In your profession, ladders are a very typical part of your day. Maybe you’re a janitor who has to clean up elevated areas, change light bulbs and do other types of maintenance. Or maybe you’re a house painter or a window washer who has to climb tall ladders on a regular basis.
No matter why you use ladders, it’s important to understand that they create a significant fall risk. In some industries, like construction, falls are the number one reason for injuries and fatalities. So how can you use a ladder safely?
10 tips to keep in mind
Accidents are always possible, but here are some tips that can help reduce the odds that you will be injured:
- Climb slowly and carefully.
- Focus on deliberate movements.
- Do not lean from the top of the ladder.
- Don’t move the ladder while you’re already on it, such as “walking” it to another location.
- Do not climb a ladder that another worker is using.
- Keep three points of contact at all times, which means not climbing with tools or materials in your hands.
- Use the right type of ladder – such as a stepladder or an extension ladder – for the job.
- Read the safety instructions, especially considering things like how to set up the ladder or what the weight limit is.
- Inspect the latter and how it was set up every time you use it.
- Beware of power lines and other hazards.
A focus on safety can reduce the odds of an accident, but you could still suffer serious injuries in a fall. If you do, then you need to know what legal steps to take.