Does the three-extremity contact rule apply when climbing a fixed ladder?

The three-extremity contact rule is a safety guideline used primarily in climbing to ensure stability and reduce the risk of falls. This rule states that at least three limbs (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) should maintain contact with the climbing structure at all times. In the context of a fixed ladder, however, this rule does not apply in the same manner as it does in more complex climbing scenarios, such as on scaffolding or when using personal fall protection systems.

When climbing a fixed ladder, the design and structural stability of the ladder itself, along with the placement and spacing of rungs, allow for safe ascent and descent with two points of contact (usually both hands gripping the ladder while the climber's feet are on the rungs). As a result, it's not necessary to maintain three points of contact, making the application of the three-extremity contact rule irrelevant when climbing a fixed ladder.

This clarification supports the idea that such a rule is more critical in other climbing situations where balance and stability are more precarious. The safety protocols related to ladder use are different and tailored to the specific nature of the equipment being used.