How to Practise Ladder Safety

Improperly placed ladders and falls from ladders are the cause of thousands of serious accidents every year. Make sure you use your ladders wisely.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. All ladders should be an appropriate length for the job you are doing. If you do not have a suitable one, rent or borrow rather than putting your life in danger. You should always have hand rails to grasp. NEVER stand on the top of a stepladder. When purchasing a new ladder, purchase the safest sturdiest ladder you can afford.

2. When you are moving a ladder into place, do so carefully. Watch where you are walking. Look for overhanging branches or overhanging eaves that could catch on the ladder and knock you off your feet. Overhead wires are especially dangerous if your ladder is metal and could transmit a serious shock.
   If you are carrying a long ladder, hold lower rungs with one hand and higher ones with the other hand. Keep the ladder upright, braced against your shoulder. Walk slowly.

3. Never hurry when you are using any ladder. Take the time to place it properly, clearing away dirt and gravel to make sure the ladder feet are on firm ground. Brace the feet with boards or spikes if necessary. Stand back and look at the ladder to make sure it is absolutely straight and does not lean either left or right.

4. Know the length of your straight and extension ladders. They should lean at approximately 75 degrees. These ladders should be placed one forth of their length away from the wall that will support them. That means if your ladder is 12 feet long, you will put it 3 feet from the wall you lean it against.

5. Place your ladder so that is it at least two feet above the area where you are working. This will give you greater stability. If possible have someone stand below as you climb. They can further brace the ladder if necessary or warn you of any visual danger.
   Brace longer ladders by tying them off to secure members near the top of the ladder.

6. Against flat surfaces, a stabilizer, that bolts to the top of a ladder is a useful tool, especially if you use your ladders frequently. The stabilizer will prevent the ladder from tilting. It can give you easy window access as it braces on either side of the window.

7. Keep your ladder rungs clean and dry. Make sure laces are tightly tied and out of the way and that the soles of your footwear are clean before you climb. Do not carry anything in your hands as you climb.

8. Move you ladder or change to a longer ladder, as necessary, so your work area is always within easy reach.

[langleycornwell]

on 8/6/2009 I was just way up on my ladder trimming vines. Scary. Excellent safety tips, thanks.

[btriex]

on 12/11/2008 Good tips. Never thought of some of those.