6 Safety Tips to Follow When Using a Ladder


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Ladders help you reach heights that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get to. This means that you will be off the ground and will need to take safety precautions. Below are six important tips you should follow any time you are using a ladder.

1. Avoid using a ladder if you feel tired, dizzy or sick. The last thing you want to do is be high off the ground while suffering from a dizzy spell. It only takes one wrong move for you to come crashing down which could have dire consequences.

2. Wear proper shoes. Do not climb a ladder with flip flops. Even if you are only climbing a few feet, wear shoes that are slip-resistant and fit you properly. You are asking for trouble if you do not pay attention to your shoes when using a ladder.

3. Inspect your ladder to make sure it is in good operating condition. If you notice any loose or missing screws or other parts, it’s time to get a new ladder. The last thing you want is to reach the top of the ladder and have it fail and collapse with you in the air.

4. Use a ladder that is the right size for the job you’re trying to do. Check the Duty Rating to ensure the weight of yourself, your tools, supplies and other objects placed on the ladder does not exceed the maximum weight. Ignoring the maximum weight could cause the ladder to fail.

5. Do not place a ladder where doors can swing open. If you must place the ladder in such a place, the doors must be blocked, locked, or guarded. If safety precautions are not exercised in such a scenario, the doors, when opened can compromise the stability of the ladder and could possibly knock it over. You do not want that to happen if you are on that ladder.

6. Place the ladder on stable ground. The ladder should be set up on a flat surface that is dry and not slippery. If the ground is uneven and you must use the ladder in that location, it may be necessary to set up a platform on which to set the ladder. Doing so will be inconvenient, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Remember, it is best to be vigilant when using a ladder because it involves you being off the ground. Whether it’s a few feet or several feet in the air, you will want to practice safety at all times. You can get hurt just falling from a few feet. Therefore, you shouldn’t become complacent because you feel comfortable and have no fear of getting hurt.