What guideline should be followed when working with ladders?

When working with ladders, it's crucial to follow the guideline that they should be used for their designated purpose and within the manufacturer's rated capacity. This means utilizing ladders specifically designed for the tasks at hand, such as climbing or reaching elevated areas, and ensuring that the weight being placed on the ladder does not exceed the limits specified by the manufacturer. Each ladder has a defined load capacity that must be adhered to for safety reasons. Using a ladder outside of its intended use or exceeding its capacity can lead to accidents, injuries, or fatalities.

The other options are not advisable practices: treating ladders merely as decorative items fails to recognize their functional purpose, using any ladder regardless of its rating dismisses critical safety standards, and limiting ladder use to indoor environments does not consider the many tasks that require ladders outdoors as well. Thus, following the manufacturer's guidelines is key to ensuring safety and effectiveness when using ladders.