Step Ladders - Basic Safety Tips
Step ladders, also known as a-frame ladders, are usually short and designed for low-lying to medium areas in the household where a step stool will not do the job.
They can help out in basic tasks, but they can also pose a danger if not properly used.
While in earlier years most were made of wood, today they are made out of either steel or high grade plastic.
If it is made out of wood, before you use it you should visually inspect it.
Wood ladders are prone to decay and rot and can easily break if in disrepair.
Check for warping, especially around the feet of the ladder.
This can make the ladder wobble and become very unsteady.
If that is the case, toss the ladder and buy another made out of a higher quality material.
Before going up this type of ladder, make sure that it is in the fully locked position.
Don't just trust the sound of a snap to guide you; visually inspect it.
While a second person is not usually needed to use step ladders, it still is a good idea for somebody to know that you are working up top.
This is especially true around doorways and other high traffic areas where people go in and out.
Make sure the surface is on is even and slip free; move carpets out of the way that could snag or bundle up.
And do not let anybody (especially children) go underneath the ladder while working.
It's more than bad luck; it's bad safety.
Some contain a platform to hold either tools or a paint jar for painting jobs.
Place the paint on the platform, making sure it is fully locked, before going up.
Goggles can work wonders here, as a drop of paint in the eye can cause a person to go backwards and fall off.
If working on an electrical outlet with a metal one, make sure that the ladder has rubber feet for insulation.
Step ladders have their own difficulties and safety issues, and some of them are more apparent than others.
While not as difficult as an extending ladder, they can still pose problems for the unwary.
Take the time to explore the issues, plan properly, and you can be just as safe in the air as you are on the ground.
They can help out in basic tasks, but they can also pose a danger if not properly used.
While in earlier years most were made of wood, today they are made out of either steel or high grade plastic.
If it is made out of wood, before you use it you should visually inspect it.
Wood ladders are prone to decay and rot and can easily break if in disrepair.
Check for warping, especially around the feet of the ladder.
This can make the ladder wobble and become very unsteady.
If that is the case, toss the ladder and buy another made out of a higher quality material.
Before going up this type of ladder, make sure that it is in the fully locked position.
Don't just trust the sound of a snap to guide you; visually inspect it.
While a second person is not usually needed to use step ladders, it still is a good idea for somebody to know that you are working up top.
This is especially true around doorways and other high traffic areas where people go in and out.
Make sure the surface is on is even and slip free; move carpets out of the way that could snag or bundle up.
And do not let anybody (especially children) go underneath the ladder while working.
It's more than bad luck; it's bad safety.
Some contain a platform to hold either tools or a paint jar for painting jobs.
Place the paint on the platform, making sure it is fully locked, before going up.
Goggles can work wonders here, as a drop of paint in the eye can cause a person to go backwards and fall off.
If working on an electrical outlet with a metal one, make sure that the ladder has rubber feet for insulation.
Step ladders have their own difficulties and safety issues, and some of them are more apparent than others.
While not as difficult as an extending ladder, they can still pose problems for the unwary.
Take the time to explore the issues, plan properly, and you can be just as safe in the air as you are on the ground.
