An extension ladder is a tool for accessing the roof of the house, and who hasn’t prayed while standing on one that it doesn’t fall back, slip to one side, or buckle under your weight? Even a tool so common can pose a great deal of danger, as the following facts illustrate:
Ladder deaths in the United States are the highest in the world. More than 164,000 ladder injuries are treated in emergency rooms every year, and more than 300 ladder falls result in death. Falling from a ladder less than 10 feet is the most common cause of ladder death. Over the past few decades, ladder falls have resulted in triple the number of fatalities.
The statistics are from all ladder usage, not just work-related ladder usage. Misusing ladders is dangerous at work as well as at home. When using a ladder, what should you do?
Ladder Safety – How To Use An Extension Ladder Safely
In this video you can find everything about how to use an extension ladder safely or read full article to know in depth
What is the rule for extension ladders?
Tip 1: Determine the right angle
How many times have you climbed halfway up an extension ladder and felt the ladder slide off to one side? Before starting the climb, it becomes evident that you should have spent a few more minutes setting the ladder feet firmly.
You can climb a ladder safely in any situation around the house, even in a less-than-ideal situation. Our goal is to prevent heart-stopping experiences by providing solid footing and a stable top.
The ladder must be set up correctly at the correct angle to be safe. A steep slope might cause it to tip over backward. The bottom could slide out if the angle is too great. Take special care when setting a ladder at the proper angle if there is an obstacle. Instead of taking a chance, consider scaffolding.
Tip 2: Make sure your feet are secure
Ensure the feet cannot slip backward and establish a level base. The ladder shoes should be flipped on soft surfaces so that the spurs stick out. Decks with cleats can be screwed down to hold the ladder. After setting up the ladder on hard surfaces, clean the bottom of the ladder feet and sweep away sand and dirt that might cause it to slip.
Lastly, tie both ladder legs together beneath the lowest rung and anchor the other end of the ropes at the base of the wall if it still seems like the ladder might slip.
Tip 3: Make sure the ladder top is secured against the wall
The first step is to provide a stable base. When the ladder’s rails are resting against a wall, make sure the top can’t slide. The ladder should have an even top surface. Do not angle the ladder left or right if you want to reach a remote spot.
You can stabilize the top of the ladders with a couple of add-on accessories. The first method involves rubber or soft plastic “mitts” that fit over the ladder’s rails (available at home centers and hardware stores). They keep the siding from getting damaged by ladders and provide a better grip. Another great accessory is ladder stabilizers.
These giant rubber pads prevent the top from sliding sideways on materials such as vinyl or aluminum siding. As well as spanning window openings, stabilizers keep ladders away from buildings so gutters and overhangs can be worked on. Nearly every ladder store sells these. If you need extensive work, like painting or washing, we highly recommend them.
Tip 4: Make sure the top is tied securely
If ladders are climbed and descended frequently, they should be secured at their tops. This is especially important when stepping onto a roof. The ladder will not slide sideways as you step on and off. In addition to protecting the edge of the shingles, the setup we show also protects the edges of the shingles. Screwing the two eye screws into a 2×4 and the 2×4 to the fascia board will only take a few minutes. For future use, you can keep the rig handy. A few small holes can be drilled in the fascia for this extra security measure.
The following tips will help in stabilizing the ladder’s top. If possible, set up the ladder next to an adjacent wall, chimney, or other structure to keep it in place. You can also reinforce the gutters in the area where the ladder top rests if the ladder is regularly set against the exact location on the metal gutters. To secure the ladder with rope or wire, install eye screws out of sight above the gutter.
Tip 5: Make the base level
If the ladder’s feet aren’t level with each other, and on solid ground, it can still tip sideways. Stacking boards, bricks, or anything else under one foot of the ladder will not level it. Under the high-side foot, scrape a shallow trench. Using a hammer’s claw for this task is easy, and it’s almost always available.
If digging is impractical due to the site’s steep slope, or if you want to set the ladder on stairs or another uneven, hard surface, don’t use a makeshift solution. Rather than purchasing ladders with adjustable leg-leveling extensions, buy ladders with bolt-on extensions. Living on a sloped lot will require using them often. Check the manufacturer catalog or a store that sells the same ladder brand to see what’s available.
How to set up an extension ladder safely?
Step 1:
Make sure the ladder is in good condition before using it. An extension ladder could be unsafe or impractical if its rungs, rung lock, or pulley have been damaged. Before using the ladder, make sure it is in good working order.
Step 2:
It is time to move the ladder. You should lock it with the rung lock or another safety feature. Getting pinched or broken by the sliding fly or between the rungs of the two ladder sections can result in fingers and hands getting pinched or broken.
Step 3:
Place the ladder in its proper position. After creating a gap between the foot and the ladder, move it into position (without extending it). Generally, the fly of an extension ladder should be on top of the base–that is, it should extend higher and be climbable.
The ladder base should be 1/4 of its length away from the building to obtain a proper climbing angle. As an example, a ladder with an extended working height of 12 feet (3.66 m) should be 3 feet (.914 m) away from a structure if the working height is 12 feet (3.66 m).
Step 4:
Lift the fly section. You can extend the ladder by pulling the rope if it has a pulley. Manually push up the fly if not. While raising the ladder, ensure that at least one person continuously holds both rails of the base. During windy conditions, extend the ladder with extreme caution.
You should extend the ladder to about 3 feet (.914 m) above the working height when working on or inspecting a roof
Step 5:
The rung locks hold the fly in place. In this way, you will prevent the fly from sliding closed as you climb the ladder.
Step 6:
Carefully lower the ladder to the structure. To prevent the ladder from kicking out, continue to foot it. Maintain good contact between the ladder and the structure on both sides. A ladder that does not touch a structure is unsafe and should not be climbed.
Step 7:
Now use the ladder. Step by step, climb the ladder. While moving your feet up each rung, hold onto both rungs with both hands. During this time, you should not hold any other items. Wear a tool belt around your waist if you need small tools.
How to extend and retract an extension ladder?
Extend: Place the ladder on the ground with its feet braced against the house before extending it. Then, walk the good ladder hand over hand by raising the top end. Lift the ladder slightly at about thigh-level, then walk its base back away from the house once the ladder is nearly vertical.
Retract: It would be safest to hold the ladder by two people so you can walk down it away from the wall, keeping the top close to it but not against it. As a result, if the ladder falls, it won’t fall far before it stops, resting against the wall but towards the structure.
Folding up a ladder is possible when it reaches the desired level.
Release the catches on the extension ladder and lower it to its shortest height before walking it away from the wall while holding the lifting rope.
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