Another week and another opportunity for the eagle eyed amongst us to spot another flout of Health and Safety guidelines. This week sees us in a UK town where the back of a pick up truck is being used to place a ladder in order to gain additional height.

What is wrong here – we hope we didn’t hear you say!

Of course, ladders should always be placed on a reliable surface before using them. This is for obvious reasons such as slipping or the ground itself not suitable to place a ladder such as a small area such as a porch roof.

Clearly the back of a pick up truck is a bad idea as the ladder could slip causing a serious accident or the vehicle could move or be hit whilst the ladder is in use. Securing a ladder safely is one of the most important considerations when using a ladder as failure to do so could cost you your life.

Making sure the ladder itself is long enough for the job is also important. It goes without saying really! If you do different tasks around the home or work with ladders, it will be worth your while purchasing an extension ladder which will ensure you will be able to reach most reasonable heights without compromising your safety.

It is easy for a ladder accident to occur – never take the risk

It is never a good idea to knowingly take a risk with a ladder. Ladder accidents can and do occur accidentally. Never put yourself in a position where you risk serious injury or even death. The good news is, ladder accidents are preventable – here are some tips:

• Inspect the ladder before use

Whether you use your ladder occasionally or every day, check for damage before using it. Whether it’s a loft ladder or a multi purpose ladder, check it first. In December 2014, a woman was fatally injured whilst retrieving Christmas decorations from the loft. She stood on a ladder rung that had a single crack in it and it broke while she was standing on it.

Always inspect your ladder for damage and make sure all the locks are in position before using it. Never use a damaged ladder.

• Check the weight capacity

Ladders do have limitations – one of the main ones being the amount of weight they are designed to carry. It is important that the weight capacity is not exceeded. It is not just your own weight though that you need to consider – tools and materials can add to this weight significantly. If you use or carry weighty tools on your ladder such as paint pots, be sure do not exceed weight capacity as this can lead to frame failure, broken rungs and strain on the locks.

Check the weight capacity of your ladder and ensure it is not exceeded.

• Use a ladder correctly

Only use a ladder in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Never be tempted to alter or lengthen it yourself. Simple mistakes often contribute to ladder accidents – be sure to keep 3 points of contact on the ladder at all times to avoid over balancing and never over reach. If you need to reach an object that is out of reach, you will have to get off the ladder, move it, then climb up again.

• Bad positioning

Always ensure your ladder is placed on a reliable surface that is free of debris such as wet leaves, gravel, sand and other building materials. Wet areas such as grass and decking can also be serious slipping hazards unless you use a gripper.

Consider where you are placing your ladder – placing it near doors is a no no even if they are locked and beware of working near to corners. Always warn people that there is a ladder nearby to avoid a nasty accident occurring.

Accidents can be prevented

The most common injury sustained by incorrect ladder use is fractures at 32%. According to the OSHA, 100% of ladder accidents could be prevented if proper attention to equipment and user training was provided.

Ladder accidents can be prevented – you have to take control yourself! 🙂

It goes without saying we all do!

Of course we all know that aluminium is the staple material for ladders unless you work around electricity in which case you may well use a fibreglass ladder.

Wooden ladders are now firmly in the past – or so we thought until we spotted this relic on the internet – apparently spotted in Lithuania. Here it seems that wood and nails are not wasted and are constructed into ladders such as this! Whilst the picture might look quaint with a nice feeling of mountains and chalets to it, the message behind it is quite dangerous.

Wooden ladders as a rule are not safe

Firstly – wooden ladders are not safe ladders. Whilst it would be very unusual indeed to see a home crafted ladder in the UK, there are still wooden ladders in peoples garages to this day. At one time, wooden ladders were the norm, but have long been redundant following the superiority of aluminium.

Wooden ladders are dangerous:

• Wood can split, buckle and cause injuries such as splinters
• The rungs can wear quickly and snap
• No grip underfoot on the rungs
• Not fire proof
• No rubber feet

In addition to the physical dangers present, wooden ladders do not carry any form of certification which means that they’re not safe to use even for DIY tasks. A ladder should never be purchased without any form of certification such an EN131 which is European Trade/DIY standard. BS2037 is the Industrial Standard to look for if you plan to use your ladders to carry out your job. Never accept anything other than these approved UK safety standards. Not every country is as stringent in safety standards as the UK.

We mentioned that wood as a rule is not safe – the exception to this is if you are purchasing a wooden ladder which meets the tough safety standards. One such example is our wooden single section/pole ladders. Normally ladders like these are used on scaffolding or other industrial applications, naturally they meet the Industrial standard of certification as they toughened steel rods under each rung as well as two coats of preservative so the ladder can withstand the harshest of environments.

If you have a wooden ladder from days gone by still in your possession, it may be time to retire it to decorative use only 🙂

Make sure your ladder is long enough for the job

Here at BPS Access Solutions, we find ourselves repeating this essential safety advice quite often. This is quite possibly one area where we see on countless occasions risks being taken on ladders which are not quite long enough for the job.

In the photo it can be clearly seen that the ladder has received a ‘makeshift’ addition of another ladder which turns in into a form of extension ladder if you like. It goes without saying that this practice is extremely dangerous and should never be repeated with any of your own ladders! The bottom ladder addition appears to be of a lesser quality of wood and is likely to snap under the weight when the ladder is in use. This could cause a fatal or serious injury.

Again in the UK, this practice is thankfully rare. However we receive many photos from our loyal fans of crazy people using ladders in the most dangerous of ways! From using a multi purpose ladder pitched from a porch roof in order to reach the roof to people seen over leaning excessively from ladders when carrying out work on their home such as window cleaning and gutter clearance.

It is not unusual to spot people stacking pallets and boxes too to reach a higher point with a ladder that is simply too short for the job. DIY enthusiasts are often the culprits when it comes to using ladders in a dangerous way. Quite possibly this is because they are less familiar in their use and won’t in general have received training on how to use a ladder safely.

Will the house painting get finished?

It appears that the boarding of the chalet in the photo is being painted….Who fancies a bet that that ladder will be extended a second time in order to reach the pitch in the roof!?

With light nights and warmer weather upon us, we are urging people to be careful in the use of ladders. Barmy Summer nights brings out ladder users in their droves – and with them the less experienced ladder users.

Using a ladder might seem simple enough, however a lot can go wrong before you even start using it. Before you even move the ladder from it’s storage place, make sure you are confident in using it. If you are not confident, do not use a ladder.

Inspect your ladder before using it

Even the more experienced ladder users often become complacent and miss out this important step. Whether your ladder is in use daily or occasionally always check for damage prior to use. This includes checking for damage to the sides, steps and making sure the locking mechanisms are working as they should.

If your ladder has been dropped or shows any sign of damage, do not use it.

How to use a leaning ladder safely

A leaning ladder is a ladder that has to be leant against a wall in order to use it. Such examples include extension ladders, multi purpose ladders and telescopic ladders.

It is essential to lean your ladder at the right angle before climbing it. HSE recommends ladders should be at a 76 degree angle to prevent tipping or sliding. Never adjust the angle to try to achieve a higher or lower working height. Ladders should be able to comfortably reach the job you are working on without having to adjust the angle.

The most common reason ladder accidents occur is due to an incorrect angle being used. Our unique ladder angle ensures that you will always use the correct and safe pitch of 76 degrees.

Never try to obtain extra height by balancing your ladder on items such as pallets, bricks or from a scaffold tower.

Both hands should be used to climb a ladder. Always climb a ladder with the ladder facing you keeping one hand on each side of the rungs. Wear a tool belt rather than carrying tools in your hands as your hands need to firmly grip the sides. You should only let go of the ladder as briefly as possible once you have climbed to the required height in order to carry out your job. Never work on the last three rungs of the ladder.

Never take risks with ladders. If you find yourself leaning to reach other parts of the job, then you need to climb down the ladder and reposition it nearer. There is a test known as the ‘belt buckle test’. If you find your belt buckle is outside the rung area of the ladder then you are over leaning and risk falling or the ladder slipping. Avoiding stretching upwards also as you could lose your balance.

All ladders come with a maximum weight capacity. Check the manufacturers instructions if you are not sure. Most of our ladders here at BPS Access Solutions have a maximum weight of 23.5 stones. Remember this is not just your own weight, but that of your tools also. Equipment and materials being carried can be heavier than what you think.

When carrying your ladder look out for overhead power lines. Remember electricity is a conductor of metal objects. Avoid working 6 horizontal metres to power lines – and never take anyone else’s word that they are ‘dead’ always treat power lines as if they are live. If you are an electrician carrying out electrical work at height, a fibreglass ladder would be a far safer option. Our fibreglass extension ladder is non-conductive up to 30,000 volts and could be a lifesaver should a mistake or accident occur.

There is never any guarantee that a ladder will never slip, however you can protect yourself further by tying your ladder to an upper support. Avoid tying your ladder to plastic objects such as gutters which could come away if the ladder slips.

Poor stability often accounts for ladder accidents and is often due to uneven ground where the ladder is placed. Using a levelling mat can help alleviate this problem and can make positioning your ladder on uneven or sloping ground far safer. Our levelling mat also provides additional grip and prevents the ladder from sliding or slipping from beneath you.

Using a step ladder safely

Many people think that a step ladder is safer than a leaning ladder, however they can present the same dangers particularly if they are set up incorrectly.

There is more scope for instability issues with step ladders, so be sure to check that all four feet are in contact with the ground.

Avoid using heavy tools and materials when using a step ladder. They are designed for light work.

The over reach rules are the same on a step ladder – don’t over reach or stretch. Avoid using the top 3 steps unless there is a handrail provided.

Do not use the step ladder if you are in any doubt about it’s safety.

Keep both feet on the step ladder at all times and one hand. If both hands are needed, use the stepladder to support your body. Always work with the job facing you, never work from the side or leaning over.

Follow our safety tips….

and you will avoid a ladder accident this Summer. Always follow these safety tips regardless of when you use your ladder and you will avoid some of the most common ladder accidents.