DIY Ladder Safety Tips

 

In 2004 The United States department of Labor reported that the number of injuries and fatalities from falls from roofs and ladders had increased. This report focused on occupational injuries that generally occur among trained personnel, which speaks to an even greater safety concern over DIY projects utilizing ladders.

Most accidents occur from incorrect use of the ladder or materials. Before you begin a project make sure that you have gone through safety preparations and are familiar with the tools to be used. As in most DIY projects, the best safety precaution is to think out your task thoroughly before beginning. You should have confidence in both yours and your equipment’s ability to complete the project.

Getting Started:

Once you have decided that you need to use a ladder to complete your project, make sure that you have the right type of ladder. There are many types of ladders all with their own advantages and disadvantages, which may include weight and height limits. If you are not sure that your ladder is the best fit for the job, make sure to consult a professional.

Some general things to look for in a ladder are:

How strong is it?
How tall is it?
Is it made primarily for indoor or outdoor use?
What material is it made out of (certain materials can have unique weaknesses or safety concerns)?
Does it have any cracks?
Does it have a coating such as paint that could cover defects?
Are the rungs secured?
Are the footpads secure and dry?

Diving into your Project:

While you may be eager to get started on your project, please take the time to ensure that your ladder is set-up correctly and that you know how to use it safely.

1. Make sure your ladder is steady. Place the ladder on a surface that is strong and level; also make sure that the ladder is not on top of any slippery materials.

2. If using a stepladder, make sure that the spreader arms are in the locked, open position.

3. If you are using a straight or extension ladder, make sure the ladder is resting at the correct angle to the wall or structure it is leaning on. The angle is normally 75-80 degrees. Or for every 4 ft high the ladder is on the wall, make the base 1 ft away from the bottom of the wall.

4. If using a straight or extension ladder, make sure that the top of the ladder is resting against a straight and solid surface.

5. Make sure that you have at least three points of contact with the ladder when working, such as two feet and one hand.

6. Wear flat shows or boots with grip when working on a ladder

7. Do not carry heavy items while climbing the ladder, use some type of hoist or pulley system to retrieve the items instead

8. Don’t work on a ladder in strong wind

9. Don’t allow children near the ladder

10. Never stand on the top two rungs of the ladder

11. Stay centered and facing the ladder when climbing or working

These ten tips will help keep you safe, however they are not all-inclusive. If you have any questions about your ladder or safety concerns about your project, make sure to consult an expert.

About The Author

Amanda Miller is a home repair and interior design expert. She has reviewed numerous home improvement tools such as little giant ladder systems.

 Amanda Miller

More Articles 

Get Your Home Ready To Sell - Chris Hickman
Have you been considering selling your home in the near future? If you have, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a good long look at your home, using an unbiased eye. After all, a clean, appealing, well maintained home has much better odds...

Rear Projection LCD TV Secrets - Linda Harrison
The least expensive type of large TV is a rear-projection LCD TV. Some projection TVs have three cathode-ray picture tubes (CRTs), which are like smaller versions of the tubes used in conventional sets. The images from those small tubes...

Honda snow blowers - Wildfire Marketing Group Content Development Team
If you're looking for a powerful, well built, reliable snow blower, you can't go wrong when you choose a Honda snow blower . They are built to be simple and safe to operate even with heavy gloves and other winter wear on, and generally require...

The Convenience Of Dishwashers - Kent Pinkerton
Modern dishwashers have all kinds of features today that allow you to customize your wash. Do you have bone china you want to machine wash? Put the machine on a gentle setting. Do you have a couple of huge pots caked with cooked-on food? Put it on a...

Your Farmhouse Renovation Project In The South Of France - Nick Dowlatshahi
You have just bought your gorgeous old farmhouse in the south of France and all it needs is some renovation and 'TLC' to become the home of your dreams! A word of caution! It is often all too easy to become wrapped up in your optimistic hopes...

The Quick and Easy Guide To Kitchen Cabinets - Roger Wembley
I've got a confession to make. I am a construction (for lack of a better word) idiot. We all have those friends who's eyes light up whenever the word construction or the phrase "home repair" pops up. I'm not one of them. They can tell you that a...

Top Ten House Alarm and Home Security Devices - Jordan McCollum
A man's home is his castle, as the saying goes. But homes today don't normally feature ramparts, drawbridges, moats and six-foot thick stone walls to keep out unwanted visitors. Today, a house alarm, and preferably a managed home security system,...

How to Winterize your Home - Suave Brachowski
With the ice and snow reaching into the southern states this winter, is your home protected? In the winter months, freezing rain and snow may cause damage to many homes across the country. With the high rise in cost for heating this year,...

10 Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes - Bob Williams
Dreaming of a new kitchen? In order to make your dreams a reality, consider ten common mistakes to avoid in designing and remodeling your kitchen to save you time, money and aggravation. Over-customizing and inflexibility Unless you have...

Home Improvement - Bathrooms (Part II) - Hans Hasselfors
The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of home improvement bathrooms is certainly no exception. Some bathrooms have tile walling and flooring areas....