It’s important to be hands-free when climbing to at-heights work
Hands-free is a popular concept in communications safety. Theoretically, drivers can maintain full concentration and control when they have both hands on the wheel and aren’t clutching a cell phone in one hand.
Moving from one place to another with free hands can also prevent worksite falls. Most workers were trained to climb with the “Three Points of Contact Rule”1 in mind. That is, keeping both feet and one hand (or both hands and one foot) in a stable position while one hand or foot is in motion. So both hands are free to grasp and hold railings or ladder rungs. The practice is fundamental for climbing to work at elevation or any place with railings.