Winter Ladder Use: How To Be Safe

Homeowners tend to do more DIY work or use Ladders to decorate their homes around Christmas and New Year's. Weather conditions in the winter can make it hazardous to work outside or at height. In today's blog, we will discuss how to use ladders and steps safely during the winter months so that accidents and fatalities can be avoided.

BE CAREFUL WHEN CHOOSING A LADDER

To complete your task safely, the ladders should be long enough to reach the height you need. When you are buying a ladder, be sure that it will hold your weight and anything you intend to take up the ladder. Every ladder is rated and clearly marked with its maximum weight capacity.

INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY

It is always a good idea to inspect a ladder before using it, but this is especially important during winter. Make sure the ladder is free of damage, grease, filth, oil, ice, and snow before climbing it. You can easily inspect your ladders with ladder tag holders and inspection tags available at the Ladder Store Co.

ASSESS THE AREAS YOU WILL BE WORKING IN.

During the autumn and winter months, make sure your work area is free of leaves, trash, snow, and ice. These elements contribute to a slippery surface. Ensure that your ladder is not resting on fallen leaves or frozen grass before you begin. Uneven surfaces can result from ice and snow accumulation on the ground. You should never place a ladder on a slanted surface. A ladder should never be placed directly on top of snow or ice since the risk of tipping over is very high. Do whatever you can to relocate the ladder; otherwise, use a snow shovel to remove the snow and ice.

HOW TO USE AN EXTENSION LADDER IN THE SNOW AND ICE

Buildings or sturdy structures are needed to support extension ladders. You should proceed with caution when erecting equipment as you have to climb a ladder to remove snow or ice from a roof. Wear gloves when working with Aluminium Extension Ladders because the metal can be extremely cold and will cause numbness in your hands and fingers, which could result in a loss of grip.

BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR SHOES AND THE LADDER

It is important to keep the soles of your feet, as well as the treads and feet of your ladder, clean. The hazards may be gone from under your feet, but have you checked the soles of your shoes and the ladder you intend to use for safety? Make sure they did not pick up any dirt, snow, or debris on their way to the ladder.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LADDER SAFETY

When working on a ladder, do not overextend yourself. You can avoid overexerting yourself on a Telescopic Ladder by ensuring your belt buckle is not outside the stiles. Working your way down the ladder is always the best option if you find yourself having to go above and beyond to accomplish a task.

• Bringing the ladder closer to the workplace is a good idea.

• Complete the task safely by using a higher ladder or different equipment.

The ladder should be angled at 75 degrees. At this time of year, it is vital to remember the essentials. You can easily lose sight of the dangers involved in using a ladder or a step on a daily basis while getting caught up in the winter elements. By reading our previous blog posts, you can refresh your memory on all of the common safety hazards and dangers when working with ladders.

A LADDER TO STORE

Ladders should always be hung from a horizontal position on a rack or wall mount when being stored. Make sure the Step Ladders are supported every 2 meters to prevent drooping.

SAFETY MATS ARE A MUST

Due to the lack of friction between a ladder and ice or snow, you shouldn't place it on top of those surfaces. To ensure a solid footing, ladders should be placed on a level, strong surface. As a result of its brittle nature, snow can be easily shifted. Despite appearing solidly in place on top of the snow, Fibreglass Ladders placed on top of snow may begin to shift as you climb up, causing you to lose your balance and fall.

When climbing a ladder on ice, even the slightest movement can cause the ladder to fly in any direction, owing to the slippery nature of ice. Don't risk your lives! Designed to prevent ladder slippage, Ladder Store UK has been tested on a variety of surfaces, including ice.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we recommend that you make sure you are always using your ladder on solid ground that does not have any ice, snow, or leaves which can cause the ground to be slippery. If this is unavoidable for any reason, then we recommend using Loft Ladders to assist in your safety