| Man! What a great day to patch that loose shingle | | | | * Wear clean, dry, slip-resistant shoes, and be |
| at the base of the chimney. Sun's out, not a cloud | | | | sure the rungs of the ladder are dry. |
| in the sky, light breeze, high of 87 degrees. Mick | | | | * If you use a ladder in front of a door, lock the |
| took the ladder from the garage, removed his | | | | door and barricade the other side. |
| shirt, and shooed Carol shopping. | | | | * Never use a folded-up stepladder as a straight |
| Five minutes after she was gone, he knocked the | | | | ladder. The feet won't be square on the ground, |
| ladder to the ground. Let's see. The wife and kids | | | | and the ladder may slip. |
| are gone. The neighbors are on vacation. Mick | | | | * Never lean a ladder against a window pane or |
| lives on a street where there is little traffic. | | | | other unstable surface. |
| Mick sat on the roof for four hours, which gave | | | | * Do not climb a ladder if you have been using |
| him plenty of time to fix the shingle, and get so | | | | alcohol, have balance problems, are subject to |
| badly blistered from the sun that he missed two | | | | fainting spells, are using medicine, or are physically |
| days work. | | | | handicapped. |
| Annually, there are approximately 200,000 injuries | | | | * Do not paint a wood ladder. |
| associated with ladders. Most ladder incidents are | | | | * Arrange for someone to check on you |
| caused by a loss of balance, or by a ladder's being | | | | periodically. |
| placed on a slippery surface. Others are caused | | | | Avoiding A Crash Landing |
| by sheer foolishness. Almost all of them could | | | | * Never climb with equipment in your hands. Use |
| have been avoided. | | | | your pockets, an equipment belt, a tool pouch, or |
| Before You Climb | | | | raise heavy objects with a hand line. |
| * For any project involving a straight ladder, | | | | * For added stability, tie the top of the ladder to |
| consider hiring a professional. | | | | a support, or use special devices available from |
| * Choose the proper ladder for the job. Wood | | | | your hardware store. |
| and fiberglass ladders are best for working around | | | | * To climb or descend, face the ladder and grip |
| electrical sources, although any type of ladder can | | | | the rungs firmly with both hands. |
| conduct electricity if wet. | | | | * Keep your body between the rails at all times, |
| * Before climbing a ladder, check it thoroughly to | | | | and never reach or lean too far to the side. Rule |
| be sure it's safe. Look for missing, damaged or | | | | of thumb: Your belt buckle should never extend |
| loose parts. Be sure the nonslip feet aren't worn. | | | | outside the ladder rail. |
| If there is a problem, get a new ladder. Repairing | | | | * Hold on to the ladder with one hand. If you |
| a damaged ladder is taking a risk. | | | | must use both hands, put one leg around a rung. |
| * Verify the weight capacity, and include tools | | | | * If you need to shift to a new position, climb |
| you carry in your calculation. | | | | down and reposition the ladder. Don't try to shift |
| * Indoors or outside, place the ladder on a firm, | | | | the position while standing on the ladder. |
| solid surface. If you must put the ladder on a soft | | | | * On a straight or extension ladder, don't climb |
| surface, place a board under the ladder's feet to | | | | higher than the fourth rung from the top. On a |
| provide firm footing. | | | | stepladder, don't climb higher than the second |
| * Always have a person steady the ladder on | | | | rung from the top. |
| windy days or if there's a question about the | | | | * Be sure the ladder extends 3-5 feet above the |
| ladder's stability. | | | | edge when climbing onto a roof. This added length |
| * When using an extension ladder outside, place | | | | is needed to step safely onto the roof. Do not |
| the ladder about one-fourth of the length of the | | | | climb the ladder above the roof top. |
| ladder away from the wall. For a quick estimate, | | | | * When moving a metal ladder, lower it to avoid |
| place your toes against the ladder feet. Stand | | | | touching a power line. Better yet, never place a |
| erect and extend your arms straight out. The | | | | ladder where it could slide into power lines. Give |
| palms of your hands should rest on the base | | | | them a wide berth. |
| section rung nearest to shoulder level. | | | | * Descend immediately if high winds or rain begin. |