Which practice best reduces risk when reaching for items on high shelves?

• A. Use a Step Stool
• B. Climb onto Pallets
• C. Stretch to Reach
• D. Ask a Coworker to Hold the Item for You

Answer: (A)

Using a step stool is the safest and most effective way to reach high shelves. It provides a stable, level platform designed to support you while you work, helping you stay balanced and close to the item. This keeps your weight centered over the feet, reduces the need to stretch or overextend, and allows you to use both hands to secure the item once you’re at the right height.

Climbing onto pallets is risky because pallets aren’t designed to bear people’s weight. They can tip, crack, or shift, which can cause falls. Stretching to reach sacrifices stability and can strain the back or shoulders, increasing the chance of losing balance. Asking a coworker to hold the item doesn’t address the reaching hazard and can lead to dropped items or distraction, introducing another safety risk.