As soon as you set foot on the ladder’s
first rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity is working to bring you
back to earth. Therefore, ladder safety begins from the ground up.
Proper ladder setup will help prevent slips and falls. Place
the base on a firm, solid surface. Avoid slippery, wet or soft surfaces. If you
must put the ladder on a soft surface, place a board under the ladder’s feet to
provide firm footing. Make sure the top of the ladder has firm support as well.
Never lean a ladder against a window pane or other unstable
surface. If you’re using a straight or extension ladder, the angle of the
ladder is the next critical safety factor. A straight or extension ladder
should be placed 1 foot away from the surface it rests against for every 4 feet
of ladder height. For example, if the ladder is 4 feet high, the bottom of the
ladder should be 1 foot away from the support surface.
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If you use a ladder to access a roof or platform, make sure
the ladder extends at least 3 feet over the roof or platform edge. Be sure to
securely fasten straight and extension ladders to the upper support. If you
have angled the ladder properly and still have doubts about its stability, have
someone hold the ladder before climbing up.
If you’re using a step ladder, be sure to open it completely
before you climb. If you have to use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or
barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the
ladder.
When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the rungs of
the ladder to climb, not the side rails. Never get on or off a ladder from the
side unless it has been secured to prevent movement.
Never climb with equipment in your hands. Use your pockets,
equipment belt, or a tool pouch and raise heavy objects with a hand line. If
you forget something, always climb down the ladder to retrieve it yourself; don’t
have someone toss it up to you. And never ask someone to climb up your ladder
to give you supplies. It is dangerous to exceed the weight limits that a
specific ladder can handle.
When you descend a ladder, practice the same safety rules.
Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step
off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.
Before you start to haul a ladder around, evaluate the area
where you’ll be working.
Ladders can be heavy and unwieldy. You can strike another
person or object, or hit electrical power lines. Make the ladder as compact as
possible before transporting it.
Carry it horizontally while tilting it higher in front and
lower in back. If the ladder is particularly long and heavy, get a coworker to
help you carry it.
Ladder safety may seem simple, but injuries occur every
year. Below are some ladder safety dos and don’ts:
- Use the right ladder for the job.
- Inspect the ladder before and after a job.
- Read all warning labels carefully and follow directions
before you climb.
- Clean the ladder after each use to prevent dirt buildup.
- Wear clean, dry, slip-resistant shoes and use ladders with slip
resistant feet.
- Don’t stand any higher than the third rung from the top of
the ladder.
- Don’t lean too far or overreach. Reposition the ladder
closer to the work instead.
- Don’t use a ladder as a bridge or scaffold.
- Don’t put a ladder on a box, barrel or other object to gain
additional height.
- Don’t use a damaged or unsafe ladder.
Experts also warn about ladder use in bad weather. Descend
immediately if high winds, rain or other inclement weather begins. Wind force
can blow you off the ladder. Rain can make the rungs and the ground slippery. Bitter cold
can make metal ladders more brittle and can cause other structural damage. If
you encounter bad weather while on a ladder, do not speed up to finish the job
and risk injury. Wait to finish the job until conditions are once again safe.
Remember, don’t let gravity get you down. Practice ladder
safety rules every time you climb to make your work easier, faster and safer.
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