How to Climb a Ladder
It may seem easy, but climbing a ladder properly requires much more than, for example, climbing stairs. It's much easier to fall from ladders, and falls from even short heights may cause serious injury. Safety, therefore, must be a priority when using any type of ladder. Climbing a ladder the right way means being aware of safety issues before and during the climb. Balance and technique should take precedence over strength (and speed) when you climb a ladder. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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How to Climb a Ladder
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Place the ladder on a stable surface (unless this is a rope ladder or similar hanging ladder; in this case, secure it properly to the applicable surface). Examples include a wood floor, concrete and nonslick tile. Avoid using ladders on soft soil and other surfaces that might give or shift under your weight as you climb.
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Check that all hinges are in locked position (if the ladder is a fold-out model). Lock extension ladders as well. Do this before you use the ladder so that the extended areas do not slip down as you climb. You should check the ladder for stability before taking even one step on the first rung.
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Place two hands on a rung at chest height. Place one foot in the center of the bottom rung. The two-hands-and-one-foot method (or two feet and one hand) is called three-point contact and is suggested by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for safe ladder climbing. Always maintain this degree of contact with the ladder.
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Move yourself up the ladder, one rung at a time. Keep your balance centered as you climb. Leaning to one side or the other may cause some ladders to shift, resulting in a dangerous fall. Keep centered by stepping near the center of the rungs as you climb, rather than to one side or another, and facing the ladder---don't twist your body to one side or another as you climb.
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Climb only as high (or low) as you need to go. When you are finished with your task, climb back down (or up) with the same care you used before. Stay facing the ladder---do not lean backward (which can happen accidentally if you look over your shoulder). Maintain your grip on the rungs all the way.
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Tips & Warnings
If your hands are slick with lotion or for any other reason, use gloves with a gripping surface to help maintain a tight grip on the rungs. Shoe soles should also be nonslick to avoid slipping as you climb.
Do not try to save time by skipping over rungs as you climb, placing your foot up two rungs rather than stepping up one by one. It's easy to miss a rung and slip this way. Avoid carrying heavy items as you climb up the ladder. This can too easily throw you off balance.
