Safe Stepladder Use
In the previous articles dealing with
ladders & scaffolding security we were talking about ladders themselves and the "ladder safety equipment" that helps people using ladders to achieve maximum stability and safety of the ladder.
But even if you buy quality, sturdy and safe ladder, your safety is very much in your own hands and it depends highly on how you use the ladder.
Safe step ladder usage
There is one very special category of ladders - the step ladders. They are so specific as people tend to underestimate the danger of working on them very much.
With the extension ladders or any longer ladders, OK, people are aware of the danger and they are more or less responsible. But the stepladders - come on! - this can be hardly called the "working in heights"!
People underestimating step ladders safety are wrong. The most of long-ladder injuries are caused by ladder defects. The most step ladder injuries are caused by the ladder misuse.
Regularly, you can see the roofing "professionals" standing on the staging plunk placed on the pair of step ladders, finishing the soffits. With dirty hands it is just the question of time when the wooden splinter or chip of roofing shingle hits their eyes and without visual control people have the tendency to loose balance (just try to stand on one foot on the chair. Nothing difficult? Now close your eyes and bend aside or backwards. Little different, isnīt it?)
When working on step ladder it is dangerous:
- to try to reach too far from the ladder;
- to climb too high;
- to stand on the top steps where there is no support for knees (like e.g. balancing on the very top of the ladder);
- to try to walk or jump with the ladder (funny? people do that often!);
- to use them on the soft ground without fixing the legs;
- to use them on slanted surfaces without using leg levelers;
- and last but not least, it is dangerous to use the steps/platforms as the storage space for your tools, food or beverages...
... people who fell down from the ladder after slipping on old hamburger know what I mean...
