Improve your ladder safety!

Every day, millions of people climb a ladder for one reason or another. Some people are staffed with the responsibility of doing this as part of their job. There is nothing wrong with using a ladder, but it is important to remember the dangers associated with doing so. If you find yourself on a ladder for your job, make sure you do whatever it takes to practice ladder safety.

Ladder Safety Tips

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you should do the following when using a ladder at work:

— Make sure it is placed on stable, level ground.

— Secure the ladder to prevent sliding.

— Never exceed the maximum weight limit of the ladder.

— Always have three points of contact with the ladder: two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet.

Along with the above suggestions from OSHA, there are several other things you can do to improve ladder safety in the workplace:

— Follow all labels on the ladder, even if they appear to be overly cautious.

— Only use ladders for their intended purpose.

— Do not move a ladder when a person is using the equipment.

— Do not use a ladder if your feet or the rungs are slippery, such as in the rain.

When you take steps toward improving safety in the workplace, you are doing a lot of good for you, your coworkers, and your company as a whole. The last thing you want is to make a decision that could lead to an accident that causes injury or death.

Source: The Business Journals, “Tips to improve ladder safety in the workplace,” accessed Jan. 19, 2016