March 6, 2010
Ladders are used by many different people. Whilst they might come in handy at home for DIY jobs and in industry for work related activities, they also have a more important use. They are used on a regular basis by the Fire Service to help to save lives.
Rescue in Port Glasgow
One item in the news that caught our eye recently was a rescue in Port Glasgow. Three people had to be rescued by ladder from a four storey building by the Strathclyde Fire and rescue service after a four storey tenement building caught fire last Saturday evening. The smoke from the blaze stopped the people exiting via normal fire escape routes and when the fire service arrived a number of people were leaning from the windows of the four storey building shouting for help. Using the ladder the fire service rescued all the trapped people who were promptly taken to the local hospital where only one person had to be kept in overnight.
Maintain your ladder – you never know when you might need it
The fire brigade use ladders on a day-to-day basis as a part of their job. They know only too well how important it is to take care of your ladder properly and replace it when any defect is noticed.
March 2, 2010
An ex window cleaner from the West Midlands town of Dudley, who fell from a ladder and sustained broken bones, has backed the Health and Safety Executive’s new Shattered Lives campaign.
Ken Bradley broke both his wrist and hip when carrying out his window cleaning round back in 2006. Mr Bradley slipped and fell from the ladder which he was using, which ultimately led to him having to give up on window cleaning for good.
Mr Bradley explained:
“I felt the ladder slip from under me and I grabbed a window to try and stop myself from falling. But I couldn’t reach. I don’t really remember much after that until I woke up in hospital.”
“It’s the confidence as much as anything. I’d have done anything once but once the confidence has gone, it makes you think twice.
“I can no longer walk as far as I used to be able to and I certainly can’t clamber up and down ladders.”
The Shattered Lives campaign has been launched with the aim of reducing the number of accidents in the workplace- through educating people with a range of useful safety tips. The campaign also highlights the devastating effects that these types of accidents can have, and has been welcomed by employers up and down the country.
February 23, 2010
In the last article we stated the four most common causes of falls from ladders and concentrated on overreaching and the user slipping from the ladder. In this article we will discuss the last two common causes of falls, which are:
• The ladder slips, falls or wobbles
• The ladder breaks
A ladder that slips or falls from its position
Ladders that usually slip or wobble are unfortunately one of the main causes of accidents. The bullet points below will give some tips on how you as a user can reduce the risk.
• Always rest the ladder on a firm secure horizontal surface at the top of the ladder
• Tie off the ladder at the top and the bottom so it can’t slip
• Before using the ladder, always check the condition of the ladder’s feet
• Site the ladder on a level, firm surface where the ladder’s feet can grip correctly
A ladder that breaks
• Check the condition of the ladder before using it
• Don’t exceed the maximum weight limit of the ladder
• Only carry tools or materials up the ladder that weigh less than 10kg
• Always position the ladder at a 75° degree angle to the wall – use the 1 in 4 rule.
If you need any advice about which ladder to use for what job, or perhaps you need a scaffold tower to work from height safely, contact your ladder specialist who will be happy to help with your enquires.
February 19, 2010
The most common falls from ladders can be fit into four broad categories:
• Over reaching
• Slipping from the ladder
• The ladder slips or wobbles
• The ladder breaks
We will try to give some examples of the above instances and suggest solutions to these potential dangers below:
Over reaching
• If your body is not centred between the stiles of the ladder then you are overreaching.
• Keep your navel within the stiles at all times to keep your body in the correct position.
• Keep three points of contact with the ladder at all times. This means keeping both feet firmly positioned on a rung and one hand firmly gripping the ladder when carrying out work with the other hand.
Slipping and falling off the ladder
• Is the user trained to use the ladder? Ladder training is essential so that all users are aware of the potential dangers and know how to correctly use the ladder.
• Remember to keep the three points of contact rule in mind when using the ladder.
• The rungs of a ladder should always be kept clean and in a good working condition.
• Wear the right type of footwear when using a ladder – slippery feet can exacerbate problems.
• Is the user fit to be working from a ladder?
• Check the surface the ladder is positioned on is level, firm and the feet are in good condition.
We will discuss the ladder slipping or breaking in the next article.
February 11, 2010
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign, to try to cut down the number of accidents in the workplace that account for thousands of injuries to workers each year.
In 2009, 40 workers died in the UK due to work related accidents and in the construction and maintenance sectors alone there were 10 fatalities and an astonishing 1,769 serious injuries. The most common causes of injuries and fatalities in the UK are due to trips, slips or falls and most significantly the most number of workplace deaths are caused by falls from height.
The new campaign called “shattered lives” will give as much information to companies as possible to try to reduce these kinds of accidents. The new campaign will feature a dedicated website and help employers and employees locate the potential serious risks in their field and suggest recommended actions to be taken to reduce these risks.
It is always important to only use a ladder for its intended purpose. The ladder must be checked for defects regularly and changed if any fault is noticed. If you have any queries, contact a ladder specialist who will be able to help you with your enquiries.
January 19, 2010
Although ladders and extension ladders can be very handy for conducting essential roof, loft and gutter maintenance and other home-improvement tasks, they can also be very dangerous. Recent statistics show that approximately 1,200 people in the UK suffer ladder-related injuries every year, so you need to be careful when using your ladder!
Following the tips detailed below should make sure that you can carry on using this useful and valuable piece of equipment without becoming part of this worrying statistic.
Tips for ladder safety
• Never climb your ladder when no one else is at home – if you fall, no one will be there to help you. Also, have another person present to assist you and secure the base of the ladder.
• Do your home work – fully research proper ladder placement before starting your ladder-related job, and be aware of all safety guidelines.
• Assess the risk – Consider whether the task you’re going up the ladder to carry out is too difficult for your skill level. If it is, it really isn’t worth risking your life for – use the services of a professional instead.
• Make sure you use the right type of ladder!
When used correctly, ladders can be extremely helpful for loft conversions, laying roof tiles and valuable maintenance on rooftop objects. If you remember these tips, you should be able to safely complete whatever task you undertake.
January 10, 2010
Most people consider ladders to be necessary to reach heights that would otherwise be difficult to reach. But ladders can also be used to climb down from an already attained height. The prime example of course is the escape ladder.
Most people now have smoke alarms fitted in their homes and, because of an efficient advertising campaign from the fire brigade, test them on a regular basis to check that they are working. If you do have a fire at home and the smoke alarm sounds it may be difficult to descend the stairs indoors if the fire has already taken hold. That is why it is so important to have another method of escape from an upstairs room. By using a dedicated escape ladder you can be sure that when fire strikes you have a way to escape from the upper floors in your home without the possibility of smoke inhalation or the potential of putting yourself in more danger by using the indoor stairs.
Escape ladders can be discreetly kept in the bedroom and, although we all hope they will never actually be needed, are the best method of escape from an upstairs room if you have a house fire.
December 17, 2009
Working at heights needs to be done safely and using the right equipment. That is why it is so important you choose the right type of ladder for the job that you are doing.
Here are some hints and tips on how to stay safe:
• Before ascending any ladder you check the ladder for any defects. This means checking the rungs for cracks or damage and generally checking the overall condition of your ladder. If you are unsure about any possible defects don’t use the ladder, you are putting your own safety at risk.
• Choose an appropriate ladder for the height you need to ascend to. You must never over-reach when using a ladder, always work safely.
• If you are using an extension ladder or a telescopic ladder make sure the first thing you do is tie the ladder off at the top to stop it slipping from the wall.
• Check the ground where you will be placing the ladder before erecting it. Make sure the ground is level and firm. Never position a ladder on soft earth – it may sink.
• Use the three points of contact rule at all times. And this does not include your knees or elbows! Either two feet and one hand must always be in contact with the ladder or two hands and one foot when ascending or descending.
• Use a tool belt to hold tools securely this will leave both hands free when ascending or descending.
Your own safety is at risk so you should always behave responsibly when using a ladder.
November 23, 2009
If you are moving home you will have the dreaded task of going into the loft and sorting out the accumulation of all your things before moving day. This task is made even more difficult if you do not have a fitted loft ladder so your access is limited. Standing on top of that old set of decorating ladders is not just silly it’s also really unsafe.
If you had difficulties getting into the loft at your old home than having a loft ladder fitted in your new home is a must. A loft ladder will give you easy access to your loft so you can store all your things, and the trauma of getting into and out of the loft will be minimised in the future. Most loft ladders now have secure treads and grab handles so getting in to the loft is made easy and because they extend into the loft space getting onto the ladder to climb down is also extremely safe.
You might only have to get into the loft once or twice a month but if you have a loft ladder fitted it won’t just be easier to get into the loft it will be much safer as well.
August 4, 2009
It brings a lot of joy and pride to homeowners who can repair their homes without the help of professionals. Whether it is painting a home, replacing loose mortar on your brickwork or fixing the gutter on the roof of a home, doing it by oneself is indeed a wonderful feeling. However, these jobs usually involve climbing ladders to get the repair work done and this can be quite dangerous if care is not taken.
When using ladders, there are important safety measures that need to be taken, especially if you are not a professional. Accidents can be avoided by following a few simple safety tips.
Staying safe when using ladders for any kind of job
• Different kinds of ladders are suited for different jobs. So make sure you get the right one for the job you are going to do
• Thoroughly check a ladder before climbing it, to make sure it is safe. Look for damaged, loose or missing parts and if you find the ladder is damaged don’t use it
• Whether you are indoors or out, make sure the surface on which the ladder is placed is stable and solid
• You should also avoid climbing the ladder with tools in your hands. It is advisable to use tool belts and pockets for keeping tools.
These are just some of the safety measures that need to be taken. There are many more which can keep the user safe from accidents and injuries and following them is vital.
