How to Safely Use A Ladder:

No matter what type of ladder you use or what you use it for, it pays to take some extra precautions. Any fall can be serious, and a fall from the height of even a low ladder can mean a painful and incapacitating injury. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in one year 65,000 individuals receive emergency room treatment because of ladder accidents. Taking proper precautions with ladders begins with choosing the ladder. Consider the type of work the ladder will be used for, the weight the ladder must carry, and the condition of the ladder. Most ladders sold for household use are Type III light-duty ladders. These are rated for a maximum load of 200 pounds (user plus materials). If the ladder needs to carry more weight than this, select a Type II medium-duty ladder (225 pounds) or a Type I heavy-duty ladder (250 pounds). Most ladders will be labeled with their duty rating. Buy a ladder long enough for any use you may have for it. You should not stand on the top or top step of a stepladder, or the top three rungs of a straight or extension ladder. Keep in mind that the length of a ladder is different from its usable length. The height these ladders can safely reach is reduced by the angle at which the ladder must be set up.

Taking proper precautions with ladders is an important step in preventing accidents. To raise a ladder, brace the lower end against a wall and then grasp the top rung with both hands. Raise the top end and walk underneath the ladder, moving down the rungs until the ladder is vertical.

Since the rungs on ladders are normally one foot apart, the approximate distance is easy to compute. If the ladder is to be used for getting onto a roof, there should be 3 feet of ladder (at least three rungs) extending beyond the edge of the roof. The ground under the ladder should be both level and firm. Large flat wooden boards placed under the ladder can level a ladder on uneven ground or give a ladder better footing on soft ground. If possible, secure the ladder. One way to do this is to have someone hold the bottom of the ladder.

Other points to remember when raising and positioning a ladder are:

• Never use a ladder in a strong wind.

• The point where the ladder rests against the wall should be flat and firm.

• A ladder should not be placed in front of a door that is not locked, blocked or guarded.

• Before positioning the ladder, check for insect or bird nests under the eaves; the top of a ladder is no place to discover a wasp nest. Be careful about placing against glass windows, thin metal, stacked material that might topple or other surfaces that could slip or fall.

Do not use a ladder as a scaffold or for any purpose except what was intended. Be very careful when using a metal ladder around electrical wires or equipment. Many fatalities occur when a metal ladder brushes against power lines while being moved. Use only double-insulated or properly grounded electrical tools on a metal ladder. To be safer, use only a dry wooden or non-conductive fiberglass ladder when working around electrical wires or equipment.