Ladder safety when climbing

For those who do not use ladders often, the climbing process can be confusing. However, by following these safety tips when climbing, you can ensure that you are doing everything you can to work more safely.

1. Check your environment

One of the most important safety hazards of ladders has little to do with you as a climber, but with your surroundings. Look at the area where you work. There are some obstacles that don't necessarily make it impossible to work on your ladder, it just means that you have to work more carefully and occasionally compensate to make your climb safer. However, in inclement weather, smooth surfaces or muddy conditions, it is a good idea to consider rescheduling your project for the day.

2. Three points of contact

When climbing or working on a ladder, it is important to always maintain three points of contact with the ladder. Usually, it is two feet and one (or two hands). But in some cases, it is appropriate to use the knee as an additional point of contact.

This standard must be maintained when climbing or standing on a ladder to avoid over-extension and maintain balance. It also helps, so you won't overload your hands with too many devices. For this reason, it is usually recommended to add a tool tray to your ladder to hold your tools. If you cannot add a tool tray, be sure to bring a tool belt so that you can keep your hands on the ladder while working.

3. Wear proper shoes

Now, this may be something to consider before stepping on the ladder, but it is also important when you are climbing. When you climb a ladder, you need to make sure that you wear suitable clothing and protective equipment. If you work in a professional workplace, your needs will be different from what you use at home. However, its relevance is the same.

Footwear is one of the biggest problems when climbing. You need to ensure:

You are wearing shoes.

The shoes you wear will not slip.

You will be surprised at how many pictures and videos we see on the Internet of people using ladders barefoot or wearing flip-flops, sandals or slippers. A good pair of non-slip shoes will help prevent foot fatigue and prevent your feet from slipping off the rungs of the ladder.

4. Go down the ladder

When people talk about climbing a ladder, they rarely talk about climbing down; it is almost always about climbing. It is true that the idea of climbing the ladder has been used in countless tropes and stories, especially about things like climbing the corporate ladder. People like to think about upward rather than downward. However, in the case of a physical ladder, the process of descent is as important as the process of ascending.

Unfortunately, when you finish your work on the top of the ladder, you are exhausted and eager to reach the ground. When this happens, people become sloppy. People missed the steps or moved too fast, causing their feet to slip off. But one of the most serious ladder-related injuries occurred in the last step.

This is a situation we have all encountered before-you usually go down the stairs at night or carrying things. After years of going up and down the stairs, you think you know how long your stairs are. Unfortunately, when you rush down the stairs, you think you have reached the bottom and missed the last step, and you find yourself sliding down the stairs.

Yes, it hurts. It happens on the stairs, but also on the ladder. Unfortunately, for those who happen to be on the ladder, the stakes are usually higher. 20% of ladders are injured because people missed the last step. think about it. 20% of damage can be avoided by observing your footing.