One of the most useful tools for home owners and people who work construction are extension ladders. It is surprising that as many people there are that use them how often they are misused. This can be very bad for the people using them as falls resulting from improperly cared for and improperly used ladders cause more accidents on job sites and around homes and are one of the single greatest factors for people being hurt. By following some simple rules all this could be easily avoided.
Whey you get your ladder out to use it, look it over real good for any broken or missing pieces. If it has bent or broken side rails or any other structural damage it should be destroyed so no one can use it. The common method is to cut it into small pieces rendering it useless.
It should be checked for grease, dirt and other types of debris. If it has these it must be cleaned up so it will not be a safety hazard. Every time it is used this should be done.
Using a ladder is a simple task which generally only requires some basic steps. Look over the ladder ensuring it is entirely closed before moving it to the place you plan on using it. Select a place to put it up that is compacted and level so the feet do not kick-out from under it.
Put the feet of the ladder against the base of the structure it will be resting on. Go to the front of the ladder and moving one rung at a time hand over hand, carefully walk the ladder up into a vertical position. Keeping it braced against the structure will help you maintain the leverage to keep raising it past the mid point. It is generally best to keep it at least 1/4 the height of the ladder away from the structure.
Once it is lifted to the vertical position, walk it carefully to the area away from your wall where it will be placed. Let the very top fall gently against the wall. Sometimes it is easier to do this when you are braced on the back of it with your back facing away from the wall while it falls down. If you need to raise it, carefully pull the rope until the upper fly section is lifted to the correct height.
While raising it, always keep a foot on the bottom rung to prevent it from kicking out away from the wall. Try to raise it around 3 feet above the height you plan to be working at. Make sure the rung locks are properly engaged and it is stable before you begin to climb it.
Good extension ladders can not be beat for getting at those hard to reach places around the house or at work. If not used correctly they can also be quite dangerous for the people using them. Always be careful and use your wits, so the only thing that gets done is the task you are doing.
Whey you get your ladder out to use it, look it over real good for any broken or missing pieces. If it has bent or broken side rails or any other structural damage it should be destroyed so no one can use it. The common method is to cut it into small pieces rendering it useless.
It should be checked for grease, dirt and other types of debris. If it has these it must be cleaned up so it will not be a safety hazard. Every time it is used this should be done.
Using a ladder is a simple task which generally only requires some basic steps. Look over the ladder ensuring it is entirely closed before moving it to the place you plan on using it. Select a place to put it up that is compacted and level so the feet do not kick-out from under it.
Put the feet of the ladder against the base of the structure it will be resting on. Go to the front of the ladder and moving one rung at a time hand over hand, carefully walk the ladder up into a vertical position. Keeping it braced against the structure will help you maintain the leverage to keep raising it past the mid point. It is generally best to keep it at least 1/4 the height of the ladder away from the structure.
Once it is lifted to the vertical position, walk it carefully to the area away from your wall where it will be placed. Let the very top fall gently against the wall. Sometimes it is easier to do this when you are braced on the back of it with your back facing away from the wall while it falls down. If you need to raise it, carefully pull the rope until the upper fly section is lifted to the correct height.
While raising it, always keep a foot on the bottom rung to prevent it from kicking out away from the wall. Try to raise it around 3 feet above the height you plan to be working at. Make sure the rung locks are properly engaged and it is stable before you begin to climb it.
Good extension ladders can not be beat for getting at those hard to reach places around the house or at work. If not used correctly they can also be quite dangerous for the people using them. Always be careful and use your wits, so the only thing that gets done is the task you are doing.
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