In the last article we stated the first three things you should take into consideration when using a ladder. Here we will discuss a few aspects of using the ladder correctly and mention the three points of contact rule.

How to use a ladder

Firstly, it is important that you grip the ladder tightly when climbing. Then always keep three points of contact with the ladder, for example, when working from the ladder, make sure both feet are firmly positioned and one hand is holding the ladder while the other hand does the work.

When working on a ladder, the maximum time you should spend working should be between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the task. Remember to never overreach, a good tip is to be aware where your belt buckle is and never move this from between the stiles. Only carry light materials and tools up a ladder, the total weight of these should not exceed 10kg.

If you need to take both hands off the ladder to complete a task, such as holding a nail before using a hammer, you should make sure that you use additional methods to prevent a fall, such as a fall arrest system.

Working at height comes with inherent risks, however if you take the necessary steps when working at height you can minimise this risk, not just to yourself but to others too.

Three important considerations must always be made before using a ladder. We will discuss these below.

Can I work at height?

Before using a ladder, one of the most important things you need to think about is your own physical condition. Are you well enough to use the ladder? Do you have enough mobility to climb the ladder with ease and descend the ladder when necessary? Are you used to working at height? These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself, there are of course others, however, if in doubt don’t put yourself at risk.

Assess the condition of the ladder

Before using a ladder, you must always check it for defects. Check the rungs are undamaged and clean. Look at the stiles carefully and check the points where the rungs attach. Check the feet of the ladder are in good condition and have a good tread. If the ladder is an extension ladder, make sure all the fastenings and clips are secure.

Check the position of the ladder

It is really important that you use the right ladder for the job. Place the ladder in the position it will be used and then check that the surface is firm, the surface is level, there are no wet or slippery surfaces and the ladder will not move at the top or bottom. The ladder should be at an angle of 75° to the wall and should rest on a strong point at the top of the ladder.

We will discuss how to use the ladder safely in the next article.

A dad of three from Four Oaks, Birmingham, is thanking his lucky stars that he lived to see the birth of his third child, after a horrific accident which saw him impaled on a ladder.

Whilst carrying out a spot of DIY at home, Simon Matthews slipped and fell off his set of ladders- which resulted in two severe punctures to his chest.

The punctures were caused by the ladder’s supporting bracket- which pierced through his skin with alarming ease.

Ambulance crew, fire crew and an air ambulance attended the scene- where Simon had to be cut free from the ladder and airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital.

Simon, who spent just one night in hospital following the incident, is still thankful that his injuries weren’t worse and said:

“I know I was lucky. The metal went straight through the muscle, but it was inches away from being fatal.
“The fire crew were great, they had to cut me free of the ladder before I was taken to hospital.
“In a situation like that you just want to know what is happening and they were so reassuring and told me what I wanted to know, they were just brilliant.
“Near to where I was being treated in the hospital were British soldiers who had been injured in Afghanistan.
“To see those young soldiers was an extremely humbling experience.”

Following his harrowing experience, Simon has vowed to hold fundraising events through his business- with proceeds going to the Midlands Air Ambulance Service, who played such a vital role in saving his life.

Heaton based firm DC Kennedy Homes have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £15,000, after the death of one of their workers.
Ian Smith fell to his death whilst working on a house building project for the firm, when the ladder that he was using gave way.

During the hearing at Manchester Crown Court, the jury heard how Mr Smith was working on the second floor of a newly built home, using just a ladder to reach the area, as stairs had not yet been installed.
The ladder, which should not have been used in the first instance, was not stable and was missing its vital rubber feet- a must for all ladders.

DC Kennedy Homes admitted their guilt, and admitted that they didn’t comply with Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

HSE Principal Inspector for Greater Manchester, Polly Tomlinson, stated:

“This was a tragic incident that could easily have been prevented if DC Kennedy Homes had put more thought into the safety of its employees.
“The ladder Ian Smith used was dangerous as the rubber feet were missing and it wasn’t tied to the wall to stop it slipping.”
“I hope this case will act as a warning to other house building companies to improve their safety standards, to prevent more people dying at work in the future.”

This latest incident yet again highlights the dangers that workers face when using ladders and working at heights, and shows the devastating consequences of what can happen when precautions are not taken.

A workman plunged into an empty water tank last week, after taking a horrific tumble off his ladder.

Firefighters had to rescue the 52 year old victim, who hasn’t been named, after a simple painting job turned into a nasty nightmare. The man was giving a steel tank at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley a fresh lick of paint, when he lost his balance and fell head first.

Luckily, a colleague saw the incident and frantically called for help.

A source explained:

“It was a nasty accident. It’s not yet clear exactly how this guy managed to fall off the ladders but he took quite a tumble.
“Before he landed at the bottom of the water tank, his head battered a piece of piping and that caused a deep gash. His workmate tried to help him, despite the fact he must have been badly shaken himself by what happened.
“The victim was left dazed and groggy and he was in a state of shock, so the firefighters had to rescue him.”

This is just the latest in a long line of incidents that demonstrate just how important it is to take extra care when working with ladders.

Department store giant Debenhams have been fined a whopping £25,000 after one of their employees suffered horrendous injuries when he fell from a ladder when carrying out routine DIY in their Warrington store.

Richard Lindsey, who had worked for Debenhams for over 15 years, fell from the stepladder when changing ceiling lighting. However, what Debenhams failed to do was ensure that Mr Lindsey had a proper mobile working platform in order to change the lights, as well as an area cordoned off from customers.

Speaking at Warrington Crown Court, Judge Stephen Clarke summed up:

“It’s quite apparent that Debenhams is a company which takes the health and safety of employees and customers very seriously.
“He was obviously left to his own devices.
“He clearly chose to carry out the job in the way he did. It involved using a standard set of ladders. He had to stand on the top rung of the ladders.
“It is quite clear to this court that is not a safe system.
“Support clearly should have assessed the risk, those stepladders were clearly inadequate. Proper equipment was available.”

In addition to the £25k fine, Debenhams were also ordered to pay out nearly £7,000 in prosecution costs as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

When undertaking any kind of building or construction project, you will always need a sturdy and reliable ladder. More importantly, however, is that you use the right type of ladder, one that is specially designed for your particular job.

Types of ladders

• Stepladders - These are one of the most standard types of ladders available. Step ladders can be used when reaching storing spaces indoors, or even when hanging pictures on the wall.
• A-Frame ladders –A-frame ladders are taller, and can elevate the user up to four vertical feet. This type of ladder is one of the most versatile; use it for changing lightbulbs, painting, reaching high shelves and many more uses. A-frame ladders, like stepladders, generally have fairly wide steps to ensure stability.
• Extension ladders – These are essential pieces of equipment for exterior home repair or improvement. They can be extended to many feet above their one-segment storage length, and can be used for painting the sides of houses, loft conversions, conducting roof and other exterior maintenance.
• Roofing ladders – A specialist type of extension ladder. Whilst extension ladders lean against a wall or other supporting surface, roofing ladders extend to a few feet above the roof edge for better access. They often have special hooks or hand grips to ensure extra safety at such a height.

Remember; choose the right ladder for the right job!

No matter what season it is, the gutters on your roof will require maintenance from time to time. Unless you encounter a difficult problem, and in that case you should consult a professional, then you should be able to carry out this maintenance yourself using a ladder and the right tools.

Clearing gutters
This is one of the easiest tasks to complete. When your gutters become clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris, you simply have to climb your ladder, rinse the gutters with a hose, and use a scrubbing brush on stubborn areas.

Installing time-saving systems
If you don’t want to be climbing up and down your ladder to clean your gutters, consider installing leaf-catching systems or mesh screens. You still have to clean them, but not as often.

Resealing
Repairing sealant that has failed can be undertaken fairly easily, especially if you have aluminium gutters.

Remember, if you decide to undertake any of these small maintenance jobs yourself, make sure to be very careful on your ladder. Be aware of proper ladder placement and use, and check the ladder before use. Using an inferior ladder is just asking for trouble, so invest in a high-quality, reliable one immediately.

You might not have a loft ladder because you may consider your loft hatch to be too small or the access restricted due to the layout of the room where the loft hatch is fitted. In some of these instances you would be right in thinking that a conventional loft ladder might not work. However have you considered a concertina loft ladder?

Concertina loft ladders can be fitted to loft hatches where conventional loft access solutions will not work and can still support a weight of around 150kg. They have rubber coated non-slip treads and have an anodised finish so are rust resistant. This type of loft ladder has a twin spring system that supports its weight when it is lowered and has an adjustable base position giving maximum flexibility regarding space in the room below.

The concertina loft ladder is available in four sizes and is supplied fully assembled meaning it can be fitted to your existing loft hatch with ease. It even comes with a kit that enables your existing hatch to be retrofitted to swing into the room.

The concertina loft ladder is an excellent product and the perfect solution when a conventional loft ladder might not work.

If you don’t already own a ladder then perhaps a combination ladder would be the best choice to make. It can perform all the functions of a freestanding ladder, a stepladder and an extension ladder in one complete package.

If you choose a combination ladder you can adapt the ladder to the specific job that you are doing, whether indoors or outdoors, and with many now having non-slip rungs, large rubber feet and additional platform steps they have never been easier, or safer to use.

Most online ladder stores can cater to your specific needs and can advise you on the right type of ladder for your application. If you are still unsure, having a ladder that is EN 131 certified for trade and industrial use is a good starting point. This type of ladder used to be known as a Class 2 ladder and most are really strong and secure and can support greater weights than the more lightweight class 3 domestic ladders.

If you don’t have much space for storage at home and can’t accommodate more than 1 type of ladder then a combination ladder is the perfect choice. They are versatile, strong and “the only type of ladder that you will ever need”.