When you need to perform work at a height on your residence there are a few rules you should follow to avoid falling down. Did you know that several injuries are the result of people falling down from ladders? Better play it safe! Uncomfortable working positions, inadequate work techniques, or the absence of protective gear may all cause people to fall and get hurt. Here are a few pointers to help you work safely.

The base of the ladder should be on a stable surface

The ladder must stand on a solid, flat, non-slippery surface so as to ensure a stable position. When weather conditions are not ideal, you must be particularly careful as the ladder may be standing on ice, or wet and slippery ground. The ladder should not be positioned on two different bearing points either. You may also use a strap if needed.

The ladder must be firmly secured

The ladder must be firmly secured for adequate support. This is paramount if you wish to make sure that the entire structure of the ladder is stable as you climb up it. The ladder should also be positioned near the area where work will be performed, but should not be tilted.

The ladder must rise above the area where work is performed

When using a ladder, you must make sure that it rises above the area where work is performed by at least 3’ (90 cm) if you want stability as you climb up. Furthermore, during work, the highest surface area should never exceed the top of the ladder by more than 3’.

Make sure both hands are free

For obvious safety reasons, you should always have both hands free when you climb a ladder. You must be able to hold onto either the strings or the rungs of the ladder as you go up. Before climbing up the ladder, you must also make sure that there are no obstacles at the top.