Step Ladder Safety
One of the major work horse tools that is used in almost every industry, the step ladder. The issue, people do not seem to understand the safety precautions needed to use a step ladder. Step Ladder Safety
One of the biggest problems is how many people will climb to the top of their step ladder and not think about their safety. Ladder manufactures have created step ladders that can be used at the top and they’ve added a safety element to it.
Another safety issue with the step ladder, people use it like an extension ladder, leaning it up against a wall. There are manufactures who have created ladders that can be used for the same purpose without leaning the step ladder against the wall.
Now let’s talk about the ladder, before using any ladder they should be inspected. Inspect your ladder, make sure all the steps are secure. If there is an issue with one of the steps, the ladder should be retired and destroyed so no one can ever use it again. Open up the ladder the spreaders must be down to keep ladder from closing. Make sure the spreaders are not bent or broken. Look at the side rails to make sure they are sturdy, not cracked or split open. If the ladder fails an inspection and cannot be fixed it must be destroyed, then thrown away and replaced with a new ladder.
Using step ladders correctly, a step ladder was meant to get up to higher areas to paint or fix things. In other words, straight up and down, not hanging to the side of the ladder to reach something just out of reach. If something is out of reach, move the ladder over where you can reach it. Too many have fallen from ladders and have injured themselves, instead of just moving the ladder over a few feet.
On a standard step ladder, the top two steps are not meant for standing on, they are used for the stabilization of the ladder. When you step on the top two steps, the ladder no longer has the stability from falling over. If you need to get higher, then you will most likely need a higher ladder, or another way like a man lift.
Yes, work requires us to get higher and we can do it safely, use the right ladder for the right job. Do not risk your safety using the wrong ladder, there is a great chance you will fall.
