Ladder Safety

A good ladder is one of the most useful accessories for the handyman or woman, but it must be used properly. Safety is important whether you are using a stepladder in the kitchen to reach a high cabinet or using a 30' extension ladder outside to paint the house. You can avoid accidents by observing a few simple rules.

You might think some of these rules are obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people don't know how to properly set up a ladder or they think the ladder is secure when it's not. Take it from someone whose family member fell off a ladder while hanging Christmas lights. He caused permanent damage to his arm, and the accident might have been avoided if he secured the ladder properly.

While metal ladders are easier to handle than wood ones, remember that metal is a conductor of electricity. It is important to keep a metal ladder from coming into contact with electric power lines.

Something you might not realize, but you shouldn't paint a wooden ladder. By doing so, the paint can hide defects such as cracks or splits. If you notice the wood cracking, it is better to replace the ladder. Trying to fix it might affect its strength.

The feet of a ladder should be about a quarter of its length away from the wall. For example, a 15 foot ladder should be set away on its feet about 4 feet from the wall. Make certain that the ladder is on firm ground and won't slip. Whether or not you use a wooden or metal ladder, you should rubber-bottom safety feet.

Make sure that the top of the ladder is also braced properly and not on a surface where it will slide. Don't place the ladder so it rests against a screen or windowpane or directly in front of a door. The door can be inadvertently opened and cause the ladder and occupant to topple over. If you are working on the roof, make sure the ladder is thoroughly secured with roof hooks, which can be obtained at any hardware store.

If you're working high up, don't go any higher than the third rung from the top of the ladder. It's easy to lose you balance if you go any higher and it will give you something to hang on to. With a stepladder, you shouldn't stand on the top step. The highest you should go is the second step from the top on a tall stepladder over 3 feet or next to the top for shorter ladders.

A chore that needs both hands, such as hanging screens, must be figured out beforehand, so that you don't teeter on the ladder with your hands holding heavy or swaying objects. You could have someone pass them up to you or perhaps you can pull them up with a rope. If you need both hands for a quick job, grab hold of a rung of the ladder with your leg or pass your elbow through a convenient rung.

When on a ladder, don't try to reach over too far. It is best to get off and move the ladder over the few inches needed. It's not a good idea to hold a paint can while up on a ladder. Some ladders provide a ledge at top to hold the paint can. If there is no ledge, attach a hook on which to hang the can.

If you are using an extension ladder and want to raise and lower it, brace the base of the ladder against your foot. While holding on to the ladder, lift it away from the house with one hand until it is almost vertical. With the other hand, pull the rope that extends the ladder. Remember to check the rope periodically to see that there are not weak spots.

I hope when you are doing projects around the house, whether it's inside or outside, that you remember to always be safe when using a ladder.