Staying Safe While Climbing a Ladder
Ladders are fundamental tools for doing work at home. You climb ladders to reach high places to do things like paint, clean your gutters, and reach things in your garage. Although ladders are very useful, they can also be very dangerous if you do not take proper care and precaution when using them.
So, whenever you are using a ladder, remember these basic safety tips:
- Know how to use the kind of ladder you want to climb. There are several different types of ladders, and not all of them work the same. There are stepladders, platform ladders, and extension ladders. Know the specific purpose of the ladder you are using, so you can operate it accordingly.
- Always secure the base of the ladder. Never attempt to climb a ladder that is wobbly or has an unstable support below. An unsecured ladder can waiver in the wind or lack the ability to carry your weight once you climb up.
- Never block a door or entrance – even of a window – when using a ladder. This creates the risk of someone suddenly opening a window into the ladder and accidentally causing it to fall.
- Ask for support if possible. Have someone at home hold the base of the ladder while you climb it, so it is well supported and cannot easily move.
- Check your ladder before use. Are the parts secure and sturdy? Check for damage and lost parts. If anything needs to be fixed, do so before climbing the ladder. Never use a damaged ladder.
- Face the ladder when climbing up and down. This is the proper way to support yourself when moving around the ladder. When moving to another location, always go down first, move the ladder, and climb up again.
- Check the ladder’s maximum weight capacity. See if the ladder can carry you up. Understand that not all ladders can support heavy weights.
- Make sure your shoes are slip-resistant to avoid losing your footing on the steps. As much as possible, wear gloves when climbing for added friction on your hands.
- Only climb ladders one person at a time. This will maintain the overall weight limit of the ladder and maintain better balance.
- Preserve the functionality of your ladder by maintaining it well. Clean dirt and mud with clean water and store it properly.
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