One of the many useful tools homeowners or people who work in construction are extension ladders. It may be surprising that despite how many people use them they are still often misused. This could be bad for anyone using them as even small falls resulting from improperly maintained or used ladders generally cause more accidents at job sites or around the homes and are one of the biggest factors for causing people to be hurt. By using some basic rules this could easily be avoided.
Whey you take your ladder outside to use it, look over it for any broken and missing parts. If you see any bent or broke side rails or other types structural damage, it needs to be destroyed so nobody can ever use it. The best method is cutting it up into small parts rendering it useless.
It should also be checked for grease, grime and other debris. If it has any of these it should be cleaned off so it is not a safety hazard. This should be done each time it is used.
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 up, always keep your foot on the very bottom rung to stop it from kicking away from the wall. Try raising it about 3 feet over the height you are planning to be working with. Make sure your rung locks are engaged properly and it remains stable before beginning to climb on it.
Good extension ladders are great for getting at many hard to reach areas around the home or while at work. If not used right or maintained correctly they can be very dangerous for anyone using them. Use caution and always follow your instincts, so the only thing which gets done will be the task you are finishing.
Whey you take your ladder outside to use it, look over it for any broken and missing parts. If you see any bent or broke side rails or other types structural damage, it needs to be destroyed so nobody can ever use it. The best method is cutting it up into small parts rendering it useless.
It should also be checked for grease, grime and other debris. If it has any of these it should be cleaned off so it is not a safety hazard. This should be done each time it is used.
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 up, always keep your foot on the very bottom rung to stop it from kicking away from the wall. Try raising it about 3 feet over the height you are planning to be working with. Make sure your rung locks are engaged properly and it remains stable before beginning to climb on it.
Good extension ladders are great for getting at many hard to reach areas around the home or while at work. If not used right or maintained correctly they can be very dangerous for anyone using them. Use caution and always follow your instincts, so the only thing which gets done will be the task you are finishing.
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