Ladders might be one of the oldest tools right behind hammers and possibly spears.
The history of the ladder is boring and unimportant to many of us, so I'll skip that part and we'll talk a bit about ladder safety and maybe touch on some ladder options for you.
Ladder safety is one of the most important things you can have in your head when twenty feet up; well that and maybe not falling.
Believe it or not ladder accidents happen more with those who use ladders a lot more than those who are occasional ladder users.
Conventional wisdom says that is because people who use a ladder day in and day out are more apt to get hurt because they are on a ladder more; this is a falsehood.
Most ladder accidents occur because the person using the ladder is comfortable and lax in making sure that they have done everything correctly.
First off is looking over your ladder before you use it.
Look for any parts that might be broken and should you find a broken rung or lateral, replace the ladder.
Fixing a ladder is a lot like stuffing a rag into a hole in your gas tank.
In fact it's even more dangerous.
Chances are the car might not explode, there is no doubt your ladder will come out from under you.
Once you are sure that your ladder is solid and in good condition, carrying it is the next step.
No matter what kind of ladder you have, there is a balance point on it; this might even be marked on the ladder its self (imagine that!).
Once you have located the balance point, carry the ladder from there.
Some ladders (most now) actually tell you how to carry them.
Because men use ladders a lot more than women typically, there are pictures as well.
Injuries from carrying a ladder improperly occur quite a bit.
Set up your ladder in a level spot that is firm.
True you might have a level spot in the yard, but id the ground is soft this is pointless.
Putting a ladder feet on a couple of 2 X 4's is not an option.
Neither is putting it on a piece of plywood.
Plywood is liable to slip out from under the ladder.
Go back inside and watch the game, try a little later.
Once on a ladder, make sure you stand no higher than where the top rung rests on your thigh.
Yeah one more step up couldn't possibly hurt...
oops.
Are you getting this? Generally there's not a lot to hold on to up high, your ladder is your connection to terra firma, stay as close to is as you can.
Failure to do so could result in a fall or your one way ticket to Paintown- population you.
Ladder types range from a frames to extension ladder and even those cool hybrid ladders that are both and can be saw horses or jet boats or whatever.
The later ladders are nice because they can reach as high or low as needed and do provide some options.
Make sure when using these or A-frame ladders that everything is locked out, this will ensure stability.
Move slow and think before you start climbing a ladder.
When outside make sure you are not near any power lines.
Really most ladders will not conduct electricity, but you still might.
Being grounded is easier than you think.
Speaking of thinking, think safety and you should be fine.
Happy climbing!
The history of the ladder is boring and unimportant to many of us, so I'll skip that part and we'll talk a bit about ladder safety and maybe touch on some ladder options for you.
Ladder safety is one of the most important things you can have in your head when twenty feet up; well that and maybe not falling.
Believe it or not ladder accidents happen more with those who use ladders a lot more than those who are occasional ladder users.
Conventional wisdom says that is because people who use a ladder day in and day out are more apt to get hurt because they are on a ladder more; this is a falsehood.
Most ladder accidents occur because the person using the ladder is comfortable and lax in making sure that they have done everything correctly.
First off is looking over your ladder before you use it.
Look for any parts that might be broken and should you find a broken rung or lateral, replace the ladder.
Fixing a ladder is a lot like stuffing a rag into a hole in your gas tank.
In fact it's even more dangerous.
Chances are the car might not explode, there is no doubt your ladder will come out from under you.
Once you are sure that your ladder is solid and in good condition, carrying it is the next step.
No matter what kind of ladder you have, there is a balance point on it; this might even be marked on the ladder its self (imagine that!).
Once you have located the balance point, carry the ladder from there.
Some ladders (most now) actually tell you how to carry them.
Because men use ladders a lot more than women typically, there are pictures as well.
Injuries from carrying a ladder improperly occur quite a bit.
Set up your ladder in a level spot that is firm.
True you might have a level spot in the yard, but id the ground is soft this is pointless.
Putting a ladder feet on a couple of 2 X 4's is not an option.
Neither is putting it on a piece of plywood.
Plywood is liable to slip out from under the ladder.
Go back inside and watch the game, try a little later.
Once on a ladder, make sure you stand no higher than where the top rung rests on your thigh.
Yeah one more step up couldn't possibly hurt...
oops.
Are you getting this? Generally there's not a lot to hold on to up high, your ladder is your connection to terra firma, stay as close to is as you can.
Failure to do so could result in a fall or your one way ticket to Paintown- population you.
Ladder types range from a frames to extension ladder and even those cool hybrid ladders that are both and can be saw horses or jet boats or whatever.
The later ladders are nice because they can reach as high or low as needed and do provide some options.
Make sure when using these or A-frame ladders that everything is locked out, this will ensure stability.
Move slow and think before you start climbing a ladder.
When outside make sure you are not near any power lines.
Really most ladders will not conduct electricity, but you still might.
Being grounded is easier than you think.
Speaking of thinking, think safety and you should be fine.
Happy climbing!