LADDER SAFETY
Ladders are used by almost everyone at one time or another. They're so commonplace, that their safe use if often taken for granted. Unfortunately, injuries sustained by falls from ladders are also commonplace. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year more than 511,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms and other medical settings because they failed to use ladders safely. More than 300 people a year die from injuries related to ladders-that's almost one death per day. Many of these injuries and deaths can be avoided by following simple safety guidelines when using ladders.
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Use the correct ladder
Use a ladder of proper length and workload for the job at hand. Light ladders rated for household use may only support a 200 lb. working load. Extra heavy duty industrial ladders will support working loads up to 300 lbs. A step ladder may work well indoors, but extension ladders may be needed at times. Never use a ladder that is too short for the job at hand. You will be tempted to over-reach or lean the ladder at unsafe angles, increasing your chances for an accident. Inspect the ladder Always inspect a ladder before using it. Never use a ladder if it is damaged, broken, unstable or bent. Never make temporary repairs to a ladder - they may fail or you may forget to complete the repair later. Keep ladder clean and free of debris, mud, snow - anything that could cause you to loose your footing. Moving the ladder Carry ladders parallel to the ground. Hold the side rail in the middle of the ladder and balance the load. Get help moving heavy or long ladders. Watch the ends of the ladder at all times to avoid striking nearby persons or things. Carry stepladders in the closed position. Setting up the ladder Before you use any ladder outside the house make certain it will not hit any electrical wires, tree limbs or any other obstructions when it is extended. make sure the ladder is stable by placing the feet of the ladder on firm, even ground. The bottom of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet that the ladder rises. When standing at it's base, you should be able to just touch the rungs with your arms outstretched. The sections of an extension ladder should always overlap to provide stability, and you should make certain the locks between the sections engaged before climbing the ladder. Before using a stepladder, make sure it is fully open, and the spreaders or braces between the two sections are fully extended and locked. Never place stepladders (or any ladder) on boxes, countertops or unstable surfaces to gain additional height. The highest standing level on a stepladder should be two steps down from the top. Using the ladder Before climbing any ladder, make sure the locks are secured and the bottom and top of the ladder rails are on firm surfaces. The soles of your shoes should be clean so they don't slip off the ladder rungs. Don't wear leather-soled shoes-they can be slippery. Your shoelaces should be securely tied. Make sure your shoe-laces and pant legs are not so long that they extend under your shoes and cause you to slip.
What to do if you fall from a ladder
Ladders are useful tools, but they must be used properly to avoid turning a household chore into a trip to the emergency room or a physician's office. Information courtesy Am. Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons |