Sliding Ladders: Who hasn't used one to access the roof of their house, praying all the time that it won't fall down, slip sideways, or buckle under your weight? Such a common tool can still be extremely dangerous and the facts are alarming:
The United States leads the world in terms of scale deaths. Each year, more than 164,000 people are treated for ladder injuries in the emergency room and more than 300 die from ladder falls. Most ladder deaths are from falls of 10 feet or less. The number of deaths from ladders has tripled in recent decades. Now, these are not work-related statistics, they come from all uses of the scale. The point is that ladders can be dangerous when not used properly and this applies to both work and home. So what's the correct way to use a ladder?
Choose the right scale and inspect it
How far do you go? How much do you weigh? What kind of room do you have? Are there any electric wires nearby? All of these questions and more will be answered if you do the right planning! The first way to ensure your safety is to choose the right ladder. The length of the ladder you purchase is the maximum length it will extend. It can be used at any height (in approximately 1ft increments) between the maximum length and half of the maximum length (fully retracted). Know the height to which you are climbing so that you can choose the right ladder. Next, make sure it's designed to support the weight you intend to put on it.
Install the ladder correctly
Of course, now that you have the right ladder you can just throw your aluminium extension ladder against something and hope for the best, but it probably won't end well. Take the time to configure it as it is supposed to be configured. Start by tilting the scale at a 4: 1 ratio. This means that for every four feet of height from the base to where the ladder makes contact with the structure you are leaning against, the base should be one foot away.
Make sure the ladder is locked in place before going up and always, whether going up or down, check the stability of the ladder before placing your weight on it. Never move or adjust a ladder while someone is on it. Too many people get hurt on ladders every year, don't become one of them. Understand the tool and how it is properly used before using it. Sometimes the things we take for granted are the most dangerous things.