During the Christmas and New Year's period, homeowners are more likely to do their own DIY or use ladders to put up festive decorations to celebrate the season. Winter weather can be dangerous for anyone working outside or at a height. In today's blog, we'll look at how to use ladders and steps safely during these months in order to avoid accidents and fatalities.
Choose Your Ladder Carefully
The ladder should be long enough to reach the necessary height to complete your task safely. Check that the ladder you purchase can support your weight as well as any load you intend to haul up the ladder. Each ladder's maximum weight capacity is rated and clearly marked.
Perform A Thorough Inspection
When using a ladder, you should always inspect it before using it, but this is especially important during the winter months. Before climbing the ladder, inspect it for damage, grease, filth, oil, ice, and snow. Ladderstore has a range of Ladder Log inspection tags and holders to help you properly inspect your ladders.
Examine The Area In Which You Will Be Working.
Make sure your work area is free of leaves, trash, snow, and ice in the autumn and winter months, as these are the main causes of a slippery surface. Before you begin, make sure your ladder isn't resting on any fallen leaves or frozen grass. The accumulation of ice and snow on the ground can result in uneven surfaces. Placing a ladder on a slanted surface is a bad idea. Because the risk of the ladder tipping over while climbing is extremely high, you should never place a ladder directly on top of snow or ice. If you can relocate your ladder, do so; otherwise, clear the snow or ice with a snow shovel.
Using An Extension Ladder In The Snow And Ice
Extension ladders require the support of a building or a sturdy structure to lean on. Because snow or ice on a roof can only be removed by climbing a ladder, you should proceed with caution when erecting your equipment. If you're using an aluminium ladder, consider wearing gloves because the metal can be extremely cold and will transfer to your hands and fingers, potentially causing a loss of grip if numbness develops.
Check Your Shoes As Well As The Ladder
Make sure the soles of your feet, as well as the treads and feet of your ladder, are clean. You may have removed the hazards from beneath your feet, but have you double-checked the soles of your shoes and the ladder you intend to use? Check to see if they picked up any dirt, snow, or debris on their way to the ladder.
Common Ladder Safety Instructions
Never overextend yourself when working on a ladder. Making sure your belt buckle is never outside of the stiles is a good way to avoid overreaching yourself on a ladder. If you find yourself having to go above and beyond to complete a task, always work your way down the ladder and either:
- Bring the ladder closer to the workplace.
- Use a taller ladder or a different piece of equipment to complete the task safely.
With the ladder, make a 75-degree angle. It's critical to remember the essentials at this time of year. It's all too easy to get caught up in the winter elements and lose sight of the dangers of using a ladder or steps on a daily basis. You can refresh your memory on all of the common safety dangers and hazards by reading our previous blog posts on the basics of how to use a ladder
Storing Your Ladder
When storing your ladder in a hanging position, always hang it from a horizontal position on a rack or wall mount. To avoid drooping, make sure the ladder is supported every 2 metres.
Use A Safety Mat
You should not place a ladder on top of snow or ice due to the lack of friction between the ladder and the surface. Ladders should be placed on a strong, level surface to ensure a firm footing. Snow is brittle and easily shifted. When placed on top of snow, a ladder may appear to be solidly in place, but as you climb up, it may shift down or to the side, causing you to lose your balance and fall. Safety applications such as anti-slip devices can help.
Conclusion
To round up this blog post make sure that you are always using a ladder on strong story ground that does not have any ice, snow or leaves witch may cause that ground to be slippery but if this is unavoidable for any reason there are a multitude of products and accessories to help increase safety.