Don't Let A Ladder Bring You Down

Ladders can be invaluable in helping workers reach high spaces. But if workers are careless using ladders, they can cause injuries, even death. Because ladders are so useful, workers often take them for granted. This is a serious mistake - falling off a ladder is surprisingly commonplace.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1997, 24,859 workers were injured and 111 workers died after falling from ladders. Workers can avoid many of these incidents if they follow basic safety guidelines.

It is important to choose the right ladder, for what you are doing and the load that it will need to support. (The working load includes your own weight plus the weight of the materials carried). Ladders are constructed under three general classes. Industrial grade ladders (type I) have a load capacity of 250 pounds and are used for general contracting, building, maintenance and dry walling. The newest ladders in the market, heavy-duty industrial ladders (type IA) carry up to 375 pounds are typically used for industrial work, building, roofing and general contracting.

Because aluminum and metal conduct electricity, do not use ladders made of these materials near power lines or live electrical wires - use a dry wood or fiberglass ladder instead. All ladders should have a UL seal from the Underwriters Laboratories.

When setting up a ladder, make sure its feet are on firm and even ground. The bottom of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet that the ladder rises. For example, if the ladder touches the wall 16 feet above the ground, the fee of the ladder should be 4 feet from the wall. Since the rungs on ladders are normally 1 foot apart, the distance is easy to computer. If you are going to climb onto a roof, the ladder should extend 3 feet higher than the roof.

Face the ladder when climbing and stay in th center of the rails. A good rule of thumb is to keep your belt buckle between the rails. Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder: two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot should be in contact with the ladder at all times. Carry tools in a tool belt, and if materials must be handled, raise or lower it with a rope. Never climb higher than the third rung from the top of an extension ladder or the second step from the top of a stepladder. Do not try to walk @ the ladder to a new location while standing on it. Climb down and reposition the ladder. Only one person should use a ladder at a time.

Ladders are useful tools, but you must use them properly and with great care to avoid turning routine jobs into catastrophes.

If you are a construction worker, make sure that you are provided with a good ladder. Contact SSBWV&G if you have fallen victim to an inadequate ladder.

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