{"id":4017,"date":"2021-07-27T20:09:10","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T20:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/?post_type=dyi&#038;p=4017"},"modified":"2022-01-12T09:38:35","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T09:38:35","slug":"ladder-selection-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"dyi","link":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/diy\/ladder-selection-and-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"LADDER SELECTION AND SAFETY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For convenience and safety when doing those small jobs around the house, every homeowner should have a stepladder and an extension ladder that is in good condition and works properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you haven\u2019t shopped for ladders in a while, you will find that there is quite a selection to choose from. Here is a list of some of the many different types available: aluminum step stools, wood stepladders, aluminum stepladders, fiberglass stepladders, multi-master (articulating) ladders, aluminum extension ladders and fiberglass extension ladders. For the more serious do-it-yourselfer, there are ladder jacks available that allow you to add scaffold planks or stage platforms to your extension ladders; for bigger jobs you may want to consider just renting aluminum scaffolding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When buying or renting a ladder, consider what the ladder is made of and be careful to select the correct duty ratings (load capacity) for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to the material selection of ladders here are some things to keep in mind. Fiberglass ladders are electrically non-conductive, a great value, and the leading choice of professionals. Aluminum ladders are strong, lightweight and corrosion resistant. Wood ladders are economical and electrically non-conductive when kept clean and dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you climb a ladder to you are at risk of becoming one of the 164,000 people who suffers from ladder-related injuries each year in America. Statistics show that ladders are actually the most dangerous household tool, however most ladder accidents occur because of improper use, not manufacturing defects. It\u2019s too easy to get in a hurry and forget to check that your ladder is stable before you start to climb it. For proper stability, your extension ladder should be at a 75 degree angle. In other words, for every four feet of height the bottom of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall. If you have a 20-foot ladder the bottom should be five feet away from the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do&#8217;s:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Keep your body centered on the ladder. Never sway or reach so far that you let your belt buckle pass beyond the sides of the ladder.<\/li><li>Move materials with extreme caution when standing on a ladder.<\/li><li>Climb up and down facing the ladder and use both hands.<\/li><li>Haul materials up on a line instead of carrying them up an extension ladder.<\/li><li>Examine your ladder for rough spots, cracks, splinters and broken rungs before climbing on.<\/li><li>Maintain your wooden ladders with clear sealant. Your fiberglass ladder should have a lacquer that is not worn or scraped.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Stand above the 2nd step from the top of a stepladder or the 4th rung from the top of an extension ladder.<\/li><li>Climb a closed stepladder; it can slip out from under you.<\/li><li>Exceed the duty rating by allowing more than one person on a single-sided stepladder or extension ladder.<\/li><li>Overreach or try to move a ladder while on it.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also some handy accessories available for your ladders. The Quick Click Stabilizer attaches to extension ladders and has arms that provide a broader area for the ladder to lean on. The Level Master allows you to quickly stabilize your ladder on uneven or sloping ground. The 2 or 4-sided Multi-pocket Tool Holder fits over the top of your stepladder allowing you to have your tools close and convenient. Extension Ladder Covers are rubber covers that protect whatever your extension ladder is leaning against.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>###<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":20172,"parent":0,"template":"","dyi-categories":[192],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dyi\/4017"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dyi"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/dyi"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dyi-categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rosieonthehouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dyi-categories?post=4017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}