LADDER SAFETY

LADDER SAFETY

A few suggestions

When using a ladder, make sure it is in good working order and that rungs are secure and dry. In addition, the Home Safety Council recommends that you:

Keep ladder away from power lines.

Place it on level ground and open it completely, making sure all locks are engaged.

Use the 4-to-1 rule for extension ladders: for each 4 feet of distance between the ground and the upper point of contact (such as the wall or roof), move the base of the ladder out 1 foot.

Always face the ladder when climbing and wear slip-resistant shoes, such as those with rubber soles.

Keep your body centered on the ladder and gauge your safety by your belt buckle. Don’t overreach. If your belt buckle passes beyond the ladder rail, you are overreaching and at risk for falling.

Stand at or below the highest safe standing level on a ladder. For a stepladder, the safe standing level is the second rung from the top, and for an extension ladder, it’s the fourth rung from the top.