One of the many useful tools construction workers and home owners like using are extension ladders. It is astonishing that for as many different people which use ladders, how often they misuse them. This is often bad for the people that use them as falls even from small heights from improperly used or cared for ladders generally cause more accidents around homes and job sites and are also one of the largest factors for people getting hurt. Most of these are avoidable by following some basic rules.
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 must also be looked at for dirt, grime, grease and other forms of debris. If you find these it needs to be cleaned so does not become a safety hazard to use. This must be done every time someone uses it.
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 lifting it, always have a foot on its bottom rung to help prevent it from moving away from your wall. Try to keep the top at least three feet above the working height you plan to use it at. Check the rung locks so they are correctly engaged and it is steady before you start climbing 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 must also be looked at for dirt, grime, grease and other forms of debris. If you find these it needs to be cleaned so does not become a safety hazard to use. This must be done every time someone uses it.
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 lifting it, always have a foot on its bottom rung to help prevent it from moving away from your wall. Try to keep the top at least three feet above the working height you plan to use it at. Check the rung locks so they are correctly engaged and it is steady before you start climbing 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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