides, precisely designed to move up and down smoothly without rattling.
-
Pulley and Extension Rope (Extension Rope): The rope passes through a pulley installed at the top of the ladder. By pulling this rope forward (downward), the principle of a movable pulley (a mechanism that reduces physical force) can be utilized to pull the heavy upper ladder upward with light force.
-
Locking Hardware (Locking Mechanism / Hook): These are movable claws (hardware) attached as a left-and-right pair to the bottom of the upper ladder. When pulling it up, they move past the rungs with a clicking sound, and when you stop pulling, they hook firmly onto the top of the rung to secure it. Many high-quality products feature built-in indicators to visually confirm that the lock is completely engaged, as well as anti-dislodgement springs.
Source: Hasegawa Kogyo Co., Ltd. Product Safety Instruction Manual
Prevent Accidents! The 4 Steps of Correct Extension Operations
To completely prevent fall accidents on-site, please perform extension operations according to the following four steps. This procedure can also be utilized as it is for the menu of the pre-work TBM (Toolbox Meeting: pre-work safety morning assembly).
Step 1: Pre-inspection and Verification of the Surrounding Environment
Before extending the ladder, always place it on flat, stable ground. Extension operations on muddy soil, sloped floors, or tiles slippery with oil are strictly prohibited.
-
Inspection Items: Check if there is any wear or fraying (sections about to break) on the extension rope. Check if the pulley rotates smoothly. Check if the spring of the locking hardware is working properly and returns smoothly when moved by hand.
-
Surrounding Safety: Confirm that there are no overhead power lines (especially high-voltage lines). Since aluminum ladders possess high electrical conductivity, contact with power lines will immediately lead to a fatal electrocution accident.
Step 2: Pulling Up the Ladder (Extension Operation)
With the ladder leaned against the support surface (or laid down on the ground while ensuring the safety of the surroundings), grip the extension rope firmly with both hands.
-
Place one foot on the lowest rung of the lower ladder and step on it, anchoring it firmly to the ground so that the ladder body does not lift up.
-
Pull the rope straight down in a constant rhythm. At this time, pull it up while confirming the sound of the upper ladder passing over the rungs where the locking hardware is attached, section by section, making a “click, click” sound.
-
In the case of a 3-section ladder, first pull up the “middle ladder” to the specified position to lock it, and then perform a two-stage operation to pull up the “upper ladder.” Attempting to forcibly pull up all sections at once causes a loss of balance.
Step 3: Verification of Full Lock Engagement (The Most Critical Step)
Once pulled up to the target height, loosen the rope slightly to allow the locking hardware of the upper ladder (and the middle ladder) to sit firmly “riding on (hooked onto)” the rungs of the lower ladder.
-
Visual Verification: Be sure to visually check that both the left and right locking hardware are evenly clasping the rungs. A “partial lock” state where it is only engaged on one side is extremely dangerous. The moment a worker climbs, one side will disengage, causing the ladder to twist and overturn.
-
Verification of Overlap Width: Even when the ladder is extended to its maximum, confirm that the section where the upper and lower ladders overlap (overlap width) retains 3 rungs or more (as specified by product specifications). If it falls below this, the connection strength cannot be maintained, resulting in structural failure.
Step 4: Rope Termination Treatment and Setting Angle Adjustment
Once the lock is verified, perform the treatment for the remaining extension rope.
-
Since a loosely dangling rope can cause trips and snags during ascent and descent, wind it firmly around the rungs of the lower ladder and tie it securely so it does not come undone (this is called termination treatment).
-
Finally, adjust the leaning angle of the ladder to “75 degrees.” If the angle is too steep (80 degrees or more), it easily flips backward, whereas if it is too shallow (70 degrees or less), the load on the center of the ladder increases, causing it to bend or the base to slip and fall outward. Setting it so that the distance from the floor to the wall surface is approximately one-fourth of the effective length of the ladder serves as a guide for 75 degrees.
Case Studies of Implementing Hasegawa (Hasegawa Vietnam) Products and Services
Hasegawa’s Extension Ladders Boasting High Safety and Durability (Features)
The 2-section and 3-section ladders provided by Hasegawa Vietnam are designed and manufactured based on the concepts of Japan’s strict JIS standards (JIS S1121: Aluminum alloy ladders) and European standards (EN131). The biggest difference from general low-cost products lies in its “structural rigidity” and “thorough safety mechanisms.”
-
Adoption of High-Strength Aluminum Alloy: Through unique extrusion molding technology, we use an aluminum alloy that possesses overwhelming strength against swaying and deflection while remaining lightweight. This minimizes the “shaking” of the ladder when a worker climbs to a high place, simultaneously increasing mental peace of mind and work efficiency.
-
Double-Lock, Highly Reliable Hooks: The locking hardware of Hasegawa products is designed with excellent dust resistance and durability to ensure reliable operation even in harsh site environments where dust and mud easily intrude. It features a shape that makes it easy to identify the lock state visually, facilitating inspection by managers.
Implementation Case Study: Improvements in External Wall Construction and Maintenance Sites
We introduce an improvement case study at Company A, a Japanese-local joint venture construction firm that conducts large-scale external wall construction projects and factory maintenance in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.
-
【Before: Challenges Prior to Implementation】 At Company A, they were using dozens of low-cost, foreign-made 2-section ladders widely available in the market. However, reports from Vietnamese workers flooded in, stating that “extending it over 4 meters makes the center deflect, which is very scary” and “it is difficult to tell whether the lock is engaged, and in the past, there was a near-miss where the ladder slipped down a few centimeters the moment a worker climbed.” Furthermore, because the extension ropes wore out and snapped quickly, safety management had become a mere formality, with workers replacing them with random nylon strings on-site.
-
【Action: Countermeasures by Hasegawa】 Upon receiving a consultation from the safety manager, Hasegawa Vietnam proposed a complete replacement to high-rigidity 2-section ladders (such as the HD2 series) that match the maximum working height of the site. Upon implementation, Hasegawa’s professional staff visited the site and conducted a practical safety training session in the local language (Vietnamese) targeting 30 workers and site supervisors regarding the “correct extension operations, rope termination treatment, and the importance of a 75-degree installation angle.”
-
【After: Results Post-Implementation】 After implementing Hasegawa’s 2-section ladders, complaints from workers regarding “shaking and deflection” were completely resolved. With a stable footing, the speed of external wall screw fastening and sealing work at heights increased, improving overall construction efficiency by 15%. Furthermore, by making “extension lock verification” a routine during morning assemblies, occupational accidents and near-misses related to extension ladders have continued to remain at “zero” even now, two years after implementation. The purchasing manager also highly praised the product, stating, “Because of its high durability, it resulted in a reduction of frequent replacement costs, leading to total expense savings.”
Why Hasegawa is Chosen: Overwhelming Reliability
Rigorous Quality Control and International Certifications (JIS, TCVN, EN131 Compliance)
Hasegawa Vietnam’s products are not just ladders that look good. They are manufactured by transferring the safety standards that Japan’s Hasegawa Kogyo has cultivated for over half a century directly to our own factory in Vietnam.
All products clear overload tests at several times the maximum weight capacity, joint strength tests for rungs, and repetitive operation tests for locking hardware. They comply with and conform not only to Japanese JIS standards but also to Vietnamese standards (TCVN) and international EN131 certifications, guaranteeing quality that can be presented with confidence during strict factory audits and construction site OSH inspections required by foreign-affiliated companies (Japanese, American, European).
Customization and Swift After-Sales Support Structure Local to Vietnam
Unlike imported products or products from one-way distributors, Hasegawa maintains a solid manufacturing and support base within Vietnam.
-
Customization: We respond swiftly local to Vietnam for customization (custom design) tailored to site-specific needs, such as “attaching special wall-resting hardware to the top of the ladder to avoid factory piping” or “adjusting the length of a 3-section ladder to fit a narrow space.”
-
Substantial After-Sales Care: Even in cases where the extension rope wears out due to long-term use or the pulley movement degrades, we speedily supply genuine replacement parts from Hasegawa Vietnam and guide you on maintenance methods. We have established a system that prevents products from being treated as disposable, maintaining high safety over the long term.
Summary
2-section and 3-section ladders are excellent tools that increase the efficiency of high-altitude work, but their safety is guaranteed only when two factors come together: “selection of equipment with reliable quality” and the “correct extension operation by each individual worker.” Pre-work appearance inspection, smooth pulling up, checking for even left-and-right engagement of the locking hardware, and strict adherence to a 75-degree leaning angle. Thoroughly implementing these basics connects directly to protecting the lives of the workers on-site who support the growth of Vietnam.
Hasegawa Vietnam is not just a company that sells high-quality aluminum ladders, but a partner that creates a safety culture on-site together with you. If you are a safety manager feeling even a slight anxiety (deflection, loose locks, aging) regarding the ladders you currently use, or a purchasing manager looking for equipment that satisfies safety standards for a new project, please feel free to consult Hasegawa Vietnam. We will propose the optimal safety solution for your site.