Being aware of ladder safety is essential to eliminate most ladder accidents. The good news is that it is quite easy to be safe. Be practical and be observant of the little things when you are out using a ladder, and you are sure to be out of harm’s way.
Ladders are very useful tools. They make working in otherwise unreachable places possible. Most of the time, it makes the job safer if you are using the right kind of ladder in the right way.
However, there is always a danger when working from high places. This is where the principles of ladder safety come in.
Ladder safety can easily be achieved if you do these 10 simple things before using your ladder:
1. Check and inspect your ladder before using it. To ensure ladder safety, what you should look for in a ladder are:
a. The steps- to see that none of them are deformed or broken
b. The legs- to check for missing shoes and broken or deformed legs
c. The screws and rivets- for loose screws and missing ones
d. Any other ladder parts and components that could be missing or defective
2. Read the product description, instructions for use, and any of the reading material which are packed in with the ladder. Pay close attention to ladder safety instructions.
3. Make sure that you are using the right ladder for the job. There are many kinds of ladders, each with its own unique characteristics. There are ladders for uneven ground, insulated ladders for working on or near electricity, ladders for a steep roof, ladders for firefighting, and many other kinds.
4. Maintain your ladder for ladder safety. There are different ways to maintain a metal, wooden, or fiberglass ladder. This will include storing it properly, cleaning it once in a while, oiling it when necessary, repairing, and even replacing your ladder if needed for ladder safety
5. When using, ensure that your ladder bottom is set properly at a stable base and its top is resting against a sturdy immovable object. This is very basic ladder safety, but one that could easily be ignored when rushing to do the job or when distracted with other things
6. Test the stability of your ladder before climbing up on it. If it shakes or wobbles, do #5 in the ladder safety list again
7. Do not climb a ladder when you are fatigued, sick, and feeling dizzy. Anything that has to be done can wait until you feel better
8. Secure any material that you bring up with you so they don’t fall on anyone or even yourself. Some of the ladder accidents involve falling materials.
9. Evaluate all the possible risks involved in using a ladder. If ladder safety will be compromised, consider not going through with the activity until all risks are eliminated.
10. Never be complacent about ladder safety. These 10 basic ladder safety tips must be completed again and again, every time you use a ladder.
For more ladder safety information, read on the OSHA standard for ladders.